"Life is much too short to allow us to be
interested in everything, but it is well that we
should be interested in as many things as
are necessary to fill our days."
(Bertrand Russell)
When I put something in the microwave to heat up for about 3 minutes (just as an example), it takes forever if I stay focused only on that.
If I use that time to wash a few dishes, it flies right by.
Take away 8 hours of sleep, and you’re left with 16 hours where an inmate faces major limitations in how to fill their time.
It must be awful; those 16 hours probably feel like 30.
Having nothing to do is deeply boring.
Remember how, when we were kids, we were always looking for something to do?
To kids, everything is new, and anything can distract us.
The thing is, as time goes on, fewer things hold our attention, and that’s why I argue for valuing our responsibilities more.
Please, I’m not talking about overworking yourself, but rather about not making a big deal out of simple things.
For the most part, I never did.
Going to school, for example, I don't remember complaining even once.
For me, it was a way to pass the time.
Gaining important knowledge for my future and meeting other kids my age.
Working presented more complicated situations because I had to take whatever came along, coming from a very poor family.
My first job was at a farmer's market stand; I didn't mind the work itself, I was even grateful to be able to bring some money home.
The real drama was having to wake up before 4:00 AM.
For an 11-year-old kid, that was sheer torture. 😉
I had other jobs with terrible aspects to them.
But most of the time, I didn't mind filling my life with work.
I didn't have that drama many people have, as if time spent on the job isn't real life.
They say the best seasoning for any food is hunger.
If you’ve already eaten your fill, another portion of your favorite meal just isn't that appealing.
The same thing goes for work.
Time off is only so good because you had to work beforehand.
Try looking at work as a way to fill your lifetime.
It won't eliminate those occasional rough patches—there almost always are some.
But you'll probably notice a lot of good moments, too.
A little bit of light where things once seemed pitch black.
✧✧✧
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