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Probably the wrong place to put this, but Ive been thinking lately.
Ive watched a very very good friend of mine climb the corporate ladder. We grew up together, we were hired at the same company together. Im proud of him, I truly am. Its what he's been wanting since day 1, even though he hates his job. He's always been the more materialistic person between the two of us. Thats fine...its who he is, and I accepted that when we were kids.
It HAS changed our friendship though, and made me wonder a few things about this world of employment, or lack thereof, that we live in
What I dont understand, however, is the drive for more and more and more money. I watch people around me that are grateful with just 1 week off a year for doing what they want, who, no matter what they've gotten, what they've accomplished, its never enough. Why is this? Why is everyone in our society so obsessed with their jobs? Many people I know have made their jobs their life. Job first, their lives second.
They never really stop to enjoy and appreciate what they DO have. This baffles me....its almost as if we're slaves to our jobs. And for what? What is the reason for killing yourself at a position you dont like simply for money for things you dont really need?
Think about it. Is a job worth a moment, a memory lost? One you can get again, the other is gone forever.
He clearly wants to move up since to him it's power, and the means to experience a better lifestyle. Work used to be about living to work, but these days we work to live. In the end, it's just a means to an end.
He clearly wants to move up since to him it's power, and the means to experience a better lifestyle. Work used to be about living to work, but these days we work to live. In the end, it's just a means to an end.
I guess that while I accept the materialistic side, I dont understand the need for anyone to give their lives to something they hate.
I also dont understand exactly why as a nation we are so work oriented. Ive seen Europeans comment on this forum that American workers are like the Worker bees of the world.
I also dont understand exactly why as a nation we are so work oriented. Ive seen Europeans comment on this forum that American workers are like the Worker bees of the world.
Europe is the exception and it's partly because of chronic unemployment. Go look at the cities in East Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam). They all work more than Americans for less pay. In places like China, people in the cities work 60 hrs regularly, their national average is pulled down by the hundreds of millions of farmers who work less hours.
And BTW, Americans don't really work that much (about 38 hours a week on average). In the US, the professional class, small business owners, and the illegal immigrants work long hours. The middle bunch and government workers, not so much. The 4:30pm commuter trains are always packed, by 7:00pm it's mostly empty.
Here's the average yearly working time in 2004:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5a/Yearly_working_time.jpg (broken link)
Probably the wrong place to put this, but Ive been thinking lately.
Ive watched a very very good friend of mine climb the corporate ladder. We grew up together, we were hired at the same company together. Im proud of him, I truly am. Its what he's been wanting since day 1, even though he hates his job. He's always been the more materialistic person between the two of us. Thats fine...its who he is, and I accepted that when we were kids.
It HAS changed our friendship though, and made me wonder a few things about this world of employment, or lack thereof, that we live in
What I dont understand, however, is the drive for more and more and more money. I watch people around me that are grateful with just 1 week off a year for doing what they want, who, no matter what they've gotten, what they've accomplished, its never enough. Why is this? Why is everyone in our society so obsessed with their jobs? Many people I know have made their jobs their life. Job first, their lives second.
They never really stop to enjoy and appreciate what they DO have. This baffles me....its almost as if we're slaves to our jobs. And for what? What is the reason for killing yourself at a position you dont like simply for money for things you dont really need?
Think about it. Is a job worth a moment, a memory lost? One you can get again, the other is gone forever.
Maybe Im just thinking like a hippie. lol
So much of life is a trade-off and there is a fine balance between how much of our life we are willing to trade for "stuff".
Everybody has a different tolerance level. For some, like myself (and maybe you), my soul is nourished more by beauty, nature, peace and quiet than by material objects. On the other hand, there are people who do not "get" this kind of mentality and enjoy only that which can be purchased (preferably shiny and new).
There is no right or wrong, really. Like the other poster said, every body is different. I suppose that is what makes the world go around. But I have been on both sides of this fence and I can attest that, for me, walking away from materialism and being able to spend more time relaxing, and nurturing what makes me happy is far, far more important than money or things. I live humbly, modestly and frugally, but when I wake up in the morning and hear the birds singing, it's all worth it. Yet many people would cringe and sooner be tarred and feathered than live as I do.
But, I do not judge and I do not criticize the people who do not or cannot appreciate my lifestyle.
As for your friend. Just be glad you aren't married to him. LOL
Who cares? He's doing what he wants, no need for jealousy if you're happy.
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