Growing up, I never heard the phrase, “Chase your passion, not the money.” I heard the exact opposite: “Get a career that pays good money.” It was always about the money.
Looking back, that isn’t surprising. I grew up in public housing with a single mother raising five children. There were plenty of times we stared at an empty refrigerator. We lived in survival mode. My mother did the best she could, and I understand why the focus was always on financial security. It wasn’t about greed; it was about survival. Poverty shaped our priorities.
As I’ve gotten older and left poverty behind, I’ve realized there’s value in finding work that is both meaningful and financially sustainable. I’ll never judge people who were taught to chase financial security first because I lived that reality. When you’ve experienced not having enough, stability isn’t just a goal; it’s peace of mind.
Many of us were also taught that there’s a formula for happiness: get an education, get married, have kids, build a career, and everything will fall into place. But life doesn’t always work that way. You can check every box and still feel unfulfilled. If I could speak to my younger self, I’d say this: Define success on your own terms. Take risks while you’re young. Explore different paths, and don’t be afraid to change direction. Money is important; it pays the bills, but it won’t make you excited to get out of bed every morning.
Life is too short to spend it chasing someone else’s version of success. Find work that gives you purpose, surround yourself with people who encourage you, and build a life you don’t constantly need to escape from. In the end, fulfillment is worth far more than a paycheck. “Chase Your Passion, Not Just the Money”
Rosa Julia Parra
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Editor & Founder
elpalomagazine@gmail.com
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