Work is a blessing

I do believe that work is a blessing, but only to an extent. It is healthy to stay active with various responsibilities and a work load that is tolerable because it provides a way to express and engage an individual. My grandfather used to be an incredibly active man, working 70 hour weeks, participating in nearly every sport, and always playing with my mother and uncles. However, after some car accidents, sports related injuries, and mental obstacles he has reversed his way of life to an extreme. Today, he stays on the couch watching whatever sport or car show is on, he barely eats, and he rarely walks more than a half mile in one day.

I believe as a result of his inactivity he has lost an incredible portion of his memory and has continuous health problems. My family constantly tries to get him to be more active by gardening, walking, or starting small projects around the house, however nothing works.

Work can also be detrimental to someone’s health. Often it can cause lack of sleep, serious levels of stress, and can distract a person from the events in their life they most want to participate in, such as their child’s baseball game, a friend’s wedding, or a holiday. Like anything, it can be a good thing in moderation. Generally, too much of anything is bad. In order to stay healthy and happy a balance between work and play must be balanced. Additionally, life will be made easier if you enjoy the work you do. Seth Godin once said, “Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, maybe you should set up a life you don’t need to escape from.” Work can be a blessing if you allow it to be, and I beg you to never overlook that.