9 to 5

[poliphilo]

The kind of life that everyone is supposed to want- safe, secure, prosperous, no serious worries or upsets, steady employment, 2.5 children- all that sort of thing-  is the kind that people are most likely to regret when they look back from the lip of the grave. On the other hand a rackety sort of life, full of changes of scenery and fortune- with slidings up and down the social scale- is the kind they're most likely to be pleased with.

We're not timorous beasties, us humans- we're designed for hardship and adventure. Our brains and bodies are adaptable and resilient. They crave the fullest exercise we can give them. 9 to 5 is not really what we want.

I look back and, by and large, the things I'm proudest of are the risks I took.

Comments

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

You sell yourself short.

I think of you as a person who loves the natural world, who notices things (like Hardy) and attempts to make sense of experience through "the intolerable struggle with words".

[heleninwales.livejournal.com]

Yes, but puddleshark can do that because they have a secure job and home (at least as far as I know).

My husband and I always say (on hearing the latest scandal or complicated life an acquaintance is leading), how on earth do they find time to do the things they enjoy doing when just living their life takes so much effort and angst?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Wanting security as a means to an end is different from wanting it as an end in itself.

Actually there's nothing really wrong with wanting security etc- it's just that an eventful life is more interesting.