It is FREQUENTLY claimed that modern living is becoming increasingly hurried, harried – even frenzied – a picture of nervous tension and insecurity. In our world today, this insecurity is not an economic one. To some extent, of course, poverty and unemployment will always be with us; but it has never affected so small a fraction of the people. What then, is the cause of this frenzy?
Some wealthy sentimentalists, who glamorize the past without giving up their modern conveniences, blame the machine age for reducing workers to soulless cogs and for taking the joy of accomplishment out of labour. True enough; when a medieval cobbler made a pair of shoes with his unaided hands, they were entirely his won achievement. If he was a master of his craft, he could take pride in his work and rejoice in it, just as, according to the Bible, the Lord rejoiced after finishing the work of creation because “He saw that it was good.”
But this same cobbler had to work from dawn to dusk, just to keep body and soul together. Not only his shoemaking but the obtaining of raw material and the selling of his finished wares took long hours. And, as to his apprentices, they were unpaid, half starved, slaves. Nowadays, machines have eliminated most physical drudgery; transportation and communication are fast and easy: and division of labour increases efficiency. Within the writer’s won work experience the work week has been reduced from forty-eight hours to thirty-five or less – not counting the increased number of paid holidays and vacation time.
The only difficulty created by the concentration of work locations is the greater distance between home and factory office Aside from “rush hour traffic.” The frantic rush is directed more to places of entertainment them to serious pursuits.
Any compulsive action, be it drink, drugs, or just driving around at breakneck speed, indicates a lack, aching void, that is covered and dulled but needed healed by the misdirected passion. However, it seems doubtful that the dissatisfaction is due to the “soulless” monotony of industrial work. In the first place brain workers are just restless as manual workers, and in the second place one finds good, careful workers as sloppy ones even at conveyor belts. The good workers are usually the more contented ones, quite aside from their greater chance to be promoted.
Modern “capitalism” also offers indirect rewards Union workers can afford to feed, clothe, and house their families comfortably; to drive good cars and to send their children to institutes of higher learning. This too is an accomplishment worth rejoicing at.
Admittedly, a man’s soul may be starved in the midst of material comfort and drive him to seek satisfaction after working hours. From drink to drag races, from the building of one’s own summer cottage or speedboat to active sports, such are the activities lumped together as the frantic rush of our time. Frequently, these pursuits are neither frantic nor aimless. Proficiency in amateur sports or craftsmanship may be an accomplishment giving as much joy as professional excellence, and sometimes a successful hobby turns into a new and more congenial profession.
Those who recognize that their restlessness is not due to mere boredom but to an inner hungry may seeker knowledge instead of diversion The United State offers free libraries, evening classes, and extension courses to such seekers. An increasing number of workers, housewives, and oldsters are thus gaining access to the accumulated knowledge of the Age. Such studies bring various rewards. Some students look for increased earning capacity; others take pride in titles and diplomas; some seek knowledge for its own sake. Some of these true seekers may find that no amount of book knowledge appeases their inner hunger – just as the legendary Dr. Faustus confessed that his thorough mastery of all arts and sciences left him no wiser than before.
As you choose the way you will live this day, remember this. Accomplishment is truly a joy that's worth experiencing over and over again.
The joy of accomplishment is in the doing. There is nothing that can match the feeling of knowing that you are making a difference.
Working to get something done enables you to discover and develop your own unique strengths. It is a highly fulfilling way to spend your time.
Accomplishment never gets old or tiresome. For each accomplishment opens the door to a whole new level of exciting possibilities.
Right now, there are all kinds of things that can be done to add value to your world. Decide to be the person who will step forward to do them.
Though the outer rewards of accomplishment are many, accomplishment is also its own reward. Choose today to make the effort, to persist with purpose and commitment, and know the special joy that accomplishment brings.
