Work to live or live to work?

December 15, 2011 9:37am CST
I heard a lot of family violence ..even some famous person ,,and high educated people ,,most of the violent are men ,,and they ascribe it to high pressure in working,,i know it's illegal in many country ,,but not in china yet,,why we have to work ? we want to live a better life right ,but what you define hapiness?is it enough to make money ??do we ignore the real meaning of life ,,the real meaning of work ,,should we live to work or work to live,,share your opinion with me
2 people like this
10 responses
• United States
15 Dec 11
Well, it depends on the circumstances. If you are like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, and you can get lucky like they did, then you can live to work, but if you aren't either of those men, then you probably have to work to live. Right now, I am working to live because I don't have any other choice.
16 Dec 11
yeah ,,if your job is just what you like ,,why not live to work ,,you can enjoy your job and earn money at the same time ,,what's more you can take your happiness on job back home ,,i mean nice mood,,but if you don't like your job ,,remember the real goal of work is to live ,,don't be the slave of money and ignore other things like family
1 person likes this
• United States
16 Dec 11
The thing is when you have lost your job, and you have another one, but it doesn't give you the freedom that you would like, then you have to work to live. I am going to school and I have to work to live because until I get that degree, I don't have that many options. I know that when I have my degree, and when I have really built up my resume, then I will have a much easier time choosing the kind of job that I want that allows me the freedom that I want.
• United States
15 Dec 11
We need to work to live for food, clothing or housing. That's just a fact of life, but work doesn't have to be meaningless. What's wrong with working doing something that you like? I love computers. Most of the jobs that I had working in the Information Technology field were some of the most enjoyable times I ever had. I was working doing something I liked with people of like interests. Sometimes I would wonder how I could possibly be getting paid for doing those jobs. There's not much stress when you love your job. Is there? Working doesn't have to keep you from enjoying life.
16 Dec 11
Aright ,,you come up with an very impotant view,,that is the happiness of work ,,it't ture,,why these people feel bad and high pressure of their job ,,if they take it back home that just shows they can't bear it anymore they want to break out..so if they really like their jobs ,,they will enjoy their job ,,and keep nice mood everday ,,so those people who work in the area which they like are very lucky,,but most of us can't be that ,,so we should realize the essential goal of work is enjoy our life so no matter what kind of work you take in ,,don't be to seriously ,,when it hurt yourself or your family that's time for you to think twice about it...and you value of life
• United States
16 Dec 11
I think the first part of finding a job that you love is finding out what you love. Sadly, most people won't take the time to do that. It seems that you are concentrating more on the family abuse side of your question. I have very definite feelings about that. I don't believe the job is the reason for doing that. That is the excuse they are giving themselves to allow themselves to do that. On some level they must think it is an acceptable way for them to vent their anger and frustration. I've never understood that at all. I think those people should do the mental work necessary to find other ways to vent their anger and frustration.
@wongchoiyee (7413)
• Malaysia
15 Dec 11
Live to work is best suited for me. I don't like pressure in working to live. Too much pressure will condemn me. We should enjoy life even with small money, isn't it so?
16 Dec 11
In fact ,,you still work to live ,,but it's ok ,,,i mean the live to work in my opinon is people who are workaholics
@agent807 (751)
• United States
15 Dec 11
Live to work is a terrible mentality to have. Even if you are doing something that you love to do, after a while, it could become stressful and hectic, though it is not as bad as doing a job that you dread going to everyday. It is for that very reason that I work to live, mostly because I need the money to support my many habits. Things like having a roof over my head, utilities, clothes, food (especially food!), entertainment, and the hobbies that I have to support. Working all of your life and getting nothing out of it is a terrible feeling. I am 31 and I have work since I was 17, and I still don't have anything to show for it. Constant job changes, unemployment, jobs that pay nothing. I couldn't even save money because the wages were so low that even after making cutbacks to my life, I couldn't afford anything. I have been following everyone's idea of constantly working. What what is the point of constantly working if you can't enjoy life?
16 Dec 11
yeah ,,that sounds bad ,,but most of us confront the same situation..what i want to say is life and health is the most important things ,,if we are still hold both of them ,,we are lunky enough ,,so we should find ways to enjoy our life ,,i believe there are thousands of people live harder than us ,,but they may happier than us that is where we should learn ,,i bet rich man can't be happy all the time ,,poors impossible have nothing to makes them happy ,,the key is your attitude of life
• Philippines
15 Dec 11
Those that live to work may be seen as workaholics or overachievers. They work long hours and may not take much time for themselves or their families or friends. They regularly sacrifice evenings and weekends to work, and they probably even thrive on this. Those that work to live typically don’t work the same long hours of the live to work folks. They put a priority on life outside of work and make an effort to carve time out of their working lives to unwind and be with the people they care about.
16 Dec 11
yeah ,,if what they busy in is just what they like it's ok ,,cuase they can enjoy from it ,,,,however if not they will be very painful and they take these bad feelings to their families
@katie0 (5203)
• Japan
16 Dec 11
We have to be careful with our mental and physicall health and remind that work is a meaning but not the way of living. Moderation is at order
16 Dec 11
right ,,,hope you will be happy in your own career ,,
@cmang83 (285)
• Malaysia
16 Dec 11
I think most of people nowadays work to live la. With the high inflation, i don't think we can survive without a work. Even we have work, the income sometimes is not enough to cover our expenses, do you agree?
@davaome (1826)
• Philippines
16 Dec 11
A very interesting topic, i would chose "A" work to live. because from my own understanding "live to work" for me, means I dedicate my life to just work,work, and work some more. and that kind of life is not an ideal life for any person. and on how i understand "work to live" is that I work just to survive, so by working hard I can live my life the way I want it, which is more self satisfying. happy mylotting to you
• Philippines
16 Dec 11
We must to work so we can live . Even the richest people in the world they work hard to maintain their wealth. As a commoner, I need to work hard so I can support my family to buy their foods,pay our bills and give their needs because this is the reality of life.
@Viniox (7)
• United States
15 Dec 11
I once heard an elderly mans statement that really changed my outlook on the way I view life. He said that when he was young he all he wanted was to get older to graduate school so he could go to college. When he was in college all he wanted to do was get through college so he could graduate and earn more money with his degree. When he was in his career all he wanted to do was work to get promoted so he could earn more money and retire. Once he retired and was an elderly man he looked back on his life and realized... the one thing he forgot to do was live. Live in each day without the rush for tomorrow and be thankful for everyday small things that you always look over and take for granted... Live.
16 Dec 11
Exactly,,,that is what i want everybody knows..when you rush for tomorrow,,you neglect today ,,your wife ,,,your kids ,,your friends ,,and yourself ..you lose temper to them ,,you lead family violence ,,you pretend that you are pursuit your dream but if your dream base in wrong value of life ,,how can you live comfortable no matter how much money you earned,,you are still a failure,,cuase you don't know the true meanig of work to live