I find this funny and quotable. With that said it raises some interesting thoughts in my mind. Primarily on purpose and intention and the perils of unchecked ambition and “grind culture.” It is often said, especially of American culture, some people work to live and some people live to work.
Reading this meme I thought about all the people who constantly post quotes on social media to the effect of intentionally struggling. I thought of all the people I know or can imagine who would take someone saying this as a sign of laziness or such. I thought of all the people who get upset by how “soft” society is. And I thought…. Isn’t that the point? Aren’t most people trying to be more comfortable? They are working hard to earn money to buy good food, better food, a comfortable home and furnishings, a comfortable car, clothing, perhaps to pay for machines or people to help reduce their chores and free up their time.
And it is just this funny idea to me- that most people “step outside their comfort zone” in order to take the chances in life to achieve things to help them be MORE comfortable. One of those seeming contradictions like “you have to spend money to make money” or “to be happy with others you must first be happy alone.” That itself is fine- the logic of these things may seem counterintuitive at a glance but it makes sense- provided we are reasonable. I see a problem where people start to see the means to the goal as a goal. I knew a guy who didn’t make much and went to some seminar where they told him to be wealthy you need to spend like you are wealthy. He took this advice in the wrong way and started buying fancy things he couldn’t afford and throwing cash around. That was not what was meant and obviously didn’t help him build wealth.
So I find it interesting because I’ve met a lot of people in recent years who see “the grind” almost like a goal- they see comfort as an enemy, forgetting in some part that the entire reason they often set out to grind was to be able to afford comfort. Perhaps a good balance is needed as is true of most things.
Reading this meme I thought about all the people who constantly post quotes on social media to the effect of intentionally struggling. I thought of all the people I know or can imagine who would take someone saying this as a sign of laziness or such. I thought of all the people who get upset by how “soft” society is. And I thought…. Isn’t that the point? Aren’t most people trying to be more comfortable? They are working hard to earn money to buy good food, better food, a comfortable home and furnishings, a comfortable car, clothing, perhaps to pay for machines or people to help reduce their chores and free up their time.