(Written in 2014) I never set out to write a blog.
I told myself, that’s the last thing the world needs, another guy with an opinion.
This month marks my third anniversary of this accidental creation, Work Life Play Blog/Podcast.
I am passionate about living a sustainable work-life rhythm that includes play woven continuously. I want to master the Art of Living, not merely default to balancing my career with my family. I’m convinced that integration must be our aim-not balance.
I’ve learned that my voice is best inserted @ the intersections and crossroads of all three Work Life Play. I hope that I’ve helped you blur the lines of distinction between where one starts and where the other ends.
Why this Trifecta?
This is unrehearsed, but here it goes.
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking through how best to explain this trifecta. My life experiment is to become more integrated, less fragmented and compartmentalized. Those I admire the most live freely and lightly with little distinction in their work, life and play.
“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he’s always doing both.”
-James Michener
Blurring the Lines
I want to live a lifestyle where the daily lines between Work Life Play are impossible to draw. I want the rhythms of my life to ebb and flow within this trifecta every day. In my old life, I used to think
I work from 9 am to 5:30 pm.
I play on Saturday mornings or only on vacations.
I spend time with my family and friends on the weekends.
I’m in the process of undoing these old lines of demarcation. I’ve learned that a more gratifying-joy-filled sustainable lifestyle is achieved by blurring the lines every single day. I am becoming an artist of a Work Life Play lifestyle.
Work
I love to work. I’m invigorated by the opportunity to create and innovate. I’m learning to discover work I love while embracing the complexity, uncertainty, and growth as a playground for my development.
Through the vehicle of work, we can create good in the world, in people’s lives as we become more wholehearted.
Life
I believe living a meaningful life requires that we invest heavily in those entrusted to our care. Ancient Wisdom reminds us to “Love others, as you love yourself” and “learn to marshall and direct your energies wisely.” To keep going requires that we prioritize the health of our relationships, our physical and spiritual lives.
Relationships: A meaningful life worth living is rich with relationships. We offer to others what we offer to ourselves. Kindness, patience, forgiveness, trust require being deeply rooted.
I want to steward my relationships so that others thrive under my care.
Personal health and wellness doesn’t happen on accident. It takes a constant purposeful attention. I want to live a long, healthy, active life without becoming obsessive about it.
I want to feel good at age 80 so I’m doing something about it at age 42.
Spiritual life: God’s life is real, and as inescapable as are human relationships. I love God, and I love people. My invitation here is encourage conscious contact with the one who can help.
Transformation, restoration and freedom are available .
Play
Most men I know abandoned play a long time ago. They grow up, get jobs, become responsible, grow a potbelly, and settle for Fantasy Football leagues and Xbox games as their only adventures.
The world is too big, too wild and too mysterious to stay indoors.
I run, bike, swim, climb, fish, surf (novice), and I’m working on learning to ride a longboard (skateboard). More importantly, I’ve learned to play amidst life’s difficulties, small margins of time, and life’s obligations. I want you to play a lot more.
Get muddy, try something new, play with your kids, find an adventure, and stop always staying at the Westin and get in a tent instead.
I’ve needed to put words to this trifecta combo if only to help me make sense of it. Thank you for being apart of this emerging tale these past three years. I hope it made a difference for you.
Keep going friend-
Aaron
