Riddled with Riddles

Which comes first, the mama alligator or the egg? Unlike the puzzle of the legendary Sphinx, this question remains unresolved to this day. Akin to this riddle is the poser - do you slave for the money or to justify your life? This is a challenging question for those staring at empty gold money clips.

With the price of gas still soaring and the dollar wobbling dangerously, pray tell who is slaving that hard to validate his or her existence? The employed or people working for somebody also employed have to live on the little that goes into their wallets or leather money clips.

Reasons Why You Should Work Hard for the Money

Those who proclaim that money is not everything have lots of it and may not be slaving for it. They are the fortunate ones; but to tell you there is more to life than work when they haven't seen your credit card bills smacks of bigotry. Do not spin]listen to|heed[/spin] them. This is sane advice in these financially unstable times. Yet there is more to work than just receiving a paycheck. Here are the top five practical reasons why you should keep on working:

* The money you earn gives you choices because the money clamped in your money clip is yours to spend. You can decide if you fancy a new scooter or get insurance.
* You learn to perfect the art of making smart choices. Aware that times are uncertain, your decision to get insurance for the rainy days is smart.
* You are your own boss. Not a one can lord it over you because he or she feeds you.
* You perfect your skills. The better you become at something, your chances for better opportunities are assured.
* You beat boredom to death. You have something to work on everyday while the pampered ones are ready to climb the walls because there is nothing challenging to do. They have exhausted all those fun activities money can buy, or they are plain lazy.

Balancing Work and Play

It is not carved in stone that you cannot have fun because you have to work in order to survive. Occupational stress is the curse of the 21st century. More Americans are suffering from stress and according to Jerrod Greenberg in his textbook Stress Management, one in three people endure stress daily and others have to endure it everyday. To keep mentally and physically fit, unwind to beat stress.

But harmonizing the two different poles is tough and more so if you have a family. It is a matter of incorporating play and relaxation in the everyday routine. A best way to loosen up without the cost is listening to your favorite mood music after a long day at work or relishing an afternoon at the park with the family on weekends.

The point is to relax to have a better frame of mind for work - you still have to work hard for the money.