Playing With The Future

“Serendipity. Look for something, find something else, and realize that what you've found is more suited to your needs than what you thought you were looking for." — Lawrence Block

Something happened to a good friend of mine recently. Something life changing. Something that has led him onto a path of clarity. I'm fairly sure he'd argue it was something miraculous.

He suddenly found himself unemployed. And do you know what? It was easily one of the best things to ever happen to him.

I'd be lying if I didn't say the thought of suddenly being unemployed scares the living shit out of me. I'm a father. A husband. A worrier. An overachiever. A competitor. And an unabashed workaholic.

My good friend was just like me. Heck, for much of my adult life, we've shared the same path, career, dreams and ambitions.

In unemployment, though, he has found something that I'm afraid I lost sight of a long time ago. 

Contentment.



Since my friend "retired" — as he likes to put it, he's had more free time. A lot more free time. Time he spends with his young son. Time he spends with his loving wife. Time he spends doing all those things he was going to do one day. Time he spends doing things he'd never even knew he was missing.

I have no plans of "retiring." I'm far too pragmatic. That said, I'll admit my friend's "plight" has led to some soul-searching. Have I lost sight of why I work so hard?

Mark Twain once wrote, "What work I have done I have done because it has been play. If it had been work I shouldn't have done it."

 I think it's time I learn how to play again.