The rest of the time, I do what I have to.
– Cicero, The Gladiator (2000)
After 8 hours at my regular job I feel completely worn out and can’t get any sleep at night.
After 55 hours teaching a weekend long outdoor rock climbing class I feel completely worn out and get the best sleep of my life.
After 8 hours at my regular job I feel unmotivated and lethargic.
After 55 hours teaching a weekend long outdoor rock climbing class I feel like I can do anything.
When I think about why these two results are so different, I think about how much it matters to live a life that has meaning for you.
I think about how important joy really is.
I think about how the way your time is consumed can starve you, or feed you.
I’m not naive, I know we all have to pay in one way or another to live in this world. I know that often means doing work that is necessary to survive rather than thrive.
But I also know that the world would be so much better if we could just give all of ourselves to the things that matter to us, instead of giving most of ourselves to the things required of us.