Setting foot in two different boats First some introduction:

I am in my ending teen years and like a normal teen would aspire for success, I aspire for it too. But there is a catch... I don't want to get too lost into material world, such that, at the end of the day I will be lost. In a sense I don't want to waste time.

I have desire to be a little above mediocrity which can take lots of time(and there is no guarantee that I will succeed), so I believe it would be better if I realize the pointlessness of it as(many gurus claim).

Some say to realize pointlessness of money(and any such desires like higher social status) it is important to have them first.

So is it like I have heard that at the end of tough road is a steep fall and for me to realize it I have to work hard and see for myself, is there no better choice?


  Can't I move towards it(worldly successes) and in the meantime practice something so I realize it is not that important?


Right now I don't have courage to live like a monastic and even if I do, I'll be thinking of worldly pursuits most of the time and will have this sense of failure with me, that, I chose this path(spiritual) because I would fail in material path(this idea of choosing spiritual path because of failure in materialistic path is frowned upon where I live).

Note:

I know that I have to try to keep precepts and be moral, I want little bit advanced practice(while I try to build my career)

Thank you!
Open yourself up to the world. Let the possibilities excite and draw you in. The greatest gift you can bring to the world is yourself, enlightened by your own spiritual practice. Whichever path you take, you will end up where you were meant to be. The lessons you need will find you, where ever you are. Allow yourself to look towards what inspires you, not only what is safe and has good financial prospects. Youth has magic to it (even if being young is not an accomplishment), you can breathe in possibility. Don't allow the disappointments of others to guide you to a lesser path with the idea that it is safer. There is nothing safe in unhappiness. 

As you walk along your path, keep checking on whether your path has the aspects you need most. 

Here is a list that I think is well worded, but you can craft your own. (I welcome edits if someone can make Right Livelihood clearer)

• Is what we are doing causing harm to others or suffering for ourselves?

• Is the way we live and the way we support ourselves causing harm or suffering?

• What are the purposes for which we work?

• What values do we express in our work?

• What consequence does our work have on the quality of our inner life?

• What consequences does it have on the world?

• Is the way we live our life satisfying and meaningful? If it isn’t, what can we change to create greater joy, satisfaction, and meaning?

(I copied it from here: https://www.care2.com/greenliving/how-buddhism-helped-me-find-a-better-career.html )