Panther88
Banned
I remember after my 2nd year out of school my director posing this very question to me. He noticed how I was spending 15+ hour days @ work freely and I basically had zero social life. At that point in my life, I chose to live to work and lived FOR work. My job/career was my ENTIRE life and everything else was secondary (besides religion for it was truly first). He spoke of some things that I couldn't relate to at that time... Like, if I were to pass that very day, did I think the company would continue to function w/out me. Of course, my dumb arse said "no. I think my vacancy from this spot will cause such and such and such and such to happen... and that will prevent this group from gaining ground on delivering the product to the customer in a timely fashion, ..." He abruptly stopped me and said "You're wrong Panthro (okay, Ricky). We'll bring someone in no later than a week after your departure to replace you and life will continue as if you were never here... blah blah blah"
Even some years after that event, I still found myself facing that same type question except it was stated differently (most recently). My godfather (RIP) and others saw how tight I was w/ $$$$ and always willing to slave to get $$$$$, but, was always hesitant to spend $$$$$ on anything, myself, or anyone else. I used to drive this old ass raggedy truck to my hometown frequently during the nineties. This thing had no air and no heat ( ). I PROUDLY drove the thing for over 6+ years. Well, upon one of my visits, my godfather did something that he'd never done. He got up in my grill . He asked me: "What the hell are you working for son? You make all that dayum money and you're scared to spend it? You haven't changed one dayumed bit! What the hell did you go to all of those schools for? You look stupid for riding in that raggedy ass truck! As much money as you make, you should have a nineteen-ninety so and so and so for Monday, Tuesday, and a different one for Wednesday and Thursday.... isht! I see I didn't teach you isht! When you're dead and gone, there won't be a u-haul trailer pulling your money to the grave w/ you.... Enjoy your money while you're breathing son... That's the reason why you work..."
Granted, he knew that I'd just had this home built and that I had other vehicles. But, it's just that I chose to drive that raggedy ass truck EVERYWHERE (especially to the hometown)... Loved that vehicle and I couldn't explain to anyone what that "three-on-the-tree" did for me in terms of keeping me well rooted and w/out the big-head. Especially when that raggedy ass SOB broke down frequently on IH635 or 183 DURING RUSH HOUR!!! I can LOL about it now... hahahahahahhahaa
So, I said all of that to ask this question. Well, another statement first. I USED to ask myself why people would finance a big arse boat for 20 years, a big arse Benzo for 7+ years, a TRUE sportscar for 6-7 years w/ ridiculous payments of over 800$ per month, an RV for 20+ years, own a 2nd or even 3rd home in remote places, ... Is it that they too are walking this fine line of enjoying the fruits of their labor? Or, am I quick to state that they're way over their head and living above their means?
So, now I ask... Are you living to work or working to live?
Panthro!
ps
<b>
Disclaimer: This thread was not created to be a pep-rally of sorts for everyone to go out and buy a friggin' 2002 Escalade, cigar speed boat, corvette, ... LOL Just thought provoking.
Even some years after that event, I still found myself facing that same type question except it was stated differently (most recently). My godfather (RIP) and others saw how tight I was w/ $$$$ and always willing to slave to get $$$$$, but, was always hesitant to spend $$$$$ on anything, myself, or anyone else. I used to drive this old ass raggedy truck to my hometown frequently during the nineties. This thing had no air and no heat ( ). I PROUDLY drove the thing for over 6+ years. Well, upon one of my visits, my godfather did something that he'd never done. He got up in my grill . He asked me: "What the hell are you working for son? You make all that dayum money and you're scared to spend it? You haven't changed one dayumed bit! What the hell did you go to all of those schools for? You look stupid for riding in that raggedy ass truck! As much money as you make, you should have a nineteen-ninety so and so and so for Monday, Tuesday, and a different one for Wednesday and Thursday.... isht! I see I didn't teach you isht! When you're dead and gone, there won't be a u-haul trailer pulling your money to the grave w/ you.... Enjoy your money while you're breathing son... That's the reason why you work..."
Granted, he knew that I'd just had this home built and that I had other vehicles. But, it's just that I chose to drive that raggedy ass truck EVERYWHERE (especially to the hometown)... Loved that vehicle and I couldn't explain to anyone what that "three-on-the-tree" did for me in terms of keeping me well rooted and w/out the big-head. Especially when that raggedy ass SOB broke down frequently on IH635 or 183 DURING RUSH HOUR!!! I can LOL about it now... hahahahahahhahaa
So, I said all of that to ask this question. Well, another statement first. I USED to ask myself why people would finance a big arse boat for 20 years, a big arse Benzo for 7+ years, a TRUE sportscar for 6-7 years w/ ridiculous payments of over 800$ per month, an RV for 20+ years, own a 2nd or even 3rd home in remote places, ... Is it that they too are walking this fine line of enjoying the fruits of their labor? Or, am I quick to state that they're way over their head and living above their means?
So, now I ask... Are you living to work or working to live?
Panthro!
ps
<b>
Disclaimer: This thread was not created to be a pep-rally of sorts for everyone to go out and buy a friggin' 2002 Escalade, cigar speed boat, corvette, ... LOL Just thought provoking.