Do Humans Only Work For Money?

Imagine that over the past year, aliens were spying on us from outer space. Two then gathered in their spaceship to go over what they learned. Here’s what they said:

Alien 1: Humans work for money.

Alien 2: What is money?

Alien 1: We are not sure. It is probably a drug.

Alien 2: What else do they work for?

Alien 1: It’s mostly just money. They need money “real bad.” Humans will do work they hate, just to get money.

Alien 2: Why would you do something you hate?

Alien 1: I do not know. The mere thought of it gives me the shivers. Love is what makes the world go ’round.

Alien 2: Huh?

Alien 1: Love is what makes the world go round. We heard a human say it. The expression is very close to our One Great Truth.

Aliens 1 and 2 (in unison): Follow Your Passion!!!

Alien 2: It is a crime to have talent and not use it. How can money replace the Seven Great Joys of Following Your Passion?

Alien 1: We do not know. Humans seem to trade money for many things: food, housing, transportation, clothing, and even the right to watch Avengers movies.

Alien 2: I love the Avengers. They are my favorite.

Alien 1: Me, too.

Alien 2: Don’t humans understand that if you focus enough energy on your passion, it will provide all you need from life?

Alien 1. No. Definitely no. They do not understand. Some call this “being unrealistic.”

Alien 2: Hmmm. How intelligent are these humans?

Alien 1: Smart enough to discover the Avengers, but not wise enough to treasure their greatest talents.

Alien 2: A bit childish, then.

Alien 1: Yes, childlike. That is a good way to say it.

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I see too many people underestimating the degree to which they can control their own future, and overestimating just how much they have to settle for less than their best.

Nothing in life is easy, or without costs. But if you are willing to pay the price of following your passions, you can achieve much more than you imagine.