Thanks for this @kaylinart. You make good points. I teach highschool music and have often had the opportunity to speak to my students about this. Making good decisions on where you are headed in life can seem so clear but throw in all the sharp edges of life and things get so so cloudy. You are exactly right in your comments.
Ambiguity Aversion
In our '1st world' we can go through much of our existence without having to try overly hard. When we run up against a challenge that requires this unknown thing called 'hard work' we are not used to it. Hard work can be very foreign to us. If this is something that we are not used to many people's response is to run - "ambiguity aversion" is what the experts call it :) We often refer to it as 'fight or flight.' When we are exposed to an unknown, 'flight' is hardwired into us. A cave man/woman hears a strange rumbling sound in the trees - RUN! or possibly die. So when people are faced with a challenge that is new or unknown they run - human nature.
So because of this I do have SOME sympathy for those of us that tend to give up rather easily. SOME sympathy, not a lot :) On the other hand, when I see someone face up to a hugh challenge they earn a great deal of my respect :)
Thanks for posting.
Cheers,
Bucky