Ya just gotta love what ya do

Work = Money. Money can provide virtually all you need. Though it may or may not be true, that was my though process as a child and growing up in America, I was convinced that many thought the same for we are taught to value work.

“Surely this guy has good ideas,” I thought when I saw what looked like a prominent business man approach the restaurant.  He was wearing a well-fitting suit and tie and driving a luxury brand car. Surely, he was well off.

Thinking of the American dogma that sacrificing time off to work will bring success, I was convinced talking to the business man would reveal the same truth I learned as a kid. Though vacations are nice, certainly this business man understood the value gain from working as hard as possible or he would at least have interesting views about work. “Why do you and other American’s work so hard? A lot of people sacrifice vacation because it could put them ahead. Don’t you value taking time off?” I asked.

At first, he seemed puzzled for surely the answer seemed obvious. “I work to provide for my family,” he said. “We live in a society where we can work. You ask the question as though every American is miserable about the job they do. The problem is not that American’s aren’t taking time off. The problem is that American’s are doing jobs they hate. You know the saying. If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

Thinking back to the enlightenment, people were working hard. Their work developed much innovation and set the stage for our time today. Yet for the most part, we assumed they enjoyed it. Maybe the dogma isn't that American’s shun vacation, maybe the true problem is that American’s stopped loving what they do.