The New-Age American Dream

I'm stunned to think that people want to work forever, or more accurately until they are in their mid 60's. I thought the American Dream was to have a nice big house with a pickett fence, a proper, exquisitely happy family and a cookout in the backyard. But how are you supposed to have a cookout when Dad's at work. Even if he get's off at 5, he still has to drive through traffic, swing over to the gas station to get gas, and when he gets home its dark outside. Or even if its on the weekends, Dad is sleeping in because he's burnt out from his boss riding is butt all week. Then he takes his frustrations out on the kids or his wife is unhappy because she doesn't get to see him because she too is working during the week. And it seems that 60 hours is the new standard to make a half-way decent income and keep your job. And yet you still get paid for 40 hrs???

Take a step forward into our generation. Social security depletion scares run rampant through the government, and promises can no longer be kept. But a majority of our checks go to it anyways. Companies everywhere are cutting costs because of cost of living and gas going up. What choice do they turn to? A RiF. Reduction in force of employees. There went your job like THAT. What makes someone think that can't happen to them, like they are invulnerable to such loss of work. You aren't as valuable as Ackhmed who gets paid half as much for the same job overseas. I digress.

I don't say what I said to rant. Because I, of all people, pay no attention to problems that are going to happen anyway or have not yet happened. Its a waste of life and an instigator to premature wrinkles. And I like my eyes the way they are. ;) But I spoke of plans to retire early to two of my friends, and I received a similar response. It kind of went like this:

Mediocrity: "What have YOU been up to Josh? Where has life brought you?"

Me: "Well, I've been working on a business project to make some nice income. Going to school, but really not to keen on what I WANT to do for a career, but I'm studying Health Sciences to get the nice piece of paper to hang on the wall. Plan A and B is to retire before 30 and Plan C is to become a nurse practitioner and specialize in something of importance and worthy pay. But Plan C entails working till im 55 or older so I'm focusing on the first choice as much as possible."

Mediocrity: "Well I hope plan a or b works out....... but who wouldn't want to work till they are 55........ You wont get bored."

Bored!?!? Bored. Why would I be bored if I didn't work and had enough income to do whatever I choose? I'd be having more fun than ever because I wouldn't have to go to school anymore (because we all know that school guarantees security in this world, right? Ha). Work is just as evil a word as school. Who wants to physically and mentally stress themselves out for 40-45 yrs and then retire with only 3 yrs to live because you have already had one stroke and are primed and ready for a heartattack from all the stress of "loving your job". No one loves their job. Well, let me rephrase that. There are some that do have a passion for what they do. Those are the few willing to take chances and risks (relating usually to little pay and restricted lifestyle, at first) in order to build themselves up into a position of financial and emotional security. Like artists, musicians, and men of character willing to step forward while everyone else stands still.

I wouldn't ever put "job" and "love" in the same category. If you have ever gotten angry at least once and came home and wished you hadn't had to go to work that day, you don't love your job. And I like how some categorize it as a career. That just sounds like a death sentence; a contract where you sign your life away on the dotted line for multiple years because you've already committed to a routine that will determine your lifestyle.

Think of it. Its appropriate that they call your job a "position", because most times you bend over and take it in the end. Pun intended. Life literally puts it in your ass, and its mainly at your job. It's the only thing that can ruin a beautiful day. A job. The only thing that can keep you from where you'd rather be...is a job. The only time you'll ever be bossed around, besides when you are 10 years old...your job. The only bearing on your financial position is your performance at, you guessed it, your job. And when you want more money for the hard work you put in, they give you a 5% raise. Hey 5% can equate to alot...but not when the cost of living went up 6%. You just got punk'd.

Why do I want to retire as early as possible. Because, as Switchfoot would say, we were meant to live for so much more. Wouldn't you want to kiss your children on the forehead every morning when they come barging in through the doors of your 1000 sq. ft. bedroom at whatever time of the morning they choose? Or would you rather kiss your bosses back end at 8:00 sharp? I'll get bored of that a lot quicker than having to work for the rest of my life. I look forward to the long vacations, the amazing new experiences that most will never get to experience, and every moment that my kids decide to smile. I'll be there. That's worth fighting for. Freedom.