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Being a loafer
Fenix
Veteran
So, I always am really horrible writing discussions, to sound like something worthy talking about. However, there is a problem in my experience and I wondered about the sangha´s feelings on something like being out of work.
See, I live in a country, were I´m paid everything I need and I don´t have to do anything.
I want to do something with my life, that I want to do. Not what is supposed of me.
Am I a totally useless loafer, since I´m not doing work. Or is someone considered a Loafer if they choose not to do work?
At the moment, I go to a evening colloge for adults. In my spare time I volunteer at the animal shelter. I read the most fascinating books, I draw, I imagine, I meditate. Everything I want to. But now I should be doing, from 8 - 5 work so that most of the things I do would be out of the question. I know this is a reality for some people and I´m not trying to be offensive about that. so should I work, to live, to work?
Here´s a video on something that is pertinent
See, I live in a country, were I´m paid everything I need and I don´t have to do anything.
I want to do something with my life, that I want to do. Not what is supposed of me.
Am I a totally useless loafer, since I´m not doing work. Or is someone considered a Loafer if they choose not to do work?
At the moment, I go to a evening colloge for adults. In my spare time I volunteer at the animal shelter. I read the most fascinating books, I draw, I imagine, I meditate. Everything I want to. But now I should be doing, from 8 - 5 work so that most of the things I do would be out of the question. I know this is a reality for some people and I´m not trying to be offensive about that. so should I work, to live, to work?
Here´s a video on something that is pertinent
0
Comments
Ye, thats true, I did ask. But, still, I can´t imagine living to work, work for a living, you know?
I dont want to waste my time. Doing some bullshit. standing round all day, calling it work, so you can fit into the social structure. makes me angry.
doing work for works sake, under the slogan "atleast I´m not like one of those loafers"
be it work and outside of work. slowly work is becoming more comfortable.
just make the best out of everything. and if you're going to loaf. well enjoy it haha.
I guess its no different than being born into a rich family. And the fact that most people say things like "work hard" yada yada, on forever. Just that fact that people say things like that I know that they have to be wrong. you know. Can anyone relate?
@taiyaki
Thanks for the comment. It is a philosophical stance which you present. when I am looking for something more concrete.
I am content for you to be paid my hard earned tax contribution so you can pursue your dreams and life.
It is for you to decide what you do with your life, how you live it and your contribution to society - consider carefully whether you take more than you receive - if you do, then you may find yourself (more often than not) in conflict with yourself and others.
Just make sure it makes you happy and it's fulfilling.
What is stopping you?
it is a game. making money to pay the bills and putting a bit of it aside to help others (taxes) and share services.
now if we all play the game, reasonably, then we all get to live a decent life.
and if too many people take advantage of the game and slack off, the whole system will crumble.
that's the theory.
if it was my game we would all sit around and do nothing but hippies tried that and it usually didn't work for them. After a while, living on some commune, they realized it was a pain in the ass and alot of work to actually grow the food, make the cloths...
And decided the other game was easier so they went back
there are always alternative to the usual game, no one force me to participate in society.
if i wanted to, i'd save some money and buy a patch of land, then stay by myself and try to survive. but that seem quite uncomfortable and difficult so it's not very tempting to me.
so i chose the society game instead.
Physical labor gives you a real sense of purpose, and of course money.
I believe you are still young - 21? This is a time in your life where you can look into all kinds of work/studies/research that might interest you. If everything is free for you, education must be free as well. Are you curious about science? Do you like to make things? Would you like to improve processes? Or learn something that will inspire others to learn it too?
Are you perhaps stuck in a rut because you see your society with the same boring mindset that you see all around you? Now that you have left the army and that restrictive lifestyle behind you, it is time for you to start imagining what might be fun and/or rewarding - the equivalent of the dance that Allan Watts referred to. Expand your horizon and experience the difference.
Find a beat that you cannot resist :-)
Best wishes!
you are living in comfort but you are also sensitive to the issue and be aware of it...thats double good karma...
I like lady_alison's advice...help oher people...
if I were you - if I don't have to work - then I would create a working schedule for myself 9-5...mornings I would go to hospital, evenings I go to homeless shelter and somehow spend my day meaningful...there you have your job and you continue to create good karma...
so much comfort is not good...you fall a sleep...
I do already have an degree from a vocational school, but I cant get into university with it. The good thing is I don´t have to go threw all of collage, just the things that will prep me for Finals, so then I can become a graduate.
I´d love to become a psychologist, I think. Thanks for the comment!
Governments should tackle the problem where to exist off the benefits that the money of others provides, is easier than making your own way. It shouldn't be easier to be a loafer, it should be far more difficult.
As usual, it's the middle layer of society that pays... the rich can afford to not work, and the lower end of society relies on the tax deductions of the working masses to provide them with everything they want.
This middle strata of society is referred to as the 'shit' in the sandwich, and people deliberately sponging off my hard-earned money, really make me feel like shit.
(and please let's not get into the benefits fraudsters.... they're deliberately cheating the system, and wantonly breaking the law. That gets my goat too.....)
i have worked really hard in the past 7 years to support myself and my husband as he went through university to earn his 1st class honours degree in Law.
It's no exaggeration to say that in all this time - all of it - we have had absolutely NO spare disposable income, and we do have debts.
But because I earn over a specific threshold, I am not entitled to any financial assistance, consideration or support.
Now I find that there are loafers, who are wondering whether it should be better to just keep loafing? Deliberately?
On MY money?
I am supporting people like you?
Forgive me if I refrain from further comment.
I'm supposed to be a lady....
meditating all day (and dealing with these "shame, fear, and all negative emotions") everyday is very hard work.
for me at least, much harder than my day job.
I think you'll find the Buddha didn't achieve his loafing by deliberately living of the financial hard work of others and taking advantage of people...that wasn't his objective.
Being a Monk and living a life of austerity requires personal dedication and self-discipline....
so capitalism makes us believe we must work or else....
or else, what?
Let me see you trying to live as a monk would, without any means of financial or socially funded support.
work creates pride, self-respect and self-worth.
I work, and I'm proud of what i do.
The very fact that Fenix is questioning his stance makes me think he doesn't feel the same way about what he's doing.
And who are you to tell me i have no positive traits to my work?
the fact that i can put a grateful smile on the face of a client, because they like the service, isn't drudgery to me....
you generalise and pass judgement on something you obviously feel very biased against.
in my opinion - fired by a long career and a lifetime's experience - you are so wrong, it's crazy.....
How old are you, by the way?
The animal shelter volunteering or other volunteer opportunities may turn into a paying job eventually, you never know. Are there any organizations in your area that work in human rights or international development? Humanitarian work like that can be very rewarding.