I was given a Business Proposal

This caught me off guard as much as it would anyone else I'd imagine.

So, let's delve into this so I can explain as much of it as I can without breaking private information!

Essentially, I was asked to be the artist of a new and upcoming website that's still under construction, but has an estimated traffic approximation up there in the very big numbers.  This website (When launched) will supposedly be a centre for attention.  I was contacted last night to be the official artist, drawing comics, pictures, advertisements and banners for this website upon it's initial launch, and I would be partnered with it from then on.  I would be given a share of the revenue generated (as you would expect)  to literally just draw what I think people would enjoy.  Whether that be entertaining comics, pictures that would appeal to the masses and occasionally company designated designs.  

I was told that I'd be able to work from home.  Whatever hours I please, and I'd be given total freedom within my own right.  I can't specifically say what the exact percentage of revenue would be given to me based on traffic generated due to privacy within the proposal, but let's just say it's nothing to shake a stick at.  In fact, upon accepting of this deal, it would officially be my profession.  I would technically be working as an artist, and making more than the average worker in America, all from the comfort of my own bedroom.  At just 18 years old.  (Oh yeah, I'm not 22 like my account says.  I just always set my default birthrate as 1990 when signing up pretty much anywhere)

So, this is sounding great so far, right?  Getting to work from home, drawing what I want, when I want, and making money whenever I please.  It'd be professionally getting paid to do what I love.  

Thus, you can probably tell what my answer was.  

I politely declined.  

"What?!"  You're probably saying to yourself.  "That's an artist's dream!  Everyone who has ever picked up pencil and paper have been waiting for that!  Why would you decline?  You must be out of your mind."  

In that regard, you're absolutely right.  I am crazy for not accepting this deal.  But the thing to remember out of all this is this:  I do not, nor will I ever view myself as an artist.  

I began drawing for fun.  I hoped one day I'd be able to take a couple cheap commissions here and there for some pocket change, but I never EVER wanted it to be my profession.  What I do is my hobby.  Nothing more, nothing less.  I do not want this to be my career.  

As soon as money enters the equation, it's no longer something you just do for fun.  You're pressured, forced to do this, because you now rely on it.  It's no longer about creating a piece for your friends and family to enjoy and give you a pat on the back for.  Even in my case, despite the freedom, it's still enough to remove the fun from the hobby.  

Back in the day when I was a small Youtube Let's Player, I used to have my friends joke all the time, saying "Justin, when you get big, don't forget about all us little people."  

You know what?  Back then, I laughed at it as well.  I laughed because I thought that would never become a reality, yet here I was.  Staring a dream job right in the face.  

I don't want to be big, I don't want to be famous, or well known.  I could never abandon those who I've come to know and love just to be a big name.  That's not the life I want to live.  Saying I've had a rough life would be an understatement.  My life has been hell.  Literally.  Some of the worst things that could happen to a person, did, and have happened to me.  Some would look at this chance I've been given and see it as the scales finally weighing in my direction, but to be completely 100% honest, I'm satisfied with where I am, and what I have in life right now.  

I'm a simple person.  My goal in life has always been to live day by day, making due with what I have, and sharing that with someone I love.  I couldn't handle being well off.  It's just not within my range of comprehension.  Just as a rich person would not be able to deal with being poor, I would not be able to adapt to being well off.  I want to work hard, I want to earn what I want in life.  I don't want to just have money to throw around whenever I please.  That destroys the value of money in a person's mind.  Working hard for something makes you appreciate it so much more.  

My life doesn't need to change.  It's right where I want it to be.  I make due, day by day.  I have a wonderful girl that I share every day of my life with, and I have my hobby that keeps me busy in my spare time, and I'm happy.  Truly, I'm happy.  

Nothing needs to change.  I like things just the way they are.