A man died and woke up in the next world. He found himself in a beautiful place. He rested in that lovely spot, and then he grew bored. He called out, “Is anybody here?”
A servant dressed in white manifested himself and asked in a serious tone, “What do you wish?”
“What can I have?”
“Whatever you want.”
“May I have something to eat?”
Indeed, he could. Attendants brought him a gourmet meal filled with items he enjoyed when living on earth. Satisfied, the man went to sleep.
When he awoke, he asked for another feast and received it. But after a while, he desired more. He called for games. And many, many games were brought to him for his pleasure.
He then asked for books, and volumes and volumes were delivered to him–anything he desired to read.
At last, he had no unfulfilled desires, so he shouted and pleaded, “I want something to do!”
The chief servant reappeared and said, “I’m sorry, sir, but that is the only thing we cannot give you here.”
The man was desperate for something to do, and in his anxiety, he cried out, “I’m sick and tired of everything here. I’d rather go to hell!”
“Where do you think you are?” asked the steward.[*]
That fable sounds like a creepy episode from The Twilight Zone. Yet this fictitious story offers insight into the human spirit. People need to be productive, which is why work is so important.
Work is not the most crucial thing in the world, but work is critical. Somewhere out there is a sweet spot of good old-fashioned productivity.
Not workaholicism.
Not unending days off.
But a reliable rhythm of work and rest.
Aim for the sweet spot of productive work. Find something worthwhile to do, and do it well.
Mark
Author of Holy Chaos How To Walk with God in a Frenzied World
[*] Fable attribution to The Best of Bits and Pieces, Copyright 1994 by The Economics Press, Inc.