Exasperation or Zen, why do I keep working? The easy answer is because that is what I do. But really, why do any of us work? Simply we say we work because someone else is not paying our bills. Realistically it is a societal thing, we work for rewards so everyone can have a better life.

I was told that back in the Roman days it was bad form to become old. To be old was to be a liability to society. It was better to die doing what you love at the top of your form. An older civilization, the Egyptian lasted thousands of years. There people specialized in their avocation for generations. I imagine that was the evolution of a Caste type of civilization. Masonic lore identifies with that type of system, and it makes a bit of sense. Different people are better at different things, and you are rewarded for the more you know about your craft. We do the same thing today, theoretically you get an education and a diploma you will make more money. Plus these days we have the ability to try different professions, better than when we may have been simply born into a profession. Evolution is good.

So these days we work and save for retirement. I have worked and saved, and now am of retirement age. My body is tired and not as limber as it once was. I qualify for social security and have a pension. I also have a typical 401k. So I am better off than some, and not as well as others. So what, I am good.

So why am I still working? The short answer is insurance. They have really good insurance where I work. If I get sick they will take good care of me. Pluse they will take care of my wife. She is not quite old enough for Medicare. Even with Medicare, there are costs. She does not want money to be tight, and I don’t really blame her.

Everything is a balance, when is enough, enough? There There are too many stories of people not getting to enjoy their retirement, then there are the ones that retire to early, I feel a bit sad when I see elderly people working. How did that happen? Must have been some poor decisions, or simply bad luck beyond their control. I had a number of dear best friends, that never came close to retirement. They are gone, though I still think of them. My father was retired for 16 years, so that is sort of a goal, but I might live longer,or less.

Then again there are people that so enjoy their work that they never retire. In 1917 Henry Leyland founded the Lincoln Motor Company at the age of 73. Of course he had already founded Cadillac Motor Company 15 years earlier. Like Henry I enjoy my Cadillac and Lincoln, though I have to do that on my own time. Bit of the reason why I work. So we can have nice things.

Still, I want to spend more time out in the shop tinkering with my toys, whilst I am still able.