Work Happiness

Want to drift away,
across the ocean,
one sunny day,
in rocking motion,
like butterfly play,
from all this commotion?

I'd like to flee these walls,
that drive me mad,
and answer no calls,
for peace I’d be glad,
but my spirit falls,
and I remain sad.

I’d change my life,
at the drop of a hat,
and be rid of strife,
with feelings flat,
cut ties with a knife,
leave this cave like a bat.

I sit here and ponder,
wait idle and stare,
of a life over yonder,
with nothing to care,
it's left me to wander,
will you follow me there?

A recent psychological study, which was published in the US journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has concluded that happiness in fact comes from life choices rather than genetic or childhood influences. It also points out that a higher personal wealth does not affect happiness where as you are more likely to be unhappy by pursuing personal gain through materialistic items.^1

This poem is about daydreaming of a being in a better situation than being at work. It could be about dreaming of a better job or just getting away from work. I intended the poem to be about dreaming of escaping the confines of a long term office to find another career.

Day to day work life can get you down, especially if you have been doing one particular job for a long time. You might have liked your job years ago but now you are over it. To get your feelings of happiness back it might be time for another holiday (for short term happiness) or more importantly a career change (for long term happiness).

If you have ever heard the expression, “Find a job that you like and you’ll never work a day in your life.”? This expression means that if you work in an industry or field of practice that you like, for example your job might be related to your favorite hobby then although you are working daily it won’t feel like it because you will be enjoying yourself. This expression is not always true because if you are working in an industry that you enjoy, like dog washing or horse agistment, then you can also feel unhappy in your job when your work hours become too much or your work conditions are poor.

So work happiness comes down to a combination of a few things. Find a job that is related to your favorite hobby or pastime, ensure you negotiate good working conditions or strive to change the current working conditions and finally ensure you work in moderation. Wouldn’t it be great if we could all lead lives like this? Let’s dream while you follow me on the path to happiness and on to an enjoyable working life!

^1. “Happiness about life choices, not upbringing” From: news.com.au October 05, 2010 7:39AM