I’ve gone to church a lot more lately. Maybe it’s lack of plans or my mother has become more adept at making sure we’re there, but I’ve been hearing a lot more sermons and learning about the church as an adult that has me left with a feeling of disconnection.

You see, the church I attend always stresses the value of giving back to others, putting them first, prioritizing everything over material things. However, the church of life is the complete opposite. Get ahead. Sacrifice your time with loved ones to provide. Do things you wouldn’t usually do to get a leg up. It’s very confusing and as a person trying to do the right thing in the right balance, the choice can most often be for what can be good for the wallet rather than the soul.

I guess what I’m trying to understand is how do we get to succeed and achieve our dreams without having to step on others? Is success the best way to not be in hellfire and brimstone when we pass? How do you become a good person and also earn your first billion?

Maybe it’s the culture of sensationalizing the controversial. We like to pay attention to those who might not be the greatest to their fellow man. When we hear of a wealthy person in trouble, we can’t help but feel a little schadenfreude.

Maybe you’re still trying to find your way as an adult after college. Not 110% set on the path you want or were removed from the ideas you thought life would be as an adult were “supposed to be like”. What do you follow? The ways of religion or the cold hard truths of a non-privileged life?

Is there a way to balance the line?

I guess I have more questions than answers this time, because at this point in my life, I’m still trying to figure it out. Never think you have life figured out after a certain age, because that’s when life will surprise you.

What line of thinking do you follow? Is it working out for you?