How to win the rat race.
When I was young I was a show off, some say I am still young, I loved to ride the crane-hook and get an adrenalin buzz walking along steel beams high up where a tight-rope walker would not go without a safety net. Another incentive for being a Rigger was we were paid well. Only one thing I loved more than earning money, was spending it. Not always wisely, but it was easy come easy go back in my youth.
The first past the post is not always the winner. I was paid to do what I liked, that is how I won the rat race. As they say find an occupation you like and you never have to toil again. With the right attitude work is a pleasure, your time and effort is worthwhile. Hard work is all in our mind. I thought interesting, diverse work, out in the fresh air, keeping fit; constructing useful projects, of benefit to people, was a good game to play.
What is a winner? Mike Tyson was Heavy Weight Champion of the World and won millions in prize money, but his life was a mess. That is not my idea of a winner punching someone senseless. A winner has life skills and is aware of the effect of his actions on the world he lives in. There are many rich and famous people who are not enjoying life. Money is good if use in the right way.
I was not first past the post I stopped too often to admire the flowers and followed a few wrong paths. I learned from the detours and always found my way back on track. The people who raced past me in haste missed a lot of free gifts. The people who paused and appreciated this wondrous world were the winners.
Trophies on the shelf for worthwhile achievements are good, but there is much more to life than collecting things. No one owns a sunset, but all can enjoy it. One does not need to own a swimming pool to have a swim, there are rivers and oceans. Without envy we can appreciate many things on display without owning them. Possessions are often a hindrance to our freedom and happiness, a burden to care for and protect.
Winners do not participate in the rat race or if they do they withdraw early. I learned the hard way, like a donkey, hungrily chasing a twenty-two caret prize, I almost became a looser. Everyone makes mistakes it is not learning from them and fretting over them that is erroneous. In time these mistakes can turns out to our advantage. Never cry over spilt milk, is good advice. The loss is bad enough, without letting it spoil your day.
There is a reason why I like you two so much and this post says it all~
I like your comments because with your background your words are valued.
Letting us know we still have the full dozen eggs in the basket.
Reblogged this on closetoeighty and commented:
Who is a real winner? How to win and be happy? I love Jack’s answers.
I was going to say that the cloud shot over that empty horizon was my favourite, Jack, but scrolling down into your ‘Carpe Diem’ I beheld the most wonderful liquid sunset! Words and images hold such power, don’t they? How lucky we are 🙂
Thanks Jo, I love those wall paintings in your blog.
We are lucky because we appreciate these things.
In your travel photos you notice things that many people would over look.
I agree Jack, life is to be lived in the now, not rushed through then look back and say “been there done that”…
It is never done till Susan Boil sings.
Then it is over the adds, the endless comments and the struggling performers.
I have been there and pull the plug on TV.
We will except the challenge to live in the now.
Jack why did it not surprise me you were a ‘Rigger’ walking the heights then, and yes you have had some detours
” I learned from the detours and always found my way back on track. “.. Without some of those detours i think sometimes we would not find the right track… I know from my own experience we often need to scramble over the bumps in the road in order to see what’s over the horizon..
And the Views you have shown us Jack in your exploration of Life are well worth taking time out to stop and view..
You share your zest of life with us and show us how we rise up above the material, as you share your treasures of natures abundance and her wealth of beauty with us..
Each time I visit here Jack, I savour your words, as my eyes explore the wonderful photo’s as you show us how life was never meant to be a rat race..
So many miss so much as the race here and there.. and as you rightly say, Money does not bring happiness…
I breathe in ever deeper as your fragrance of living penetrates my soul jack.. I bow to you my friend.. for you always inspire me to achieve greater heights in life.. And ones where the sky is only limited by one’s thoughts..
Blessings _/\_
Sue xox
Sue, to know my blog is appreciated is a great reward.
I had a two fold reason for writing a blog.
I really feel I have found the sauce to, not actual happiness but to contentment or joy in life.
I wrote my blog to share this knowledge.
I had very little schooling and this would be a challenging learning experience, so in a way my reason is of self interest and when we are good to others we are automatically rewarded.
Sue I benefit from everything I do and if it is an inspiration to others that is a bonus.
Kind regards my friend Sue Dreamwalker._/\_