Yesterday I asked what your ideal life would be. Some of you I suspect may have said “I don’t want to work anymore”, or some version of it.
This is not a good answer.
While the idea of not working anymore sounds good on some levels, this is not what we are here for, or made for.
A life that does not serve anyone in any way can’t be one that brings satisfaction. (Be careful what you wish for.) It may be fun for a while, but not having a purpose, not using our rational minds to create positive results will lead to stagnation, and/or accelerated aging, a loss of our mental edge, and feeling no purpose.
Yes, there may be a time for “retirement” from a particular job, but to go to a figurative rocking chair at age 55, 60 or 65 and do nothing is a waste of your experience, life, time and talent.
Of course, you can have a worthy purpose and use your abilities to make a meaningful contribution without having a paying job.
But to be a consumer and not a producer, while it is our right to do so, is immoral. Any excuse that you have enough money to do so has nothing to do with it.
Men and women were given faculties to be used.
The answer “My ideal life would be to do nothing (but entertain yourself)(and be served no matter how much money you have)” is a poor choice that will not bring about any feelings of you being the best version of you in the world.
What is your ideal life?
More on this tomorrow….
Well said Larry.
This is a great message, thanks for taking the time to do these – I read every one
Thank you for great opportunities and a GREAT PLACE TO WORK!
What an awesome post! At 62 I have started a Roofing, siding and window business with 2 people that were supposed to run this and well now I have a purpose every morning to get up and do more. I have been a Realtor for almost 20 years and while that is a great money maker I thought I would build something for my retirement. I like having a purpose to get up and help others to build their future and the challenge and opportunities it bring me each day.
Amazing message. My ideal life is the game of figuring out how to serve enough people to provide the financial security I’m looking for for myself and family, while being fulfilled by that work because it is a useful service to the market. If I can get to the point where I’m delegating a lot of the tasks I either don’t do well or don’t enjoy, that would be enough “retirement” for me. I believe there always needs to be strong ownership presence in a company or career, or the enterprise will deteriorate sooner or later. The best restaurants have at least some ownership presence. Maybe not every day, but the rest of the company knows how involved the owners are and respond accordingly. I believe retirement is a sad idea.
Thank you for this message!
Good Morning Larry! I love your message today. This is exactly like I think! I may “retire” one day and hand my current business over to my children or whoever is most worthy. However, I fully intend to continue working and use what resources I have acquired at that point to go on and do even bigger and better things for more people. I read and believe the Bible and it says a lot about serving others and speaks strongly against idleness!
Agreed, how many people retire and are gone in a matter of years. If not “working”, volunteer.
This is a Great Message!
Thank you!
Idleness produces atrophy of the mind and body, for those who believe in God, He gave us the gift of life for the purpose of leaving the World a little better than the way we found it.