Solid piece Ken. John and were talking all about this this morning. It's so sad :( "For the love of it" is the Way. For the purpose we were meant to do. Your love of trains, "the game" (baseball), the old ways. It just felt right. We also didn't hear, so instantly, what was happening behind the scenes. We'd have to dig for that if interested. Or an article would come out here and there in the newspaper or magazine. What was once a job is now nothing but a game of fame. "Instant" news, social media, have driven humans to false teachings and idolatry too.
But what if we did everything for the love of it? for the passion. It's never perfect, because you could be a big star before you know it and then caught in the trap. We are very much attracted to wholesomeness too. The cool kid from the small town who made the big leagues. Now modeling for the backers of the game. I look at American Idol this season and see the most awesome, wholesome singers. Worship pastors, down-home little mama and Lord I pray they can tow the line. It's a lot what has happened as a result of social media. It's made the power hungry owners of sports and entertainment, and their promoters, backers, etc., stronger and more powerful. The players/singers, are their puppets. Lainey Wilson is working like a dog for them and you can feel (Netflix documentary) this has been her passion since childhood -- but it's a lot. I mean at the end of the day, what's it worth? how much money or attention does one need? or how much do you compromise? your values, your time with family, etc. It's up to us in the end. You walked away from an industry you loved because it compromised everything you valued. Thank you for mentioning me friend. ox
That’s what we’re here for! To inspire each other! To bad the algo has us separated most of the time. Insert rolley eyeballs. Have a great afternoon friend. ox
You've posed a good question at the end of your post, Ken. It does seem like everything in life is all about the money. There is a limit though. I don't know what the cutoff is from money we need for living vs. excessive money only used to fatten the bank account. (To be honest, it would be nice to have a little bit of padding for once). Of course, I wouldn't know how to act if I ever had any though! I enjoyed your post, Ken. I hope you're enjoying your weekend. 😊😁❤️💕
Ken, I worked at jobs I really enjoyed up until I retired at 75. Not because I needed to, because I really liked what I was doing. I too stopped watching professional sports as a result of the continuous search for more cash. These guys are getting paid more than the President to play a game. Do they have to be good? Yes. Is there life after sports? To many of them, no. They expect to live a long and good life on what they made as an athlete. Not my style, so I stopped watching. Now that I'm retired, I do what makes me happy - working in my shop, writing my substack. In neither case is money the reason I do what I do. It's the satisfaction of doing what I like and that's all.
I think people invent stories about the life they live and why they do what they do. Multi-millionaire athletes aside, most of us have lives we've created ourselves. We're all in love with what we do or at least we're trying to find it.
I used to go to the movies a lot more as well. One of my favorite past times. But I agree, these days there’s hardly ever a film I want to see in the theater. In fact, most of the theaters around here have some kind of “vintage” movie night where they show older films just to keep people coming.
Albeit some of that is due to the cost and the convenience of streaming, but the films that have been released of late have not exactly been spectacular. With very few exceptions.
I wish they would return to just telling a good story and not focus so much on making a statement. Tell a good story and it will speak for itself.
And I agree about doing something purely for the joy. Everyone needs something like that to drive away the madness of the day. Whether it’s writing, painting, playing music, whatever it may be.
It’s the saddest state of affairs, this money grab. We all need to make money to eat but, like hubby always says, “how much is enough?” This is why my hobbies are just the luv. 🤷♀️🫠
Such a great post, my friend. So dang true. I try (and I know you do) to just follow the love of the things I do. Block out the noise. Seems to be a rarity or will get the sideways look. Oh well. Let’s keep on keeping on. :)
Solid piece Ken. John and were talking all about this this morning. It's so sad :( "For the love of it" is the Way. For the purpose we were meant to do. Your love of trains, "the game" (baseball), the old ways. It just felt right. We also didn't hear, so instantly, what was happening behind the scenes. We'd have to dig for that if interested. Or an article would come out here and there in the newspaper or magazine. What was once a job is now nothing but a game of fame. "Instant" news, social media, have driven humans to false teachings and idolatry too.
But what if we did everything for the love of it? for the passion. It's never perfect, because you could be a big star before you know it and then caught in the trap. We are very much attracted to wholesomeness too. The cool kid from the small town who made the big leagues. Now modeling for the backers of the game. I look at American Idol this season and see the most awesome, wholesome singers. Worship pastors, down-home little mama and Lord I pray they can tow the line. It's a lot what has happened as a result of social media. It's made the power hungry owners of sports and entertainment, and their promoters, backers, etc., stronger and more powerful. The players/singers, are their puppets. Lainey Wilson is working like a dog for them and you can feel (Netflix documentary) this has been her passion since childhood -- but it's a lot. I mean at the end of the day, what's it worth? how much money or attention does one need? or how much do you compromise? your values, your time with family, etc. It's up to us in the end. You walked away from an industry you loved because it compromised everything you valued. Thank you for mentioning me friend. ox
Thank you and you’re welcome. You got me going with your story and it kind of wrote itself.
That’s what we’re here for! To inspire each other! To bad the algo has us separated most of the time. Insert rolley eyeballs. Have a great afternoon friend. ox
You do the same…😊
Great write up, and not getting better by paying college athletes. I hear its a business but i always thought it was a game.
Thanks !
You've posed a good question at the end of your post, Ken. It does seem like everything in life is all about the money. There is a limit though. I don't know what the cutoff is from money we need for living vs. excessive money only used to fatten the bank account. (To be honest, it would be nice to have a little bit of padding for once). Of course, I wouldn't know how to act if I ever had any though! I enjoyed your post, Ken. I hope you're enjoying your weekend. 😊😁❤️💕
Ken, I worked at jobs I really enjoyed up until I retired at 75. Not because I needed to, because I really liked what I was doing. I too stopped watching professional sports as a result of the continuous search for more cash. These guys are getting paid more than the President to play a game. Do they have to be good? Yes. Is there life after sports? To many of them, no. They expect to live a long and good life on what they made as an athlete. Not my style, so I stopped watching. Now that I'm retired, I do what makes me happy - working in my shop, writing my substack. In neither case is money the reason I do what I do. It's the satisfaction of doing what I like and that's all.
Probably both, necessity pushes, desire pulls. Necessity often starts things, but desire is what keeps them going. Nice post, man.
Thanks !
I still miss the early 80s Philadelphia Phillies (they are still awesome). Only at 10 I knew all of the players name.
We saw them in spring training in Florida when I was a kid. It was free to get in and you would walk in and sit on the bleachers.
Now it's huge $$ event. Tickets are pricey and the hotels book up ahead of time.
My husband’s great grandfather (or great - great) played professionally baseball ball. It was a job and paid the bills
I think people invent stories about the life they live and why they do what they do. Multi-millionaire athletes aside, most of us have lives we've created ourselves. We're all in love with what we do or at least we're trying to find it.
You’re absolutely correct. Trying to find it. That more than anything else…always.
I used to go to the movies a lot more as well. One of my favorite past times. But I agree, these days there’s hardly ever a film I want to see in the theater. In fact, most of the theaters around here have some kind of “vintage” movie night where they show older films just to keep people coming.
Albeit some of that is due to the cost and the convenience of streaming, but the films that have been released of late have not exactly been spectacular. With very few exceptions.
I wish they would return to just telling a good story and not focus so much on making a statement. Tell a good story and it will speak for itself.
And I agree about doing something purely for the joy. Everyone needs something like that to drive away the madness of the day. Whether it’s writing, painting, playing music, whatever it may be.
It’s the saddest state of affairs, this money grab. We all need to make money to eat but, like hubby always says, “how much is enough?” This is why my hobbies are just the luv. 🤷♀️🫠
Such a great post, my friend. So dang true. I try (and I know you do) to just follow the love of the things I do. Block out the noise. Seems to be a rarity or will get the sideways look. Oh well. Let’s keep on keeping on. :)
You got it. Have a good weekend.