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

[matrixmann]

Just a similar reason for why I keep telling people which still have the choice: Why do you wanna do that stunt with spouse / lifemate, house, children, big parking parking before it? Why do you wanna live the same kind of life that all people live?
If it's people that I know, I always wonder "once you were so enthusiastic about not wanting all this shit and do an alternative way of life, but now you're like the total square - I can't believe that you really want this or I must have missed something in between..."
Especially people which, due to their circumstances of life, can't walk this way I tell this as a rhetoric question. I don't understand what's so good about the standard.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Me neither.

There are so many things to be experienced, done, seen, undergone in this life. If you don't take advantage of at least some of the opportunities that come your way you're liable to regret it.

[matrixmann]

For me it's not the experience - I think I just don't know what to do with this standard that humans put to themselves. I can't find anything enjoyable with it. But I would guess I'm not the only creature which does so. Others only lack the courage, they need to be told "that's fine to be egoistic IN THAT WAY".