Oct

14

Work or Play?

Filed Under Inspiration 

“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he is always doing both.” – James Michener

Comments

3 Responses to “Work or Play?”

  1. MrD on November 4th, 2006 8:58 am

    So then, Mr Abare, can you distinguish the difference in your work/play?

  2. Brad Abare on November 9th, 2006 7:38 am

    That was my whole point with the quote… I don’t think there is a difference. The distinction comes with how others observe me. Am I working or playing? You decide!

  3. MrD on November 26th, 2006 8:19 pm

    Well, you do seem to enjoy work and play equally. Though my observations pick up a little more serious look on your face when you’re in the work mode.
    I think I can tell the difference and I’ll bet your wife can, too.
    I do think the original quote is a bit on the idealistic side. It speaks of the “being” more than the “doing”. Many of us don’t choose doing the same things at play that we do at work. Even if we really enjoy our work. I can’t always live in the philosophical zone when there’s bills to pay. I can look at life from that zone to some extent, but where my live interacts with others, that zone quickly takes a back seat to what I HAVE to do to live life.
    So the mastery of living would evade most of us if the criteria is how much we appear to blend our enjoyment into work/play.
    And THEN there’s the aspect of working at something we completely detest but honor and purpose come from it.
    And playing at something we completely enjoy with no other purpose at all.
    Just some random neural firings

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