Virtually all living creatures that we are aware of need air, water, food, and a safe place to sleep. These are the essentials that are required to sustain life as we know it. A restaurant needs eaters to thrive, car manufacturers need drivers, pharmaceuticals need sick people, houses need lumber for construction, and the list goes on and on. Apparently, the national economy needs to grow to survive and the media needs scandals to get good ratings as well.
These are all practical needs but what about our spirit, mental health, and our souls? Without activities, relationships, and projects the human spirit can easily decline and so goes our health. In our lifetimes, Americans and other countries now seem to enjoy a large amount of leisure time. Statistics say that before WW2, the average housewife would spend over ten hours per day shopping, cooking, and cleaning. Now with the development of fast foods and microwave ovens, that number is down to a paltry 45 minutes per day or so depending on your gender and ethnic group. Most people want to have fun and hence the need for TV, movies, sports, travel, and hobbies in general.
I feel very fortunate to have a job that I love however it is more than just a fun career. My work truly sustains me. Many people are what we call foodies and my wife is from a family of great eaters for sure. Her dad the late John Yamamoto was a famous consumer of gourmet foods and beverages. Jean and I love to take the time to prepare top quality dinners and always cook together if possible. Besides being cost effective it is very healthy too, ‘as long as we grow old gracefully’ (as the old sweing goes). In order to sustain a positive and fulfilling life, we all require these types of endeavors. It should be noted that we are truly fortunate to be able to pursue the important things in our short time here on our beautiful blue ball, our home the earth.
