Just scroll through social media and see what the world has become—a gallery of faces that never tire of themselves. Every pose, every angle, every caption screams of self-admiration and hunger for validation. Truly, people today are living proof of the biblical prophecy that in the last days, “men shall be lovers of themselves.”

I see it everywhere—the obsession with self-image, the glorification of one’s own story, and the desperate need to be adored. People document every detail of their lives as though the world cannot breathe without knowing what they ate for lunch or where they spent the weekend. Vanity has evolved into an accepted culture, disguised as self-love or self-care.

Yet, at its core, it is the same ancient sin of pride—the worship of one’s own reflection. This is not the healthy confidence that builds character; this is the conceit that blinds the soul.
The prophecy about people becoming lovers of themselves does not merely describe selfies and filtered photos. It speaks of a deeper decay—of hearts that have grown cold to others because they burn too hot for themselves. People have become selective in their compassion, generous only when cameras are rolling, kind only when it earns them recognition. Acts of goodness are now performed not out of conscience, but out of convenience and the promise of attention. Even religion, once the voice of humility, has become a platform for boasting: “Look at how faithful I am.”

I often think that what we now call “personal branding” is simply vanity dressed in corporate attire. People compete not to be better but to be seen as better. In schools, in workplaces, and even in churches, we see individuals striving to outshine one another rather than uplift each other. The desire to be admired, to be envied, to be followed—it has become the new moral compass of this generation. It dictates how people think, dress, speak, and behave. They live not for meaning but for metrics—for likes, shares, and views.

This obsession with self has made people fragile. When the applause stops, so does their sense of worth. They are constantly measuring their lives against others’ highlights, comparing their reality to another’s illusion. The result is emptiness—a silent epidemic of loneliness beneath the bright lights of social media fame. The more people love themselves in this distorted way, the more they hate what they see in the mirror when no one else is watching.

Even relationships have suffered under this self-centered culture. Love has turned transactional—people seek partners who make them feel good, not those they can serve and grow with. The idea of sacrifice, of loving beyond convenience, has become outdated. Many now walk away the moment love stops feeding their ego. The biblical warning was right: when people love themselves above all, genuine love for others cannot survive.
And what about community? It has weakened. People no longer think collectively; they think competitively. The modern age has produced individuals who guard their comfort more than their conscience. They post about justice but rarely act on it. They cry for change but refuse to change themselves. The world has become a noisy marketplace of opinions, where everyone wants to be right, and no one wants to be humble.

I sometimes wonder if the cure to this self-worship lies not in more self-love, but in rediscovering self-forgetfulness. To love others without seeking reward, to give without posting proof, to listen more and speak less—these are the small rebellions against a narcissistic age. Perhaps the only way to prove that prophecy wrong is to live as though it does not define us: to be self-aware but not self-absorbed, confident but not conceited, and human enough to care for others more than the mirror image of ourselves.

The rise of the “side hustle” has transformed the modern workforce, with millions supplementing their primary income through freelance work, gig jobs, and entrepreneurial ventures. Understanding who is most likely to be engaging in this increasingly prevalent economic activity provides valuable insight into evolving work patterns and societal trends. While no single profile perfectly captures every side hustler, several demographic and motivational factors consistently emerge.

The Millennial and Gen Z Influence:

Millennials and Gen Z represent a significant portion of the side hustle workforce. Several factors contribute to this:

– Economic Uncertainty: These generations have entered the workforce during periods of economic instability and increasing income inequality. The side hustle offers a buffer against job insecurity and provides a safety net in times of economic downturn.

– Desire for Flexibility: Millennials and Gen Z often prioritize work-life balance and flexibility. Side hustles offer a low-risk way to explore entrepreneurship and build skills.

– Entrepreneurial Spirit: These generations are characterized by a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to pursue their own passions and ideas. The side hustle provides a low-risk platform to test entrepreneurial waters and build skills without quitting their primary job.

– Technological Proficiency: Millennials and Gen Z are digitally native, possessing a high level of technological proficiency that facilitates online work, freelance platforms, and digital marketing. This technological fluency opens up a wider range of side hustle opportunities.

– Debt Burden: High levels of student loan debt and other financial obligations often push younger generations to seek additional income streams to manage their financial burdens. The side hustle becomes a necessary tool for financial stability.

Beyond the Young: Other Demographic Trends:

While millennials and Gen Z are prominent in the side hustle landscape, other demographics are also increasingly engaging in this activity:

– Parents: Parents, particularly those with young children, often seek the flexibility and income potential of side hustles to balance family responsibilities with financial needs. The ability to work from home or set their own hours is a significant draw.

– Older Workers: Many older workers, either approaching retirement or already retired, engage in side hustles to supplement their income, maintain an active lifestyle, and pursue personal interests. Side hustles appeal to this group because of their flexibility and autonomy.

– Individuals in Underserved Communities: Side hustles can offer economic opportunities to individuals in underserved communities who may face barriers to traditional employment. The ability to work independently and set one’s own hours can be particularly advantageous for those with childcare or transportation challenges.

– Professionals Seeking Career Change: Many professionals use side hustles as a way to explore new skills and interests, potentially leading to a career change. The side hustle can serve as a stepping stone to a new career path, allowing individuals to gain experience and build a portfolio before making a full transition.

Motivations Beyond Financial Gain:

While financial gain is a primary driver for many side hustlers, other motivations also play a significant role:

– Passion Projects: Many individuals pursue side hustles based on personal passions and interests, using the opportunity to pursue creative endeavors, build a personal brand, or contribute to a cause they care about.

– Skill Development: Side hustles provide a valuable platform for acquiring new skills and expanding professional expertise. This can enhance career prospects and increase earning potential in the long term.

– Work-Life Balance: The flexibility of side hustles allows individuals to better manage their work-life balance, pursuing personal interests and family responsibilities while generating additional income.

– Entrepreneurial Exploration: Side hustles serve as a testing ground for entrepreneurial ambitions, allowing individuals to experiment with business ideas and gain valuable experience before committing to a full-time venture.

– Increased Autonomy and Control: The independence and control offered by side hustles are highly appealing to many, providing a sense of agency and ownership over their work.

onclusion:

The side hustle phenomenon is a complex and multifaceted trend driven by a confluence of economic, social, and technological factors. While millennials and Gen Z are prominent participants, a diverse range of demographics are increasingly engaging in side hustles for various reasons, extending beyond purely financial motivations. Understanding the diverse profiles and motivations of side hustlers is crucial for businesses, policymakers, and individuals navigating the evolving landscape of the modern workforce. The side hustle is no longer a niche activity; it’s a significant and growing part of the economy, reflecting a broader shift towards greater flexibility, autonomy, and entrepreneurial pursuits.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!

WITH recent cases of sacred places being desecrated, we need to remind ourselves that it is our duty to give these places due respect since they hold deep cultural or religious significance, and they also arouse strong emotional connection with the people. We are reminded of this duty in that gospel episode where Christ drove away those who turned the temple into a market place. (cfr. Jn 2,13-22)

In this regard, we have to be mindful of the rules and customs associated with these sacred places and respect them, like dressing in a way that is respectful of the place and its significance, keeping a respectful demeanor, avoiding loud noises, disruptive behavior or disrespectful actions.

We have to be most careful with our tendency to trivialize sacred places, items and events. With the sacred, all we have to do is utmost reverence, putting all our faith in them, knowing that through natural and human elements, we are touching the supernatural dimension of our life, we are touching the very life of God.

This reality should never be lost in our consciousness. Whenever we get involved in the sacred, as when we attend Mass or go to confession, or read the gospel, etc., we need to make many acts of faith, hope and charity to be able to capture the wonderful reality of being intimate with God.

We have to be careful because nowadays, with all the galloping pace of our earthly concerns and developments, we can easily end up treating the sacred things as one more item to be attended to, often with a cursory attitude.

We need to put all our mind and heart, all our senses and faculties into the celebration of these sacred things. Our whole selves should be involved there. We have to be aware with the reality of who we are dealing with in these sacred acts. We are not dealing with people only, much less with things only. We are directly dealing with God!

It therefore stands to reason that before we get involved in these sacred activities, we prepare ourselves properly. We have to stir up our faith and devotion, priming our heart and mind to align ourselves with the reality involved.

That is why we need to spend time preparing ourselves before the celebration of the liturgy, especially the Holy Mass. This is especially so with priests. We, priests, have to spend some time in prayer before celebrating the Mass to see to it that we are assuming the very name and person of Christ who is both priest and victim, the one who both offers and is offered.

We need to develop a sense of the sacred. When we pray, for example, we should see to it that the words really spring from the heart, a heart already filled with faith and love for God, since out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. The lips and the heart should be in harmony. And when many people pray together, the prayer should form a lovely symphony.

What can help is that when we pray, we should think to whom are we talking, what are we saying, how should we say it, with what sentiments should accompany it, what resolutions should come from it.

I remember that as a kid I saw old women in the church praying, and I could not help but be moved to see their faces brighten and darken as they prayed. I understood then that they were talking to God, and what they talked about was reflected on their faces. That is clearly having a sense of the sacred.