I seem to be lost...

Both online and in my life. I'm not sure where I really need to post this, but I'm trying for some advice. I've looked over the forums, and I can't seem to find exactly what I'm looking for. I'm sure I just missed it however. If this is misplaced, tell me where I need to put it.

Anyway, here it goes: I'm tired of living in the life I'm in. I'm from an upper middle class home, I've graduated High School, and I'm in college. I plan on leaving all that behind, and finding a spot with people who think like I do, where I can get a fair job that gives me enough time off to hand out with my friends, enought money to buy food and clothes, as well as cover rent, and a society that doesn't shun free thinking people, and people who smoke.

I want to find a place with people who are kind enough to help a person out when he's down, who give a shit about other peoples ideas, who have souls that tend toward art and discovery, talent and skill. I'm tired of the automations who follow a course set for them by the world. I want to journey for a while into the spirit, sleep under the stars when I want. I want to write, to live, finally and fully.

Any suggestions? Where to go? Who to look for? Are any of you in the sort of situation I describe, and if so, how did you get there? I realize that any life is going to have oppression and problems, and that doesn't bother me. I just need free-thinkers to relate to, something green to smoke every once in a while, and time to write, and express. Is that too much?

 

Finish college before you do anything. You have all the time in the world to explore. Don't rush yourself.

I would suggest somewhere in Europe if you want to experience like-minded people.

 

Actually, I really don't think college is the experience I need. I don't plan on a business supported 'day job.' I'm going to be a writer, and not a worker, so college doesn't truly factor in to what I need at all.

 

Actually, the majority of writers actually do go to college. You need a real job before you try and become a writer. It's extremely hard to make a good living off books, and also to break into the industry. As a matter of fact, I hope to become a writer too, but I won't ditch everything I have to pursue it because the things I have, or don't have, is what makes a writer. I hope to go to University to learn English Literature, and Creative Writing.

 

Believe me, I understand where you're coming from. The majority of writers do go to college, because the kind of things they're writing about are studied in college. Or the way they're writing. I already write above college standards, when I apply myself, and the type of writing that I plan on doing isn't exactly taught.

Besides, I tend to write from experience, and I don't want to write about college life. To upper-middle class typical, from my perspective.

Also, I'm not planning on just leaving college and immediately selling books. I'm not that naive, though I would like too. I plan on actually publishing books no sooner than 5 years from now. Probably longer than that.

 

Alot of us want to become writers, but you must realize how minuscule the percentage of people who actually want to become writers that actually get published is.

I will tell you out of experience... go to school, don't do too many drugs while you are there, and go to classss... Class will be completely pointless, you will learn absolutely nothing, and it will all be a nice symbolic waste of money. At least you come from a family that can put you through a good education, which will lead you to a good job which can then lead you to the life you want to lead. Do not dream too much, dear dreamer... that was my mistake. There is a world out there, and it does not function on any of your principles... one must understand that.

 

Huh, your heads are working well, guys

 

School is definately a good idea, even if you don't think it's targeted towards you, it never hurt anyone to broaden their horizons. And you WILL learn things if you WANT to. Knowledge of any kind is priceless, and education is one of the best things we have in this messed up society we live in. You will encounter problems anywher, but reality is what you make it, and you can find a good life and like-minded people anywhere if you're willing to work for them. I know, us smokers aren't always prone to work, I'm certainly guilty of being way too lazy way too much, but it is the only way to accomplish anything. most importantly do NOT EVER stop dreaming, and shame on you SirRobin for putting such ideas in the head of someone looking for answers, where's your courage?! The world may never be what many of us want it to be, but only those who dream have a chance to bring it closer to that dream. You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.

 

Hahaha...

Dreaming is one thing, but reality is another.

First learn to function in reality, then achieve your dreams.

It's as simple as that. If all you do is dream, then that's what you'll do your entire life... being at least somewhat practical in this life is obligatory... otherwise the only thing you will achieve is a lifelong dependence on your parents or life in a cardboard box.

 

Rubin is absolutely right.

Also, at one point, all John Lennon dreamt about was getting his next batch of smack...Sorry, I just don't like him.:tongue:

 

How can ya say thought bout dreaming?
I understand you SirRubin, but the reverse can also be said about your statement:
Many people who learn to "function in the real world" many times lose their dreams in the process.

And you dont need a good job to accomplish your dreams either. It all depends on what one's priorities are, concerning money and luxuries and all.

At the same time, I dont think necessarily that you should drop outta school randomly. Because I dont know you well enough or your feelings. Only you do. Follow your feelings, your dreams. Just realize that in living out your dreams, life isnt automatically perfect, and that there are hardships along the way. But its life, ya know?

For example, one of my dreams for years was to live in Europe and not just go thorugh the normal same boring years of high school....some poeple told me I was crazy leaving the US for a year to go to Germany....but it was my dream. I followed the dream, and I still am living it out, and its amazing, it feels great, but Ive also been down many times too- homesickness, problems with the language at earlier stages, etc. etc....my point is, living out your dreams doesnt automatically mean you'll always be happy, or that you can FINALLY be happy.

 

There are plenty of things to do and places to go to accomplish your dreams. School is only one path. I never even graduated highschool OR got a GED. It was never a problem. If you want something bad enough, and you work toward it with all your being, then you will either succeed or not, but your goals might change along the way, as might your definition of success. If you broaden your horizons, you WILL find your niche. And I am here to say that your life will be just as it should be, no matter what path you follow. Because it's all about how you deal with the hand you're delt in life, and not so much how you got there.

 

Not loosing your dreams is up to you. Learning to function in the world without loosing one's dreams is a true test of character.

 

Have you people ever considered looking at it a different way? Learn to achieve your dreams, and try not to lose focus on 'the real world.'

 

Like I said.

That does not work,

No sir.

Unless you will be one of the few people who actually got to be a famous writer/ musician/ etc... and there is a 99.99999999999% likelyhood that you will not be one... so focus on something a tad more realistic.

 

Believe me, regardless of your opinions of my ability, my odds are higher than that. I'm not one to suddenly decide to do something, I've been looking into it for years. Not exclusively, of course, but as writing has always been my passion, I've spent alot of time reading about it, researching it, and experimenting in the field.

It's not nearly as difficult as you may believe. Especially if one has talent.

Thanks for your responses, but I'd appreciate it if you refrained from being so defeatist when it comes to another persons dreams. Never tell someone they can't do something, just let them know what obstacles may present themselves.

 

The only thing that can truely stand in your way (or not) is YOU. Follow your dreams to the bitter end! Fame is a matter of degrees anyhow. If you are good at what you do, people will notice, because most people do not have what it takes to get out there and DO. The more talented you are and the more VISIBLE you are, the more famous you will be. Talent plus legwork. Just do it.

 

Time is the real factor here. A person needs "time" to accomplish their dreams. If you have made enough time for yourself, you can learn anything you want (no real need for college), and you can focus on anything you want with great determination. How does one make time.?

A person can make time for themselves by living very simply. By not needing much money to live, you can use the time you are not working at a job to earn money, to advance yourself in any area, music, writing, art etc. The more time you have, the more you can practice, compose, and create, and become more proficient at anything you desire.

Living simply means living light, being mobile, not being encumbered by materialism, or being defined by it. If an individual could function with a tent,(or other small dwelling), and a backpack,(or few possessions), and had few if any bills to pay, they could work hard at anything they wanted to achieve.

My partner of 30 years has been working and learning all his life, never finished high school, yet has written books and essays, painted hundreds of awesome paintings, has taught himself foreign language and script, has studied intensely in the fields of theology, and mystical experience. He is a proficient jazz guitarist, and writes his own lyrics, and music.
He gets up each day so enthusiastic to pursue his dreams, that all he needs is a bowl of magic herb for inspiration, and the "time" to work at his craft.

He has been able to accomplish mastery in these areas because he made the time for himself by being very simple, and needing very little money to survive, and thus freeing up his day to pursue and advance in the areas of life that really interest him. He does not do what he does for monetary gain, and looks at financial success as a possible outcome, but not a major incentive. He just does what he loves to do, and enjoys every day. I guess that is living your dreams, and is within anyones grasp who makes that their priority.

 

You seem extremely naive, and slightly arrogant also, to think that you can be one in the few who break into the industry; it's an extremely hard thing to do. What makes you so different from me as a writer?

Arrogance is the first form of failure, and the last form of success.

 

I'm not a very arrogant person. I know my limitations, and I know my abilities. I don't claim to be the best of writers, but I know I can get published. I already have, for short stories and poems, and I have several people who want to put my novels out, already.

Beyond that, I have a great friend, who is also a writer, who has also gotten published. We're working apart and together, building off of each other with our ideas, and working together toward the completion of a large novel series.

I already gave reasons why I think I have a higher chance at the field. I've done the research, and the legwork. I know how to get these things going, and I know who to talk to. And, I'm not 100 percent positive that I'll get it done. Of course I'm not, there's no way to accurately forecast the future. But I have the dream, and I have the drive to succeed at it.

I'm sorry if I do sound arrogant, but I have a high self-worth, self-respect, and I'm confident in my ability. Yes, I realize that it probably won't work out the way I want it too, but I can handle it if it doesn't. But I know that I would be an idiot to not follow the dream, and see how far it can take me.

And the only thing that makes me different as a writer is my experiences, and my outlook. Possibly, I have more raw talent, or I've worked longer on perfecting my skills, but I can't say either of those, as I've never read anything you've written. I never claimed to be a better writer than you, I just said, in full confidence, that I DO have skill. And I'm not basing this on my own judgment, but the judgment of everyone who I've let read what I've written.

Anyway, my success as a writer wasn't the point of this post. It was made to see if anyone had any ideas as to where to head to, and how to get there. I don't really want to have to explain why I think I'll succeed, I just want to ask other people for opinions on how to go about this upcoming faze of my life.