At the end of a holiday – most Sundays too – I am reminded at heart I am a very lazy man. What I mean by this is I am happy doing odds and end chores around the house, be on the computer, or run errands – anything but work. I am a hard working fellow, who takes his job seriously. Nevertheless, I am perfectly content to do nothing. I was born in the wrong century I suppose; I have all the qualities of an 18th century ‘man of leisure’ but the money to live like one.
I envy my friends, the majority of whom don’t work. I often am the one employed man in the group. They are retired or have steady incomes (lucky sods). Some of them have spouses who are the breadwinners.
Life is unfair. I used to dream of working 10-20 years as a doctor then quit and do something else. Perhaps I would retire. Or I would have a partner who would provide the income while I did stayed home. In my actual set up, it is the other way around: I bring home the bacon, not my partner. And with the economy not likely to recover, there is no change on the horizon.
After a three day weekend of doing this and that chores, I need to pack my briefcase and set out clothing for the morrow. I’ve done this routine for nearly twenty years. I will do so for another twenty five, provided a heart attack, cancer, or nuclear annihilation doesn’t get me first.
Hopefully this is not a complaint but a report of the state of my being.
There is no point in asking if the air is any good when there is nothing else to breathe.
That’s all for this Labor Day.
13 comments
September 5, 2011 at 9:11 PM
Peter
All a good cup of tea can solve. Have a great start of the week, and behold… it’s a short week, only 4 days. 😉
September 5, 2011 at 10:46 PM
raybeard
To recover a proportionate perspective on life, may I suggest a monastical retreat? No. thought not. I wouldn’t either – at least not yet. (Not enough F-U-N)
September 6, 2011 at 1:01 AM
Mark
I hear you loud and clear. I’m not a fan of being the “bread winner” either. Fred didn’t work for 4 years and then in the last three, has worked less than part-time. Still, we survive. And although I would like to have more, I guess we’re not suffering.
Your Friend, m.
September 6, 2011 at 1:36 AM
Paul Brownsey
“(lucky sods)”
I always thought this was a UK phrase rather than an American one…
September 6, 2011 at 11:28 AM
raybeard
Me too. Seeing that from Dr Spo made me do a double-take as well.
September 6, 2011 at 1:41 AM
rg
I have to go to work in the rain today. I’ll be thinking of you and your desert climate today. LOL
September 6, 2011 at 4:26 AM
Robert G. Longpré
Breathe the air and don’t worry about it. As for the rest, it is what it is as you point out so there is no point in complaining (I don’t think you are complaining) What is needed, my good doctor is passion, something that says get the hell out of bed and change the world in the ways that only you can change the world. Be the most “you” that you can be. 🙂
September 6, 2011 at 4:32 AM
tigeryogi
Whenever I get this way, I try to look at those less fortunate than myself and then I count my blessings…
September 6, 2011 at 6:29 AM
Raven~
“There is no point in asking if the air is any good when there is nothing else to breathe”
Well, if you’re in estate planning, there might be a hidden agenda 🙂
September 6, 2011 at 6:53 AM
Shawn
Work, and the ability to perform it, is a blessing my dear!
Feel the gratitude! Smile with happiness!
September 6, 2011 at 10:09 AM
Cubby
The grass is always greener, isn’t it?
I’m willing to bet if you were suffering through long-term unemployment with the financial and social hardships that accompany it, you’d be blogging about how envious you are of your friends who work long hours and weekends. I’ve been in both positions and believe me, if given the choice I’d choose long hours over no hours.
See, we’re never satisfied. We always want something different and interesting.
September 6, 2011 at 11:30 AM
the cajun
Everyone I know works – at something – whether they need to, or not. All I would like right now is a brief holiday away from all things familiar, just to recharge and appreciate where I am and what I have. Not much, actually, but that’s OK.
September 6, 2011 at 2:07 PM
Laurent
You sound blue! I wish I could retire too and have about 5 years maximum to go. Then were will I retire too?? NO idea, I only wish I could retire to a mild no winter climate, Ottawa or Canada in general is too cold and humid and with my asthma that is not a good recipe. However I would say to you that you have a pleasant life and a beautiful house. You are well educated and knowledgeable, good looking. So all in all not a bad lot.