Don't wait until your old to enjoy life.

I am a young workaholic but that doesn't mean that I dont take time to enjoy myself. I just want to earn and retire early so I can spend my golden years the way I want it. I guess I have more liberties because I am not married and I don't have any kids. There are many ways to enjoy life and maybe your uncle is just caught up with his job/ trying to make ends meet for his family to survive that is why he doesn't see the big picture. Sometimes the best way to enjoy life starts with enjoying life with family. Maybe he needs to re-examine his priorities or create a balance? Life keeps getting harder, especially with recession but that doesn't mean that we all must be miserable and stressed out people. I dont think the concept of "no play" makes a man dull/stupid/lifeless. First of all, if he works that hard for his family, I would say he is responsible, caring and devoting. I wouldn't say he is dull/stupid or lifeless because his life clearly revolves around his family. Otherwise, why would he bury himself with work. Who wants to get tired and stressed working instead of enjoying day after day with nothing to do but spend time with family? I just think that he probably needs to shift a little more attention to his family and enjoy them more before his kids get older.

Hi ivygrey! I agree with you. It is important for people to be reminded of how beautiful life is. That they should not miss out on the best things that life can offer just because they are very busy. There's nothing wrong in working but it would be beneficial for all of us to have a balance when it comes to work and life.

Saying is always easy but it is not easy to do it especially when you might need a lot of money to enjoy life .

Yeah that proverb is definitely right.We need to keep our lives balanced with both work and family so the family will realize that they have a good dad who takes care of them in every way.But there are times people get less salary or they get married late.Then can have to give work 75 percent and at home 25 percent as they need to support the family in the future.

Hey, Yes that is very true, but I hear my friends time and time again say that they can't wait until they are retired, because then they will 'enjoy' life. That is NOT true, the time to enjoy life is right now, every moment of your life. Make sure you have a good day, God bless and Happy Lotting!!

the saying "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy".there should be balance.too much focus in work will make you feel burned out.too much lax time can make you feel dull.all the roots of your hard work should be shared with loved ones.you should have time for work and have time for fun.

Many, many men do this they feel responsible for their families they work really, really hard to support their family but spent very little actual time with their family. Their way of thinking is that they want their own children to have a better life than they had so they work very hard to give it to them. In the mean time the kids and wife would rather have more of their husband and father. It is hard for the man to understand that the family would rather have him then lots of stuff. Perhaps if his children were to tell him that he would realize it more.

I always felt that our lives were met to be enjoyed. i always do. I encourage others to do the same.

I think a person needs to balance their work life and family life. I've heard this countless of times from even the wealthiest people. Maybe his wife or kids could suggest going somewhere on vacation to get him to relax and away from the job.

Why don't you ask your uncle if you can take his children to Big Brothers so they will have a male in their lives since he doesn't seem to want the responsibility. Remind him that children need a father as well as a mother to guide them. My brother used to date a school teacher. When she would take her children on a field trip, she would ask him to go along. The majority of these children were from one parent homes. They literally clung to him. They so much wanted a man in their lives.

I think this is the right attitude to have. Can you imagine if an accident were to happen tomorrow and you would pass away? Everyone needs to live their life today rather than tomorrow.

I think no need for you to do that my friend. Because your know how to enjoy his life. I think the happiest thing in your uncle life doing what he likes the most. That is his interest and enjoying a lot doing such things my friend. I don't know what enjoyment you like your uncle doing in his life? What is it, my friend?

My father was like this when I was a child and felt as though what he was doing was for the family, but in reality all I really wanted was to be closer to him and share some of my special moments with him! He worked six days a week and on Sunday worked around the house and was often too tired to do anything meaningful with us kids. I have been a father myself for the last 10 years and spending precious time with my kids is something that I have had to make sure I do every day! Luckily now I work from home so I get to spend much more time with my family than my father ever did! Life is too short and I am well aware of the fact that they will have moved out before we know it! Our childrens time living with us is relatively short so it is really important that strong bonds are made that will last a lifetime!

Hi well said but some people slog till the end so that the family can enjoy right so they work hard to see his family's happiness, not seeing his happiness, he might feel satisfied seeing they r happiness,anyway it all depends on each ones life style and they r attitude towards life and work,have a nice day

I think a lot of people are victims of working too hard to make ends meet. Especially if they have debts and obligations to pay. I think I am one of them, but I have just recently stepped backed and assessed my life a bit. I realize that my debts will probably still be there two or three years from now but I would have missed two important years of my kids' life if I continue to prioritize work over my family. A lot of us have to realize that we can never bring back the years when our kids are still growing up and seeking our attention. By the time we are able to achieve our goals, our kids have also grown up and grown apart from us.

I do agree that we should not wait until we are old to enjoy life. However, at times, one can really enjoy life in working. It is a differnt sort of enjoyment. Your uncle, perhaps, is really enjoying his life by providing for his family. Enjoy does not mean put everything aside, go out and play. lol.

agreed most people dont enjoy life untill there retired they should enjoy it while there young since you only have one life so make the best out of it dont spend it working all the time unless if you enjoy working. Take a break once in awhile and have some fun go out see the world.

Yes, I've heard too many tales of people who work themselves into an early grave (not saying your uncle will do this, but he shouldn't push himself so hard). He says he's doing it for his family, and it's lovely of him to do this to earn some extra money for them but I'm sure they would like to spend time with him, maybe they'd value that even more(?), and I'm sure they would prefer it if he was fit and well. If he's already looking wasted and stressed then he should get a health check and definitely think about maybe cutting his hours back and taking up a relaxing hobby, if he doesn't want to stop work altogether. Life's too short to spend all of it working, if you can possibly help it.

I agree with you. My motto is always to live and enjoy life. We should work hard but we should also play hard. We work so that we can enjoy a good life and live the good life. I am not saying we should spend all our income. But at least splurge around 30% of your income as a way of rewarding yourself regularly. As for the 70%, well, we can save it for the future and for the kids. For example, once a year, I always go traveling to a foreign country. It is my reward and form of relaxation. I won't be able to do that already or it would be hard if I go traveling when I am already in my 60s or 70s.

What's the point of working hard for your family when your family never gets to see you?