I heard someone mutter the latter yesterday morning and it got me to thinking… Does the general popularity of these phrases have anything to do with a society-wide deficiency of aspirations and lack of motivation? Each phrase by itself seems innocent enough, but when placed next to one another it draws a bigger, darker picture depicting an endless cycle of empty progress.
Are we just wishing life away? Nothing groundbreaking usually happens on the weekend that ultimately changes the order of the following week. It makes more sense to live life between the lines of Monday and Friday by accepting things the way that they are, but simultaneously making proactive steps forward. It is about not getting completely hung up on the past or the future, but dealing with the present situation in a way that moves you closer to your ideals. Although, I suppose that would take a lot of self discipline.
The Don says
This sentence left me wanting to end my life.
Each phrase by itself seems innocent enough, but when placed next to one another it draws a bigger, darker picture depicting an endless cycle of empty progress.
Marc says
Easy does it big Don! I’ll try to tone it down for you next time around… 😉
Travis says
Really good points there, Marc. Whenever I see myself pushing only to get to the weekend I know I have lost sight of what is really important – living my current life. Things get hard, things get easy, to lay on top of that a constant story about why now sucks and why later will be better is self defeating at best.
Marc says
Well stated, Travis. Quite often the daily grind blinds our perception and leaves us looking forward to some future endeavor, rather than enjoying the current moment.
Darren says
I must admit I’m quite curious how you expect people to enjoy the current moment when the current moment is work, i.e. something you are forced to do, for money, which you wouldn’t do if you really had the choice. And if you don’t do anything at the weekend, then maybe that just means that your ultimate dream is just to live your life without having to do anything. That may sound self-absorbed, but if you don’t like your work, then it makes sense that your ambition should end up as not having to work!
So, I don’t think it’s a sign of people lacking aspirations, but more a sign of people being increasingly railroaded into types of work they find unfulfilling, and ultimately becoming disillusioned.
Anna says
I agree with Darren…