In a world obsessed with monetary success, it's crucial to recognize that the significance of what we do extends far beyond the realm of dollars and cents. Labeling an activity as a hobby should not be determined by a set of activities or financial returns but rather by the passion, purpose, and drive that fuel our engagement with it. It's time to challenge the narrative that only lucrative activities hold value and recognize that independent of the man-made concept we call currency, the things we do hold intrinsic value.

The narrative that the worth of an endeavor is solely measured by financial returns is limiting and often misguided. This societal norm is often exacerbated in the world of the arts where world-class creators fight for the same respect so easily handed to a student of a conventionally successful subject.

Consider your favorite actor or actress. If they hadn't experienced the right opportunities at the right time to lead them to a point of visible success, would you still view their craft as a hobby and encourage them to choose a different path? As a society, we must be honest with ourselves if we are distinguishing hobbies from meaningful careers on the basis of money. We need to reevaluate if these careers are meaningless or if we simply fail to give them the meaning they deserve.

Art matters. Doctors matter. Lawyers matter. Every pursuit, regardless of its visibility or monetary gain, contributes to the richness of our collective tapestry. It's time to recognize that the things we do have intrinsic value, independent of societal, human-made measures of success.

This is not an endorsement of making something out of nothing, nor is it the idea that all pursuits are equal. Instead, it's a call to respect all pursuits equally and stop dismissing people’s endeavors simply because they don't conform to conventional expectations.

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