Clojurians Log v2

Sometimes I feel like Clojure saved my life when I was stuck doing manual labour and didn't have any real prospect for bettering myself, making up for lost time, and fulfilling my potential in the face of grave hardship. Other times I can't help but think I am still trapped in a dead end of prolonged suffering, except now with the bitter taste of forlorn hope from a skill that feeds my soul but reminds me of how crippled and stunted I feel when I contemplate setting it aside to be able to make ends meet with something more banal and clumsy. Not that trying to be less intentional and more mercenary about the tools I use has ever translated to more success in the job market and my career. Just feels like any growth I make gets pruned or withers away before I can really consolidate the gains.