Obviously deep down we know there's something else we're living for. I mean how many songs are there about computer networks? Or great poems about how nice the formatting on that financial report is? Or paintings of Dale, highlighting how efficiently he runs the ripsaw down in the plant? Not many. Sure, there's art about people at work, but it usually emphasizes the human aspect of it, not what a great employee or great worker someone is. If it didn't, though, would it be your favorite song? Quick thought experiment- What IS your favorite song? Why? Is it a hard driving rocker that gets your adrenalin pumping? A love song that reminds you of someone? A classical piece that just lets you drift off and get completely immersed in the rich, full sound of the symphony? Maybe it's a country heart-breaker. I'm sure some smart-ass will say their favorite song is "16 tons" or "John Henry was a Steen-drivin' Man," but really- your favorite? And aren't those really about the state of the human spirit more than anything else? I digress. The reason that song is your favorite song is because it means something personal to you- something from outside the day to day drudgery most likely. Unless the song you picked was by Toby Keith or Britney Spears, in which case it just means you're an idiot.
I'm not really sure what I'm driving at here, but I think this is it- Every now and then maybe it's a good idea to check your priorities. I don't think we all need to quit our jobs and head out to do something else, just think about what's really important to you. What do you want people to say at your funeral? "Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family, we're gathered here today to pay our final respects to Doug. Boy, he sure could fix a computer." No thanks. If anyone MENTIONS computers at my funeral, I swear I will HAUNT you. And forget Casper, I'm talkin' Poltergeist style.
There are a lot of people I look up to. Some because of the personal sacrifices they've made in their lives to make life better for others (Thanks Mom and Dad). Some because of the things they do outside of their 'day jobs.' People who help out with charities, all kinds of things. Some because they made the choice to go for it- whatever "it"is, and whether they "made it" or not. Keep in mind, all of those things are hard work- I'm not saying we shouldn't work hard at what we do.
One more thing and I'll bring this ramble to a close. I'm going to do my best to constructively butcher a little parable I heard a long time ago- I hope I can do it some justice. I tried to google it to make sure I had it right, but couldn't find it, so this is my best attempt. I think it might be Marx, but can't remember for sure.
There's this fella who passes this other fella on the way to work. The other fella is just sitting on the riverbank, all laid back with his fishing pole. Disgusted by the lazy bum, our hero heads on in to the office- or wherever he works. That evening he passes by the same guy on the way home, who just smiles and waves as the good worker passes by. Day after day this happens and every day our protagonist gets more and more disgusted. Eventually he's had enough, so he says to the guy, "Hey- you know, I pass by here every day. All I've ever seen you do is sit there fishing. What are you doing with your life? Just wasting it away on the river bank! You're a disgrace!"
The fisherman sits there for a minute thinking. In reply he says, "Well, you know, I like to fish. I get plenty of food for my family. I'll never be rich, I guess, but we're happy. By the way, what are you in such a rush to get to every morning when you pass by here?"
Immediately, without even thinking, the worker snaps back, "I go to work every day! I work hard and I provide for my family. The poeple who work for me depend on me! I save my money so that when I'm old I can retire and sit on the river bank and fish!"
Anyway, make of if what you will. I'm going fishing. (actually, I don't really like to fish- but you get the idea...)
