Economy, politics, or culture, whatever the reason, United States' citizens are one of the busiest people in the world. The U.S. has a vast technological capacity to provide for the basic needs and wants of all society, but it prevents people from living in a world of abundance due to the economic system. Many really want to create that life of fulfillment and happiness, but money can become the priority when it's scarce, and not everyone can afford to live a fulfilled life.
Rather than feeling satisfied, people look at another long list of chores as they spend less time with their families. Being slaves to their jobs has made Americans so busy that they can’t find time to enjoy the true riches that life brings. They've become too busy to enjoy life, and there's no telling when one will. Don't become a slave to your work.
Work in itself is a beautiful thing. After all, if one wants to have food on his plate, provide for his family, and enjoy the things in life, then one has to work. But when work occupies all areas of your life and enslaves you into a cycle, you start to lose grasp on what it means to be free. When looking at statistics, it can be shocking to see how you and I could so easily be destined to live in a system where we're forced to live in a sort of “wage slavery.” According to statistics, 134 countries have laws set in place to determine the maximum length of the work per week. However, in the U.S., there are none. The U.S. has 85.8 percent of males and 66.5 percent of females working more than 40 to 60 hours per week. It's said that Europeans work to live, but American live to work.
The honest truth is that Americans work more than anyone in the industrialized world. They work more than the English, more than the Germans or Norwegians, and even more than the Japanese. Unfortunately, in America, one is prone to having far less “spending money” than they thought, even if they strive to make the best financial decisions about their expenses, loans, and retirement.
Having some basic understanding of economics can help anyone realize that a salary of $100,000 could barely make enough to cover one’s retirement funds. Depending on the state and location, an average of 40 percent will be taxed from one’s income. After that, paying for expenses, apparel and services, transportation, housing, healthcare, food, and paying off any college loans will make one quickly realize how little they really have. This reality leads most Americans, regardless of the salary, to look for more work hours.
One should be mindful of where their money goes. You may have less than you think. It's extremely important for one to choose a job that brings fulfillment. “Do what you love and love what you do” is my motto in life. If you feel like your job is draining your life, then consider allocating positions or finding a different job entirely, one that you love doing. Above all else, never be busy to the point that it takes time away from your family.
