Monday, April 17, 2006

work:

the act of mindlessly prostituting ones body to carry out menial tasks for the sake of acquiring material possessions or paying off debt.

One takes precious time off his life sacrificing eight hours per day to the wanton demands of a power hungry overlord commonly referred to as a “boss”. At the end of his life I wonder if he would look back and say “if only I could have worked more”—no, no my friends, such words would be foolishness. However, this is the great conflict; to participate in the government’s evil capitalistic scheme by yielding our God-given freedom annexed by this “work”? Or to run free, poor as animals but rich as the fields in spring? ‘Tis a great evil that modern man is faced with this cruel cruel decision. For the first perspective ensures security and financial prosperity—but at the cost of ones freedom. Many times he is forced to work at a desk in a drab city appeasing superiors in constant fear of loosing the job. The ladder choice ensures nothing at all, but it taunts freedom and independence, adventure and unknown—but for who’s benefit? We call this choice the hermit choice. For what good is a person who, with potential for good and ability for changing the world, runs off into the mountains to seek selfish sanctuary? He is a hermit and does nothing with the time he is given. There is a quote that says “I am only one tree in a forest, but still I am one tree”. So the worlds a horrible place—but to run and hide cannot be the answer.

Recently I’ve been talking to one of my friends about exploring South America. Apparently there’s a bunch of unsummited mountains and unexplored mountain ranges down there waiting for some overconfident white boys to discover. Naturally, my buddies and I were the first to nominate ourselves for this mission. But many times I ponder the idea of spending so much of ones life pursuing a personal mission that neither benefits nor inhibits others. Not that inhibiting others is good, it’s all just a bit apathetic sounding. This was the inspiration for the above rant.

7 comments:

Lindsay said...

If you wrote a book (which i highly reccommend you do), you would make millions.. Therefore, you wouldn't have to work another day, and would then have the rest of your life to summit the un-summit.. ed. :)

Janice said...

see, the trick is not hate your job. i happily get up at three AM on a saturday to do my job. i can't imagine working at a desk, i would cry and then probably slit my wrists, or re-enact office space fish guttings. ugh. may we never lead bland lives.

Béthany said...

have you been talking about south amrica without notifying me???

brent, whatever you do, do it fully, you don't have to second guess youself, beat youself up over motivations or purposes or whatever, it mostly serves to stall motion...i'm learning that motion is better... i wish i could follow my own advice sometimes. i wish you would come to south america and explore mountain ranges and tell me what you find out.

Pamela Joy said...

I think you are facing a classic struggle of people our age... what's the point of it all... or something like that. I don't know. I often ponder the meaninglessness of mosts jobs out there, of most things I do with my life and time - it's easy to get very ecclesiastical about it all. thankfully you know what the real point is, and so do I.

luke said...

borrrring. i got a joke for you. what did one poor person say to the other poor person? who cares!

Chrissy2sheds said...

Hi from Prague . We are visiting our twin Church. Some things here will never change but it's getting very expensive! If you do go to South America Stephen (son )will give you some tips. He did a programme on the Travel Channel about Peru and Machu Picchu

Justin N said...

Hey Brent, remember that one time when you said you were going to call... Well we are only in Chicago for another two weeks and then gone off to our places for the summer of insane working and drudgery...Call sometime next week cuz i'm out for a lacrosse tourney this weekend.
PAce Fuori