Quote:
Originally Posted by bcrdukes
At some point in our lives, we all will have to make a decision on when or how to take care of our aging parents. Some people throw them into a retirement home and let them die. Others will keep their parents close by and check up on them, while some will just not give a flying fuck and maybe even hope they die faster (Some people actually posted this on RS so I'm not making this up.) There's no right way or wrong way - it's what you decide for yourself and your parents.
And managing life with no parents or support from friends? Well, again, that's something you need to figure out yourself and weigh out the pros and cons. I often wonder how my parents raised me and my siblings with no help, they were okay. Sure, they aren't as well off as others but it was a conscious sacrifice they made to give us a better life, for better or worse, and they they live humble, but happy lives and have no regrets. They don't let their sorrows and misfortunes be the crutch in how they live; They look forward to the future and what fruits it may bear, and that's how they've managed to come this far.
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I similarly feel like we all have different career goals as well and have to weigh out the pros and cons. One of my friends who grew up dirt-poor (literally), immigrated to Canada for a better life. Fast-track many years lateer, and he's in a pretty comfortable position now working in healthcare making $200,000 per year.
For me, I grew up with my mom driving me to school, paying for piano lessons, summer camps, sports. I wouldn't say we were filthy rich, but there was never a struggle. Which is why I've never been hungry for money.
My career goals are oriented more towards getting a leadership position within a company (higher salary or not), because growing up, I felt like I never really got the chance to take part in things like student council, etc (I was always busy with other activities). Only in the past few years have I really made the effort to try and volunteer more with things like helping run meetings, setup social events, prepare workshops - things that get me closer towards my goals.
Sure, I might not end up making nearly as much as my parents did or do, but I will have surpassed them in areas they never could have.