I will post this very briefly, because I am in fact in a rush and have very little time to be spending on homework (although I must say this will likely be my most interesting piece of homework for this weekend). Oddly enough, the recent surplus of places to be and shortage of time in my life is the very topic I choose to comment on. As I find myself progressing further and further into senior year, the actuality of my time management has become the exact opposite of my expectations for it. I fully predicted the responsibilities to slow after junior year, or at least show signs of letting up by November of senior year. Clearly this is not the case, as in this weekend alone I have traveled upwards of 150 miles to numerous locations, and face another 400 next weekend.
Considering my journeys from Lafayette College to R.S. Phillips Steel in Vernon, and between Green Township and Sparta, New Jersey more times than I can possibly count, I do not believe I have ever been more short of time than I am currently. I am also sure that nearly every other person in the world experiences the same feelings, and likely is even more burdened than myself. It is interesting, therefore, to assess how both the individual and the society view such lifestyles. Why choose to do this? Scientific studies have shown us that too much work and stress can lead to severe health disorders, both mentally and physically. Still, society places large amounts of emphasis on one’s level of occupation. Perhaps it is the perception of strength and endurance. Perhaps whoever can sustain the most stress proves his or herself best able to weather the harsh causticity of succeeding in a modern world.
Even so, what of the many people who hold no concern for the approval of those around them? In this a certain inherent drive to succeed can be seen at the very core of human nature. A similar phenomenon can be seen in the training of an athlete, a performer, or an artist. Perhaps we choose to endure as much as possible, and then some, not necessarily in the name of success but out of necessity for purpose. Certainly a goal oriented mindset would provide a sense of meaning to the life of one who searched for more than contentment, which I believe to be the majority of people. And so it seems it is this very stress and pressure that gives both meaning and variation to our lives.