To the older crowd of AT

[skim milk]

as you were growing up (18-21 years of age).... how did you picture your life was going to be when you become older? how does it differ from how you wanted it to be? did you meet the wife of your dreams? the job of your dreams?

I know people during ages 18-21 have big dreams of how their life is going to be great by the time they turn 30 or something, i bet you guys are thinking what a big joke that is

 

[bootymac]

I WANT TO BE AN A-STRO-NAUGHT

 

[Kadarin]

Nah.. when I was 18-21, I had no clue what I wanted to do with my life. Still don't... I just continue to live and experience it, and it all seems to be working out pretty well now.

 

[fredtam]

I laugh at some younger people when its obvious that reality hasn't quite set in yet. I can honestly say I've accomplished everything I dreamed about. Maybe not on the scale of the dreams but enough to keep me more than content. I'm not wealthy and I pity most of the people that I know that are because they are not happy. Most people I know hate their jobs even when its the one they dreamed of doing when they were younger. I did end up with the girl of my dreams though.

 

[Riprorin]

It's turned out much like I'd hoped for.

I live where I wanted to live and work for the company I wanted to work for.

I wanted a family, and I have one.

I have a well-paying job that I enjoy.

My life isn't pefect, but it's pretty darned good!

 

[AlienCraft]

I managed to do what I set out to do, in the field I wanted to be in. Didn't have the children by 38 like I had planned, though.
So far, no regrets here.
As far as laughing at some of the comments made here, yeah that happens from time to time. I just remember how I thought I had the whole thing figured out and go back to my own life's travails.

 

[Sluggo]

When I was 18 I dreamed of being a millionaire before I was 40.

Now that I am almost 40, my dream is to get my credit cards payed off before I die.

 

[yobarman]

I'm only 20, but i've got bigger dreams and goals than most people will ever think of. Will i accomplish them? only time will tell

 

[Mustangrrl]

I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, and I was too lazy to have high aspirations, but I really surprised myself by having a pretty full, fun life so far.
I've achieved some amazing things and have settled into a job that is really "me," I have awesome friends, and I own more stuff than I ever imagined (not that I'm loaded or anything).
I didn't meet that dream wife though
I just got off the phone with my dad who is pretty reserved (and critical, I might add) and it makes me feel great to know that he is proud of what I've done with my life.

 

[Rob9874]

Originally posted by: Riprorin
It's turned out much like I'd hoped for.

I live where I wanted to live and work for the company I wanted to work for.

I wanted a family, and I have one.

I have a well-paying job that I enjoy.

My life isn't pefect, but it's pretty darned good!

Ditto. One thing to note is that I had bigger asperations when I was younger. I thought I'd rise to the top of the corporate ladder. Now, I realize I don't want to put in that many hours.

 

[kranky]

I was going to be a sports broadcaster, but halfway through getting my degree it was clear that you either had to be a ex-jock, or be willing to pay your dues for years in little towns making next to nothing. Then I figured I'd do newspaper writing, until the day one of the best students in my class landed a job at the big newspaper in the city (unheard of for a new graduate) and was making today's equivalent of $26K.

Money isn't everything, but knowing she was a better writer than I was got me to think about other careers. I could have probably found a job at some small-town paper making $20K.

In short, I never imagined working with computers, or being in management. But things turned out better, actually, than if my original plan had worked out.

 

[Spoooon]

Life is better and worse than I hoped for 8 years ago. By now, I thought I'd have a real job and not still be in school. But I have tons of friends that I wouldn't have made otherwise, and I think I'm a more well rounded person as a result of the ups and downs that have occured.

 

[Ornery]

One thing's for sure. A bunch of you screwballs are going to quit voting for the left, when your heroes keep dipping into your pocket for more and more wondrous entitlements. Idealism flies out the window when you're the one working hard to make a living, and paying all the bills.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Well a bunch of you screwballs may stop voting for the right who decry spending money especially for programs that might help someone only to have at least as much spent on wars not needed, then wave a flag in you face when you question it. Maybe you will learn the value of a person is not tied to their wallet, and that given a man who makes a fortune and neglects his kids, and one who decides his family is really worth more than a bigger paycheck that the latter is the true success. Maybe what is in your wallet isn't so important as long as you meet your needs.

 

[Doggiedog]

Well, I'm doing what I wanted to do but not enjoying it as much as I did when I was younger.

I met the woman of my dreams but didn't marry her.

I WAS a millionaire before I was 30. I stress was.

But the thing that worked out the best was my children. They are beyond what I expected. I absolutely adore them. They are the most perfect children I could expect.

 

[Desslok]

Originally posted by: fredtam
I laugh at some younger people when its obvious that reality hasn't quite set in yet. I can honestly say I've accomplished everything I dreamed about. Maybe not on the scale of the dreams but enough to keep me more than content. I'm not wealthy and I pity most of the people that I know that are because they are not happy. Most people I know hate their jobs even when its the one they dreamed of doing when they were younger. I did end up with the girl of my dreams though.

How true. I see people chasing material things in a vain attempt to ease the loneliness they have. Drugs and sex and that whole live for the now lifestyle is to parapharse a song "only a temporary escape". When you come down all your problems will still be there.

 

[Analog]

Well, I'm on the verge of 40, did I get my dream job? No. Did I marry the girl of my dreams? Not sure, I didn't have such idealistic expectations of that (which is probably a good thing).

I can say this much, looking back, its really not the job that is important, it is not the status or the kind of car I drive. If you think those things will bring you happiness, you'll be in for a surprise.

I've got two great kids, and I have found the journey is worth the enjoyment, not the destination. HTH.

 

[xeno2060]

Carpe Diem!

That is all

 

[ScoobMaster]

I have to echo the sentiments of yellowfiero. If you are one of the "younger ATOT crowd" and trying to map your path through life - here is some advice from one of the "older crowd".

The amount of money you make should NOT be the most important factor in your career plan!!!!!! The key to a happy lifelong career is to identify something you enjoy doing and are passionate about - then find a way to earn a living doing that thing. If you can make enough money to sustain the lifestyle you are comfortable with by doing something you enjoy - then you are successful!

As for my own life - I am not "rich" or "wealthy" in a monitary sense. However, I am married to the most wonderful woman who fills the roles of wife, lover, mother of my son, and friend. We are very happy together, share many of the same interests and hobbies, yet have enough individual interests that we don't "smother" each other. I (ironically) am working as a network technician at the very same K-12 school district that I graduated from(!) If someone had told me as a senior in high school that I would be back in this same district working in these buildings in 10 years - I would have called them crazy (and probably muttered something about sompeplace freezing over )

Always remember that life truly is a journey - and it is one with many unknowns and surprises. The one constant I have discovered is that you NEVER stop learning new things. The most staggering thing I have personally discovered is that the older you get, the more you realize how much you have yet to learn!

 

[Ogg]

I just knew as a 18yo that I would never do the 8-5 work day for the man.
I just knew that I would never get married and have children, I wouldnt have time for it being a rock and roll guitarist. Might not even finish college.



15 yrs later---->
Got my BS and MS in a physical science, almost kept going for the PhD.
Now I have a great job that I love. Yeah its working for the man 8-5, really its 6:30-3
I have a super hot wife!!!!!!!!! and a great marriage, a genius 7 yo son, and a lovely backyard garden where I tend to my pretty flowers and feed the birdies........

Yeah so everything I "believed" didnt quite pan out and Im sure glad it didnt :beer:

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

Graduated from law school? Check.
Got married? Check.
Become self-employed? Check.

Make a $150,000 per year... Coming soon

 

[VTBigBear]

BAH.... meh

 

[edro]

Originally posted by: DevilsAdvocate
Graduated from law school? Check.
Got married? Check.
Become self-employed? Check.
Make a $150,000 per year... Coming soon

Work for Al Pacino: Check.

 

[Salvador]

No.

Sal

 

[JackDawkins]

I thought I'd be dead by now so I'd have to say I'm doing a little bit better than that.