I had a computer science instructor at UCSD who imparted some simple advice on those who cared to listen: Don’t do just one thing in life; do as much as you can. Teaching the fundamentals of computer organization and systems programming was this instructor’s fifth major career and he claimed to have no regrets about any of his greatly varied and interesting past.
Many middle-aged people just live week to week, month to month, and year to year without changing anything. They establish a routine and live it out every single day, resigned to fester in the mundanity of suburban existence. Stagnation is no state to live your life in. From my point of view, the entire point of life should be found in the extraordinary. The things that you do not get to encounter on a daily basis while you’re subsisting are the things to be strived for. Vacations, getaways, unique encounters, and ridiculous fun should be pursued continuously.
There is a prevalent “American work ethic” that dictates a certain pattern of behavior. Most often, it manifests itself by indoctrinating young people with the notion that life must be a struggle toward some eventual or even unattainable goal. The US’s laughable vacation allotments, scarce holidays, and grueling work schedules reflect the working class’s collective outlook on life: it’s bleak and uneventful.
Every person has the right to do whatever it is that he or she pleases with regard to his or her own life, including activities restricted to the mundane, but I think that entirely misses the point of living. Do what you are able to do, go where you are able to go, and live while you are able to live. Making smart choices along the way will help you achieve more in the long term, but the most successful life, in my eyes, is one that is lived at every moment possible, not one that is constantly striving for a single unattainable goal or resigned to not strive at all.
So what you’re trying to say… is that life is short and we should make it eventful?
when i grow up, i wanna live like this.
passion is such an important part of living, i hope i never lose it, or find it quickly if i ever do. i hope this for you, too.
Absolutely correct Mr. Bradford. I know for myself, my fiance and I are opening a care home for Mentally Handicap, which is something we’ve both agreed would be enjoyable. On top of opening such a facility, we have financial and casual freedom to do what we want when we want. Life sucks working the grind, why I’m done with IT. I’d like to enjoy my life with my family and have fun along the way!