When I lived abroad and came back to America, the sense of the “rat race” here was oppressive. I am retired now and sorry to hear that this constant need to be busy is still part of American culture. I find it interesting that when I check the thesaurus for the term “busyness”, the synonyms are all words valued by our society. There’s lots to say about the causes and effects, the problems and solutions related to this (as you put it) need to “make it”. My focus these days is to please God and my wife. This is my version of “making it”, and thankfully the lifestyle associated with it isn’t one that produces the stress you describe.
Tim, sadly so many christians think that pleasing God is doing and being busy even at the expense of their marriages and families... My husband and I are grieving parents, this is our third Christmas season without our only child/son Michael and just relocated from Franklin, TN to Chicago it's heartbreaking to see all the busyness of Christmas at churches wearing their staff out so people can dress up and go to service, have cookies/hot chocolate and take a picture with Santa - I'm remaining in "be still and know that I am God" I live knowing He is Enough - He is Everything
You've diagnosed the broken model that we've built here in America. Faster. Better. More. All at a time in history when there's never been greater abundance and opportunities. It's craziness.
I remember watching the way the grandparents in Barcelona walk their kids to school. And the way they shut down neighborhoods and block off streets in August to throw a *pachanga* - a great community party with tables set up in the streets and laughter and songs filling the city.
It's a better, more human way to live. Hemmingway spent a lot of time in that culture and I believe his writing was richer for it. At some point, we have to realize we have agency. We don't need more. We can live on less. And we can be happier for it.
Great post! The rat race never ends and our striving for more and to be enough seems never to cease! It’s refreshing to hear someone be honest about this affliction!
This is a very meaningful quote I've taken with me: "Perhaps, though, we don’t have to solve or despair of our problems. Perhaps we can enjoy them. We can appreciate the challenge of attempting to solve them." Thank you for sharing this.
I'm in complete agreement. I just literally, like an hour ago, turned down a potential job opportunity because I know the hustle and grind is more than I'm willing to do anymore.
I also published a newsletter today about not having to do it all this holiday season. It's okay to live at a slower pace!
Have you ever had a smartphone? I believe the evolution of technology is going to be the death of the dream, the end of the grinding, and the human rat race
You've described it perfectly. I've been driven most of my life as well and have a fairly successful career in the arts, but I'm exhausted and don't enjoy it much. People tell me I'm lucky, and I am, to be working in the arts after all these years. But I'm so tired that I've been looking for a normal 9-5 with good health benefits. I don't mind working; I am just sick of the grind.
And I love my home and my town and my community and don't want to pull up stakes. So, we have to figure out how to live a bit more lightly and find ways to pay all the bills, I guess.
When I lived abroad and came back to America, the sense of the “rat race” here was oppressive. I am retired now and sorry to hear that this constant need to be busy is still part of American culture. I find it interesting that when I check the thesaurus for the term “busyness”, the synonyms are all words valued by our society. There’s lots to say about the causes and effects, the problems and solutions related to this (as you put it) need to “make it”. My focus these days is to please God and my wife. This is my version of “making it”, and thankfully the lifestyle associated with it isn’t one that produces the stress you describe.
Well said, Tim.
Tim, sadly so many christians think that pleasing God is doing and being busy even at the expense of their marriages and families... My husband and I are grieving parents, this is our third Christmas season without our only child/son Michael and just relocated from Franklin, TN to Chicago it's heartbreaking to see all the busyness of Christmas at churches wearing their staff out so people can dress up and go to service, have cookies/hot chocolate and take a picture with Santa - I'm remaining in "be still and know that I am God" I live knowing He is Enough - He is Everything
May the Prince of Peace give you His peace
You've diagnosed the broken model that we've built here in America. Faster. Better. More. All at a time in history when there's never been greater abundance and opportunities. It's craziness.
I remember watching the way the grandparents in Barcelona walk their kids to school. And the way they shut down neighborhoods and block off streets in August to throw a *pachanga* - a great community party with tables set up in the streets and laughter and songs filling the city.
It's a better, more human way to live. Hemmingway spent a lot of time in that culture and I believe his writing was richer for it. At some point, we have to realize we have agency. We don't need more. We can live on less. And we can be happier for it.
Man, I love that. Sign me up for Barcelona!
Great post! The rat race never ends and our striving for more and to be enough seems never to cease! It’s refreshing to hear someone be honest about this affliction!
This is a very meaningful quote I've taken with me: "Perhaps, though, we don’t have to solve or despair of our problems. Perhaps we can enjoy them. We can appreciate the challenge of attempting to solve them." Thank you for sharing this.
I like to say, “I have all the problems I want.“
I'm in complete agreement. I just literally, like an hour ago, turned down a potential job opportunity because I know the hustle and grind is more than I'm willing to do anymore.
I also published a newsletter today about not having to do it all this holiday season. It's okay to live at a slower pace!
Amen. Thanks for sharing this reminder. This is so important 🫶
Have you ever had a smartphone? I believe the evolution of technology is going to be the death of the dream, the end of the grinding, and the human rat race
You've described it perfectly. I've been driven most of my life as well and have a fairly successful career in the arts, but I'm exhausted and don't enjoy it much. People tell me I'm lucky, and I am, to be working in the arts after all these years. But I'm so tired that I've been looking for a normal 9-5 with good health benefits. I don't mind working; I am just sick of the grind.
And I love my home and my town and my community and don't want to pull up stakes. So, we have to figure out how to live a bit more lightly and find ways to pay all the bills, I guess.
The no smartphone thing is the ultimate rawdog 🙇 🙇 🙇
haha, i need to write about that soon.