We make choices based on our priorities. In our culture, the choice of where we live or what we do for a living often is based on how much money we can make--the whole "American dream" thing. But sometimes the choice that seems most obvious isn't the one that will make us happiest.
Take Gina Penzarella, for instance. She's a native New Yorker, a businesswoman, a bridal shop owner. A knack for business and a working knowledge of formal fashion sounds like the perfect combination for a native New Yorker to open up shop right there in New York City; that's where the clients are, that's where the "money" is. Right?
But that's not what Gina Penzarella did. Her bridal shop, Footlights Boutique & Co., Inc., is located in the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania, and is one of the most popular stores of its kind in the region.
So why not New York City? Why Pennsylvania? Because for some reason, Gina Penzarella was drawn to the beauty and lifestyle of the Lehigh Valley. She's a businesswoman, so naturally making money is part of what she does. But perhaps she wanted something more than just money; so she transplanted herself and her expertise, to a place that made her happy. And she does good business there, apparently because she's good at what she does.
I heard of someone else just today whose family chides her because she'd rather make music than get a "real job". She's highly educated and could make a lot of money with her other acquired skills. But she'd rather do what she loves.
I guess there's more to life than just the American dream. Some choices won't get you more money, but they will make you more happy.
0 comments:
Post a Comment