DECISIONS, DECISIONS
I recently read an article about unhappiness in the face of plenty. The article discussed various reasons and noted that the absence of work may be a reason for unhappiness. The article explored the intense desire to work even when there is no economic necessity to work. That is, there is something about work which transcends making a living. The article discussed retirement, the ceasing of work, the restful period we all supposedly look forward to but suggested that ceasing to work may be harmful. Work helps to define our lives but, more importantly, work helps us to determine what to do at given times, to eliminate decisions.
I've long thought about the good things work does for us. Work makes us feel valuable, makes us feel wanted and needed, provides a community of people with common aims, establishes a social life of a sort, creates a family for those who have no other family. But I hadn't previously thought about the function of work in making certain decisions for us.
Decisions are stressful. Everyone faces decisions, career and personal decisions, financial and family decisions, big and small decisions. Most of us agonize over some or all of our decisions, worry whether we're making the right decision, wonder about the consequences of our decisions. Most of us wish we didn't have to make so many decisions, many of us would be happier if someone else would make our decisions for us. Given these common feelings about decisions, a means of avoiding decisions may be welcome.
I'm at an age where many of my friends have formally retired. In most cases, within a few months, these friends are seeking to return to work. It may not be the same kind of work, it may be charitable work or participating in clubs or something entirely different from their former jobs, but it is always something which has a regular schedule, defined tasks, efforts to reach a goal. I think the lesson is clear: We need work, work is essential to happiness, work makes our lives and work eliminates at least some of the decisions which vex us.
Work. You'll be happier and at least some of the stresses of life will be eliminated.
12-18-00 [The Internet Grandfather would welcome suggestions for future topics. Please send an e-mail by clicking on the e-mail button if you have any ideas. Thank you.]
Coming next: Christmas