Watching American Idol was seriously bumming me out this week. I've had several people in the music business tell me that I should go back to school as a music major, but I always resisted because playing piano is something I do for my own enjoyment. I can't stand being paid to perform. Rocking out on the piano is such a joy to me that I always want to do it for free. It's hard enough to make a living as an artist, but it's pretty much impossible to survive on an income of zero dollars.

That said, I watch these kids following their passions and pursuing their dreams, and my plans to get a degree in marketing suddenly seem extraordinarily bland. I'm already so torn about what major to choose and what career to pursue; I don't need any help doubting my decisions.

But tonight, the words of a marketing professor came flooding back to me.

"Marketing is everything. Everything is marketing."

Never has that statement resonated so clearly with me before. I can use the skills I get with a marketing degree to pursue any one of my many interests. Business? Duh. Music? All musicians need to market themselves to be heard. Blogging? Good bloggers know the importance of marketing themselves both online and out on the streets. History? Math? English? Anything else? If I want a great job, I'll need to market myself and my talents in a way that truly communicates why I would be a valuable asset to the company.

I am so relieved. I finally feel like I've made the right decision. I am at peace (relatively speaking) about my future for the first time since I graduated high school. Hallelujah. Now Juan Pedro and I can get back to coloring with crayons and other such important things.