I’m not busy

I listened to a voice mail from a guy last Monday who’s out of work. He’s networking and somebody told him he should meet me. His message said, “I hope you can take some time out of your busy schedule to meet with me for half an hour.” As I listened, I wondered if he actually thought I was busy or if that was just one of those perfunctory things we’re programmed to say.

Truth is, I’m not that busy and I’m very grateful that I’m not. I thank God that I can make a living and not be busy. I work without a net; I have neither union, not political party to shield me from bad outcomes. If I do good work, I get hired again. If not, then next month, I’ll be even less busy than I was last month.

I stay busy enough to pay the bills, live comfortably and put away some of what I earn for the day when I’ll be even less busy. I spend the rest of my time, exercising, sharpening the saw, taking naps and quietly contemplating how lucky I am to not be as busy as nearly everyone else seems to be. It’s a good life, and if you’d like to meet for a cup of coffee some morning, call me; I’m never too busy.