The Work Never ends
This week a friend recommended this podcast featuring Mike Rowe (of Dirty Jobs TV show fame) being interviewed by Ben Sasse and Chris Stirewalt, both Senior Fellows at the public policy think tank, the American Enterprise Institute. Sasse is a former Republican congressman from Nebraska who distinguished himself as one of seven Republicans who saw fit to convict Donald Trump of incitement of insurrection in his second impeachment trial. Late last year, Sasse announced that he has been diagnosed with terminal stage-four pancreatic cancer. He and Stirewalt host the podcast Not Dead Yet, which is Sasse’s defiant nod to his own mortality. In his own words, Sasse has said he needs to "laugh at death because death is terrible, but death doesn't get the final word.” He has also joked that his illness has made it harder for guests to decline invitations to appear on the podcast.
Mike Rowe has long celebrated working class Americans, and this is the core topic discussed in this podcast. One distinction that is discussed early in the conversation is the inherent natures of physical work versus thought work. If one is working on a construction site and it’s time for the work day to end, they put their tools away and go home, leaving a clear separation and opportunity for mental down-time. Whereas with thought work, the emails keep flowing, the laptop computer is always there and essentially, the opportunity and call to work is non-stop.
Of course it is neither healthy nor good to work all the time. And breaks are required to do our best thinking. When I’m not in an all-day EOS session, I often break up my day with mid-day exercise. Stepping away and stimulating my nervous system with physical activity is a great way to re-set and have a focused afternoon work session. One noticeable benefit from my work as an EOS Implementer - everyone in the session room turns off their phones, to minimize distraction and encourage presence. Without fail, these days have a special feel to them, and when I get to the end of a session day, I find that I really didn’t miss anything too terribly important.
So stepping away is possible. I used to listen to a lot more podcasts than I do today. Lately I prefer no audio inputs (music or podcast) when I walk Rosie. It’s good to let the mind wander, and keeps me more in-sync with the dog. Lots of things percolate out of my brain when I give it the chance to do it’s thing.
Done right, taking breaks is the opposite of laziness - they are the key to managing both the quantity and the quality of work for those of us who are not physically laboring for our income.
Sunday Supper
We enjoyed a double sheet pan dinner last night, made up of Tofu and Green Beans w/ Chile Crisp and Roasted Cabbage Wedges w/ Lemon Vinaigrette (both were excellent). These Vegan Tex Mex Egg Rolls look great (and meat-eaters can easily substitute some spiced taco meat into the mix). This Seafood Casserole looks interesting to me, too.
Sunday Music
The Oscar Peterson Quartet, featuring Joe Pass. This Blue Note Vinyl Jazz set is curated to support your Sunday morning cup of coffee. The Norms performing a set at Offbeat Roadhouse. Mandrake Handshake, live on KEXP. Enjoy!
If you know anyone who might like this essay, please share it with them.
Have a great week ahead! You can do anything you set your mind to. Let me know how I can help.
Peace & Love,