Work Ethic, Lazy People, A Fruitless Endeavor of Banality

"The trouble is that we have a bad habit, encouraged by pedants and sophisticates, of considering happiness as something rather stupid. Only pain is intellectual, only evil interesting. This is the treason of the artist, a refusal to admit the banality of evil and the terrible boredom of pain."
— Ursula K. Le Guin

Happy Saturday, a day of rest and fun for some, a day of hard work for others, I'm in the rest and fun camp, and I hope you are too. As of this moment, I am sitting above the clouds; I snapped a photo from our master bedroom; it's gorgeous up here. Jack is gone; his human picked him up; it's just Parker, my wife, and I this morning. It's 6:00 am, and it's peaceful on top of the mountain.

We slew dragons all morning; we left the house about noon and ran into Denver to see a client.

During our trip, we listened to NPR; I like NPR and their trifecta of news. Yesterday's main story was about people so tired of working; they need more time off. We listened and laughed. I'm sorry, didn't you just get roughly two years of vacation?

I think 2020 and 2021 were great years for lazy people. They found their groove while those of us that enjoy work was left trying to keep busy. When the main message was "stay home!" We found ways to connect with others and keep our businesses running. I was brought up on the idea of a strong work ethic; you work hard, get things done, earn money, and enjoy life. Unfortunately, I don't think this is the message that future generations were taught.

Right now is an excellent time to make hay while many bitch, moan, and complain about having to "go back to work." Another story on NPR was about a magazine populated by people of color, and most were gay, making them a double marginalized group. They realized that due to the extreme pressure on their employees, they had to do something. Their solution was to give everyone 30 days off to "rest." I'm not sure if these folks understand the concept of sleep, but they were all so exhausted after two years of the pandemic and needed some time to rest. It seems their job of finding stories was too hard.

One young journalist returned from her 30 days where she took time to become an actor and said, "I'm not rested, but I am rejuvenated." Good on you, thespian; why not be an actor full time? Work gives life value; life without work is a fruitless endeavor of banality. I have been working since I was ten years old; I hope to die while working.

We returned to Brooks Place Tavern for a late lunch and met some friends; we hit the grocery before heading home; my wife wanted to make a big chopped salad. So we got home, she started on the salad, we watched some bad television and got to bed early. Our friend Adrain stopped by and had a drink, we laughed, and I think we might get some sushi for lunch, his treat; I have a craving for some angry edamame.

I have a little work to do this morning. Do you see my theme today? Work, it's what's for breakfast! Some might think that taking time to pen 1000 words every day is work, wrong, pleasure, and joy in my mind. But, I can empty my mind and start each day with a clean whiteboard. I am blessed or maybe cursed to have an active mind, and this is one way I can manage the noise.

Another way of managing noise is to connect with other humans. For example, I've shared I'm a part of a weekly call called reset and reboot. A community organizer and pastor lead it; we connect an hour a week to share what's in our hearts. We usually have a warm-up exercise, yesterday I shared a silly joke before we got into the topic. The topic was when in your life did you have tears of joy and a time when you had tears of pain. We went around our virtual room and shared stories that brought a tear to our eyes. Next week we discuss humility and ego; Erik will lead our discussion; each member takes a week and leads a pre-chosen topic.

I hope you find happiness today, tomorrow, and threemorrow. I know that order and chaos are part of life, and I hope you can lean into the chaos and rest during the times of order. Our chaotic season is passing; we will be heading to Switzerland for nine days in June, returning to international travel; I hope to travel mask free. We are blessed, fortunate, and lucky to live our lives; I hope you feel the same.

"The trouble is that we have a bad habit, encouraged by pedants and sophisticates, of considering happiness as something rather stupid. Only pain is intellectual, only evil interesting. This is the treason of the artist, a refusal to admit the banality of evil and the terrible boredom of pain."
— Ursula K. Le Guin