The Life of Riley

One of the best reading I did this summer is Ernie J. Zelinski's book 'The Joy of NOT Working.' It about how you can live the Life of Riley, whether you are retired, unemployed or working. The book enabled me to see and understand what the Life of Riley truly means. If you haven't heard of that expression before, 'The Life of Riley' is a popular expression that denotes a good life. A person living the Life of Riley is satisfied and happy. Contrary to what people might think it is. It isn't just taking a vacation and bringing your cell phone and work with you. That's NOT the Life of Riley at all. And, it may surrpise people that what it takes to live the Life of Riley isn't dependent upon a certain interest, activity or way of life, instead, living the Life of Riley only requires a state of mind (perception is everything) that entails creativity (paying attention) on the value of leisure time.

I admit I work pretty hard in almost all of the jobs I ever had. I have taken time off during my father's last 6 months of life a few years ago, and I have also given myself this temporary break after returning to San Francisco from Hong Kong. So, I do consider myself 'unemployed' at the moment even though I am working on a graduate degree. For the first time in my life, I asked myself what is the meaning of leisure time even though I am one that hardly gets bored anyways. But, I just thought it's about time to really understand how to maximize the quality of life and I don't believe it is with money that gives us a quality of life. That is a big illusion that has been fed to us by society and culture since we were little kids. I thought it's about time to re-examine my beliefs about leisure time, and what it means to be unemployed, and what does a quality of life really means.

From Zelinski's book, he writes:

'If you are like most people, you put many years of preparation into entering the world of work, but little or no preparation into leaving it. Provided you take the right approach, you can discover a whole new and exciting world out there without work. Being away from the workplace allows you to enjoy life in a way not available to you when you are working. It's the time of your life to have the time of your life, whether you are unemployed or retired.' The day you wind up with a great deal of spare time through retirement or unemployment is the day you get to test who you really are. Extra leisure time will be a gift from heaven, if you take the time to grow as a person and don't keep your identity tied to your former job. You get to experience everything through your own essence, instead of through the demands and directions of society, the business world, and the media.'

And, it is safe to say that for the first time in my life, this summer of 2009 was one of the best I ever had, and it has taught me the meaning of The Life of Riley. There were so much to do, and so much to enjoy that I believe this transition to life without work have been amazing. I love it! I believe a job couldn't give you the amount of joy and success that is inherently valuable in leisure.

The book also included Ralph Waldo Emerson's definition of success. I put up this quote in every office I ever had. It's just a reminder of The Life of Riley when I am working. I know I could really be a workaholic if I wanted to but no way. See, at the end it's not about being employed or not, though one think it is, but what we do with the time we have on earth, that will bring about joy and meaning and not necessarily just money and what others think you should have. Thanks to Ernie Zelinski for writing a book that will define the summer of 2009 for me. I will remember that for always. ;-)

Here's the famous quote:

What is Success? - By Ralph Waldo Emerson
To laugh often and love much;
To win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children;
To earn the approval of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To give of one's self without the slightest thought of return;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a rescued soul, a garden patch or redeemed social condition;
To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exaltation;
To know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived;
This is to have succeeded.

Amen.

Thanks for reading!