Angry at folk that think there hard working.

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in the counterfeit culture known the world over as america, one simply cannot expect unconditional positive regard from anything other than one's pet. one's dog or cat is the only creature on earth that will stick with one through thick and thin, riding high or down and out. we let everybody else [humans] off the hook. loyalty and unconditional friendship went out with button shoes. everything has a price [especially "love"] yet life is remarkably cheap here, in an existential sense. what an irony.

I see a lot of people in this thread have the problem of worrying too much about what other people think; trying to make themselves fit into the lifestyles other people expect rather than pursuing happiness on their own terms. Letting go of that need for other peoples approval of your life choices is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself, both personally and professionally. A "professional" career path means nothing if you don't like the work, and there's no shame in a trade or craft if you find the work fulfilling.

I remember not working very much at jobs earlier in life. The motivation just wasn't there. Making websites, installing computers, finding problems and not having any fun at all. Then i got a job that was actually fun and suddenly - motivation was there.

My view is: do what you like the most, or at least aspire to do it and happiness will follow. Life isn't about making the most amount of money at a job that sucks the life out of you, it is about not living a miserable life and doing something you think is worthwhile, we get so few years on this tiny piece of mud in the universe.

Working hard vs Being happy is not necessary the same, but if you do what you love, you tend to work harder and you forget about time.

I'm going to chime in here with my own situation; I don't know if it will spark some thought, but I will try:

Right now I am working as an accountant for a large company. It doesn't pay much, and I am overqualified for the job. However, after being jobless for a year, it's a job that allows me to pay my bills an own a car. I live with my father because rent is too expensive for me with all the medical problems I have.

So on to that part of the story; I have many chronic health conditions which put me through a lot of pain, fatigue, anxiety, malaise, diminished cognitive function, and I am losing my vision. I'm not going further into it because I hate talking about it and don't want anyone's pity.

ANYWAY, many people with similar challenges don't work. Most of them go on disability. They have every right to do that and I don't blame them at all. Why? Because almost every day I am in agony, wishing I didn't have to work anymore, wanting to devote more attention to my personal needs. So why don't I just quit? There are many reasons, and all of them are specific to my personality and circumstance.

The first is simply my own stubbornness. I just refuse to give up and have a very difficult time judging when it's appropriate to give up on something. I could be doing myself a disservice by continuing to work. I honestly don't know. Another is ego. I am generally a humble person except for when it comes to independence. I do not want to give that up. This is because I had an entire life of abuse and no security. Many of my dreams and goals are centered around making myself independent and not relying on anyone else. I'm a Taoist and know that we aren't completely independent ever, but you know what I mean. In a general sense.

Thirdly, it's not like staying at home reduces my symptoms. It's MORE COMFORTABLE, but I still have pain and the rest. Pain meds don't help me at all. So I figure that I can go to work and feel miserable while getting paid for it.

The forth reason is that I need a surgery which costs $20K. It will improve my condition by 50% (doctors say). So, I'd rather suffer now and fight every single day despite the misery, and have good insurance that will pay for the surgery, because I will never have that kind of money without working. That means I will never feel better for the rest of my ENTIRE life. That thought is too much to bear. I'm seeing docs about it right now, and the surgery will be another year out at the least. So I will have to tough it out until then, and then recover from surgery before I can return to work. Because I know the time frame, I am mentally prepared to do it. I am prepared to FIGHT so I can feel 50% better and likely not have issues with working (aside from social factors) after the surgery is over. Since I can do that for myself, why would I NOT work?

I know I am a very strong person. But I try to look at things from a logical perspective and not aim for immediate gratification. Do I think it's fair? Absolutely not. I wouldn't want anyone else to go through this misery. I wish we had national healthcare that would see the logic in paying for my surgery so I can be a productive citizen for the REST of my LIFE, during which I will pay way more than $20K in taxes. However, I have the hand I was dealt and I'm trying to make the best of it.

Many people say I have the heart of a warrior. I guess that's true.

I don't think there is a "one size fits all" solution. Some people simply are NOT able to have a "normal" 9-5 life. It's not possible for them. I wish society valued all types of people and looked at what they can do instead of what they can't. Combine that with a better work ethic, and things would be great. But maybe that's idealism.

I am VERY proud of what I'm doing. Not in a way that is boastful; I rarely ever breathe a word of this to anyone. Even my dad, who I'm living with, doesn't know much of what I'm dealing with; only what I choose to tell him. I don't like shoving my situation in other people's faces. I'm a very private person anyway and don't desire to discuss it with anyone. HOWEVER, I do feel lonely and isolated much of the time. Especially when people complain a lot and make drama. I know that to them, their problems are a legitimate source of stress for them but I simply can't relate. And I can't really vocalize how I'm feeling, because they would think I'm trying to "outdo" them. So if anyone ever asks me how I'm doing, I just say I'm fine or I'm a little tired.

I just wish that more people would try their best, whatever that may be. If you're going to be an artist, salaryman, house-wife/husband, hair stylist, programmer, bread maker, be the best one that YOU can. If you're not able to work (which might happen to me if my plan doesn't work or I go blind before I get surgery) then do something fulfilling.

Our work isn't the sum of who we are. If someone asked me to describe myself, I would NEVER say "accountant". That's not the sum of who I am.

I would be hurt if someone said that I shouldn't be proud of "working so hard".

I would love to take all of my infirmities, quit my job, go on the public dole, and eat painkillers by the handful until I slip into oblivion; but I've met people who have done exactly that, and their personalities died long before their bodies did.

I don't want to end my life that way.

I want to end my life knowing that I've made a difference.

I also don't believe in "luck". Yes, there are some external factors we need to succeed and that are beyond our control, but there is more than one way to get something done. We can be smart about our approach and not give up when something is difficult. Some people have already made up their minds that they won't be successful (whatever that means to them) and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.