I love this thinking. For the longest time I have detested the phrase ‘work life balance’ because apparently work is something you just deal with to then enjoy life outside of work. Well thats too bad because we spend most of our lives AT work. This might be an incredibly privileged take but I’m all for finding work that you can INTEGRATE into your life and still have that peace always.
This might also be because of my background. I’m not religious myself but Hindus believe in Dharma or Duty. It’s a part of me, culturally. You do your dharma, and you achieve peace by doing it in a way that’s aligned with your soul’s true calling.
My question at this point in my life is, ‘what makes me feel most alive?” And then I embrace it and do more of it. Getting older has giving me clarity I wish I had when I was younger.
Yes. Older comes with clarity - for many. Me included. But I’m hopeful there’s a way for some to get clarity earlier- challenging now more than ever so many distractions , temptations, etc.
I love this sentiment! The hard part is finding "integratable" work. I'm struggling to find it as a white collar knowledge worker, so I can't imagine how difficult it is for the person driving the Amazon van.
Ann, I listen to this corporate coach and author, Patrick Lencioni. He talks about work as service. And how he looks at work and teaches his boys to think about it is this: where can you find joy? Even in the bleakest of moments in a job like serving tables and if his boys are having to interact with rude customers, he directs them towards who they might be making happy. If people are finding any joy because of your work, or you’re helping someone, or making your coworkers life easier, it’s service. And there’s joy in being of service. Now, I don’t know what you do so I’m not saying this will be the solution, but it’s something that I remind myself of if I’m having one of those days. Sharing in case it helps you on some of those days too.
I just spent a week studying French for 9 hours a day with about 25 like minded people (some studying Italian or Spanish). I’ve spent similar weeks studying Spanish in various places, because language study is my favorite non-paying work. Those are the trips that make me feel alive and joyful and proud of who I am and how I have pushed myself to do the things I always wanted to do and be the kind of person I always wanted to be. Humans like to work together, to feel a sense of accomplishment together, to build and create and do. But we are so pushed to sit and watch right now. I have never believed that’s what makes anyone happy! It’s great to hear your take on La dolce vita. I think your colleagues (and most people you want to be around) clearly agree.
The year was 1986 and I was 30. I was planning the opening of my store, and it was then I redefined what ‘success’ looked like to me. It was freedom from a boss, it was to buy a small house (1300 sq ft) an operating car and maybe a trip once a year. It was a simple life that would satisfy me. I was going to define success by my standards, not anyone else’s. It appears you have gotten there. Your team is lucky to have you as a mentor at such a young age. You will be able to help them see through the fog of youth.
Thank you for this. The fog of youth - I was in it, big time. I try so hard to think what could have been said to me to help clear it up - or was it just time and experience you have to wade through to get there…
Good thing you wrote this text. I remember you talking about Castellano di Grotte from the hotel in Milan, and now I understand what you were trying to describe. Thank you!!! Now I can keep doing projects with doers all year round 👍
I love this, Amy. I’m heading home tomorrow from an 8 week trip to Europe that was a mix of family and work; visiting family and seeing friends and colleagues (who are friends), trips to Athens and Prague, and long conversations and shopping at cool little Greek designer owned shops. Family keep asking how much more work I have to do, as if I am wanting to be done with all that and I answer: it never ends and smile.
such beautiful writing amy … you’ve certainly nailed the true meaning and feeling of la dolce vita i think … a good life can be lived in so many ways and a pretty postcard is not ’it' … 🖤🖤🖤 … (though your italy postcards are beautiful) … t x x x
It’s about the people, the conversation between them, the imagination that goes into craft of all kinds, the positive and productive arguments, the considerate push-pull or back-and-forth, and most of all the support that builds and improves and deepens relationships. That is what I love about life and work.
I love this thinking. For the longest time I have detested the phrase ‘work life balance’ because apparently work is something you just deal with to then enjoy life outside of work. Well thats too bad because we spend most of our lives AT work. This might be an incredibly privileged take but I’m all for finding work that you can INTEGRATE into your life and still have that peace always.
This might also be because of my background. I’m not religious myself but Hindus believe in Dharma or Duty. It’s a part of me, culturally. You do your dharma, and you achieve peace by doing it in a way that’s aligned with your soul’s true calling.
My question at this point in my life is, ‘what makes me feel most alive?” And then I embrace it and do more of it. Getting older has giving me clarity I wish I had when I was younger.
Yes. Older comes with clarity - for many. Me included. But I’m hopeful there’s a way for some to get clarity earlier- challenging now more than ever so many distractions , temptations, etc.
I love this sentiment! The hard part is finding "integratable" work. I'm struggling to find it as a white collar knowledge worker, so I can't imagine how difficult it is for the person driving the Amazon van.
Ann, I listen to this corporate coach and author, Patrick Lencioni. He talks about work as service. And how he looks at work and teaches his boys to think about it is this: where can you find joy? Even in the bleakest of moments in a job like serving tables and if his boys are having to interact with rude customers, he directs them towards who they might be making happy. If people are finding any joy because of your work, or you’re helping someone, or making your coworkers life easier, it’s service. And there’s joy in being of service. Now, I don’t know what you do so I’m not saying this will be the solution, but it’s something that I remind myself of if I’m having one of those days. Sharing in case it helps you on some of those days too.
I will also recommend the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra for anyone interested in this topic. ❤️
........a spiritual piece I will continue to reflect on......much thanks.
I just spent a week studying French for 9 hours a day with about 25 like minded people (some studying Italian or Spanish). I’ve spent similar weeks studying Spanish in various places, because language study is my favorite non-paying work. Those are the trips that make me feel alive and joyful and proud of who I am and how I have pushed myself to do the things I always wanted to do and be the kind of person I always wanted to be. Humans like to work together, to feel a sense of accomplishment together, to build and create and do. But we are so pushed to sit and watch right now. I have never believed that’s what makes anyone happy! It’s great to hear your take on La dolce vita. I think your colleagues (and most people you want to be around) clearly agree.
The year was 1986 and I was 30. I was planning the opening of my store, and it was then I redefined what ‘success’ looked like to me. It was freedom from a boss, it was to buy a small house (1300 sq ft) an operating car and maybe a trip once a year. It was a simple life that would satisfy me. I was going to define success by my standards, not anyone else’s. It appears you have gotten there. Your team is lucky to have you as a mentor at such a young age. You will be able to help them see through the fog of youth.
Thank you for this. The fog of youth - I was in it, big time. I try so hard to think what could have been said to me to help clear it up - or was it just time and experience you have to wade through to get there…
Good thing you wrote this text. I remember you talking about Castellano di Grotte from the hotel in Milan, and now I understand what you were trying to describe. Thank you!!! Now I can keep doing projects with doers all year round 👍
I love this, Amy. I’m heading home tomorrow from an 8 week trip to Europe that was a mix of family and work; visiting family and seeing friends and colleagues (who are friends), trips to Athens and Prague, and long conversations and shopping at cool little Greek designer owned shops. Family keep asking how much more work I have to do, as if I am wanting to be done with all that and I answer: it never ends and smile.
such beautiful writing amy … you’ve certainly nailed the true meaning and feeling of la dolce vita i think … a good life can be lived in so many ways and a pretty postcard is not ’it' … 🖤🖤🖤 … (though your italy postcards are beautiful) … t x x x
It’s about the people, the conversation between them, the imagination that goes into craft of all kinds, the positive and productive arguments, the considerate push-pull or back-and-forth, and most of all the support that builds and improves and deepens relationships. That is what I love about life and work.