A movie quote came to mind immediately, so I suppose that an appreciation for the arts, hobbies, pastimes, etc. creates personal meaning in our lives. Of course, the constant quest to love and be loved in return and to better understand the world in which we live. "As Harold took a bite of Bavarian sugar cookie, he finally felt as if everything was going to be ok. Sometimes, when we lose ourselves in fear and despair, in routine and constancy, in hopelessness and tragedy, we can thank God for Bavarian sugar cookies. And, fortunately, when there aren't any cookies, we can still find reassurance in a familiar hand on our skin, or a kind and loving gesture, or subtle encouragement, or a loving embrace, or an offer of comfort, not to mention hospital gurneys and nose plugs, an uneaten Danish, soft-spoken secrets, and Fender Stratocasters, and maybe the occasional piece of fiction. And we must remember that all these things, the nuances, the anomalies, the subtleties, which we assume only accessorize our days, are effective for a much larger and nobler cause. They are here to save our lives. I know the idea seems strange, but I also know that it just so happens to be true." - Stranger than Fiction Today my bavarian sugar cookies, so to speak, have been my dogs beautiful music a brand new appetizer I created the love of my closest friends great conversation The only way to get through the tedious and the rough spots -- gratitude for the small things (sometimes the big things) that save our lives. :)

I don't really understand the question, but it seems you forgot about the nice compensation that comes with the work, and all the stuff one could do with that compensation. Besides, I like my work, and like doing my part to contribute to society. Generous compensation and the satisfaction that comes with knowing you contribute is all the return I expect.

I think of ideas all the time, but just about the time I figure out how to do something with them, somebody else has thought of the same thing. :-B (That’s why I’m back in college.) ;-)

I have a different lifestyle, I work maybe 3 days for 3-4 hours if that for three weeks and on the 4th week I work 3 12 hour days and maybe one 6 hour day that week. Although this week I did land another contract which would add 2-3 days of 8 hours each for one of the weeks....I know it sounds confusing...I drive all the while stopping here...stopping there to take pictures of homes...all the while I am on the road I think continuously about anything and everything....I wish I could hook up a computer to my brain to take down all of my thoughts....it would make a couple really good books...many comedy.....

I have kids so my life is never a drag:):) It is always interesting! I go to college during the day and I always learn something new..that's fun:) and then I go to work and something interesting always happens! and then I come home crack open a beer get the mp3 player and log onto the AB..my life is never a drag:):):) I even love the craziness:)

Never had that drag of a life. Worked in a hospital on swing shift, never the same thing day after day, always different and exciting. Quit when I had children and again never the same thing twice. Took care of my ill mom for 9 years, again never a drag. I yearned for a boring job instead of everything being my resposibility. Never happened. Find a job that you love so much you will do it for nothing and then do it so well that someone will pay you for it.

OH MY GOD! I thought it is only me who thinks about it... I really tried to come up with new idea but they are not safe and secure ... So here I am, still in my job...

Oh, don't forget about the TV time. 3-6 hours per day on average in the U.S. Or the running kids to sports from 5:30 to 9:30 5 days and all weekend. What a bunch of brain dead boring group we are today. We used to bowl on leagues, have social gatherings in the park. Wave hello to strangers instead of flipping them off for a driving mistakes. We used attend clubs, Do things at the church, stop for 1 or 2 social drinks after work. At the age of 49 I got bored and went back for another degree just to entertain myself and be around people who were not brain washed by the boob-tube or sports. Life is really short. One should live it with all the gusto they can muster. If you work 8 hours and sleep 8 hours, you have 8 hours of life left aside from prep time and trans. time. Well 6 hours left and 32 free hours on the weekend. You will have plenty of time to relax and get a sore arss in your last ten years.