This Labour Day, I hope everyone can lean into whatever exists near at hand to remind you that you are *so* much more than what you do.
Yes, even if you feel like you can't stop working.
Even if your industries, like mine, are doing poorly, and you have no idea if you'll ever be stable.
I was called a "workaholic" in Canada, but I worked the way I did out of fear. Basic need. As so many of you do, too.
We may be stuck on difficult hamster wheels.
They are still not the whole of who we are.
@MLClark You're not a workaholic. You're in your prime. This is when, mentally and physically, you're at the peak of your productivity.
There was a time when, in addition to my day job, I had my writing career, was doing political consulting, and was doing photography for minor league baseball teams.
As I got older, I learned to cut back and prioritize what was important.
The money from my "prime" helped me be reasonably financially secure in my dotage.
@WordsmithFL @MLClark Same here, Stephen. I'm needing to slow down because I'm in my mid-60s. But back in the day I was training a young horse, teaching special education full time (and commuting 40 miles one way), writing, taking ballet and yoga classes, and gardening. As well as housework.
Working hard in my prime allows me to not juggle as much now...but I need to be doing more and different things, still.
@joycereynoldsward Minor league teams trusted me to work in foul territory because I knew the game and could stay out of the way. I always said I'd quit when I became an impediment.
At age 52, in one game I got hit by a foul line drive, and run over by a first baseman chasing a pop foul.
I knew my time had come.
I had to give up politics as a condition from my wife agreeing to move to Florida.
@WordsmithFL had to give up politics for similar reasons in NE Oregon.
@WordsmithFL @MLClark
Very, very wise words. Thank you for them. 🙏🏻🙏🏻