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.
