Love and Work Are Essential To Humankind

Sigmund Freud is famous for many insights into the human condition, but one of my favorites is this simple idea: "Love and work are the cornerstones of our humanness." It seems wherever I look this basic truth underlies so much of the happiness and unhappiness that I see around me. The happy, content people I know have managed to find a balance of the two while the unhappy people I know are lacking one of the two essential ingredients. However, while I agree that finding a balance of the two essentials is key to a happy life, I also think it is important to make sure there is a healthy balance between the two. Too often, our work gets the best part of us. We devote our most energetic hours to work and return home to our loved ones tired and worn from the day. Often the morning rush to get to work is fraught with snapped demands to our loved ones that they not make us late for work. While this is pretty typical of life, we should make an effort, and not just on Valentine's Day, to show our loved ones that they are a priority. How often do you tell your significant other of your love? How often do you tell your parents and siblings? How often do you tell your children? More than simply telling though we have to make an effort to show them. Love is not simply about the words but also the motions that go with it. It is easy to buy a card or flowers or dinner, but what about turning off the television and turning on the answering machine and really focusing on our loved ones for a couple hours. Spend time together doing something fun. It doesn't have be expensive or even very energetic, but doing something together without any outside influences or demands can deepend your bonds of love and remind you that you not only love these people -- but you like them too. Remember, it is easier to find another job than it is to replace a loved one. We know in our hearts where our priorities lie. Make sure that your loved ones know as well.