Paragraph 1 is true. Paragraphs 2 & 3 are false.

If you can help other people by doing something that you love, you will be successful. The risk involved is short-term and appears bigger than it is because it's scary. It's a much bigger loss to give up your ambitions for the sake of security.

And anyway, who says it has to be all or nothing? Can't you start whatever it is you're dreaming about without quitting your "day job"?
 

Ralphie...here is advice from a 50 year old broad. The time flies by. If there is something you love...do as Doc Bean said...begin to pursue it on the side...of course you don't want to jeopardize your family, and shouldn't. But not following your heart's desire, can jeopardize your family too. See how to work out both. You blink your eyes, and you are 50. By the way, I love being this age...I'm just saying, you may not want to get here, and find that you could have done something different 15 years ago. (sorry, didn't mean to lecture...okay, maybe I did)
 

What do you want to do? It's true that past decisions can affect future opportunities - if you were to change careers, you might have to accept a big decrease in pay. That's a tough choice if your family would be hurt.

On the other hand, there are so many worthwhile things that you can pursue off-the-clock. Seize the day, man!
 

In the history of mankind, very few people have had the good fortune to have a job that they loved. If you have a wife and kids you love, and a livelihood, you're a lucky man. If you also love your job, you're a SUPER lucky man, but it's not something anyone has a "right" to.

However, in your thirties you are still a young man, so now is the time if you're going to do it.

BTW my husband started a business in his forties. With a lot of financial pressure and anxiety and hardship, he was finally successful thank G-d but there were a few very pressured and anxious years. The impetus to opening his store was one I wouldn't really wish on you -- he lost his job!
 

Before y'all start feeling sorry for me, I have plenty of opportunity, support and connections to follow my dreams. I'm just lazy.
 

Dude, man. Spill the beans. You're anonymous. I suspect I know what it is, but why not just tell us what your dream is? The great things about this forum is (1) it's safe and (2) you get lots of free advice from strangers some of which doesn't suck. So come on. Give us the specifics.

The other key piece of this is: is Mrs Ralphie encouraging you, or reminding you that you're nuts and that your current job is good?
 

Ralphie,

Somewhere there is a comic book store in desperate need of a new manager. Run, don't walk to find that place. You'll love it, or maybe not.
 

Never give up on your dreams. On that day, you die.
 

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far

To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause

And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star
 

I am not a dreamer, I am not an idealist. I am practical. As long as you don't completely despise your current job, I wouldn't quit, esp. if you have people depending on you. I would follow your dream first as a hobby and if it mushrooms into a career, all the better!
 

Ralphie,

Do you want to be a SCREEN writer? (I can't help but remember and smile at your post at the hardware store)

But as I've told you before, too, the comedy stage awaits you... so let me know when you're going to do an amateur comedy night at a local comedy club or your shul, and I'll be front-row center, laughing ... and HECKLING!
 

work is not supposed to be fun. That's why it's called work.

i'm totally with you on the "reading comi books" thing. Unfortunately, responsibility beckons.

(*)>
 

Yeah - what this original post boils down to is a particularly boring and yet frustrating meeting I had just experienced...

I'm down with the work is work, responsibility thing. And with pursuing my other interests in my spare time. For that, I lack not inspiration but only discipline.

Thanks for all of the comments.