PITTSBURGH (Newsradio KDKA) - Those who listen to the KDKA Radio Morning Show with Larry RIchert on a regular basis may have heard me occasionally say things like: ‘You only get one lap’ or ‘one bite at the apple.’ These are actually the words of my good friend, Ed Norris, in Baltimore. A man who knows a thing or two about living. And, as a former NYPD detective, Chief of the Baltimore Police Department, and Commander of the Maryland State Police, he is a man who has known and seen the depths of evil, as well as, the fragility and brevity of life. I do not need to go into detail as it is all in his book: Way Down in the Hole: The Meteoric Rise, Tragic Fall and Ultimate Redemption of America's Most Promising Cop.
Eddie actually showed me that, regardless of your lot in life or the demands of your soul-crushing job, it is acceptable and encouraged to enjoy some of the finer things or treat yourself from time-to-time. And, for a time, I listened….until I didn’t.
I moved to New York City and had a great job with a network. They treated me very well. I enjoyed my life in the Big Apple however my old ways of ‘all work no play makes Danny a very dull boy’ crept back in to daily life from the shadows to which the friendship and experiences of Charm City had banished them.
Now I am back where it all began. Back home in Pittsburgh. The place and the people who taught me the pride of an honest day’s work. I love it here. I love the people. Yes, the beach is nice and it is calling but this is the region where ‘my’ people settled. This is the place where I learned honesty and effort. It is true that, sometimes, we use the wrong words or ask the wrong questions but what outsiders do not understand until they are immersed amongst us is that those situations are not of ill intent or malicious in the least. They are of genuine curiosity or kindness from the heart. Unfortunately, getting back to that work thing, what my education in effort failed to teach me is how to value my time.
‘Eight and Skate’ was never instilled in me. I will work all day nonstop until I collapse. It is a family tradition. An inheritance. Therein lies the problem. If one is not careful they will work themselves to death regardless of how long it has been since the allotted and agreed 40 hours passed or the fare meter stopped. So much for that one lap.
Earlier in my career on a late evening at the office the cleaning lady stopped by. She paused at the doorway then turned and said, ‘Excuse me? Do you mind if I say something?’ I said, ‘Absolutely not.’ After all, we spoke every night as she made her rounds with her husband. She said, ‘This office and those papers will be here tomorrow. And, when you are gone they will fill that seat with someone else.’ She was absolutely correct. Did I listen?
Attributed to many, the quote ‘If you want something done then ask a busy person to do it…’ comes to mind. One of the earliest publications of a variation of that was in 1856. Basically, the busy person will be asked to do more because they complete more tasks. The problem is that they cannot say ‘no.’ They are goal or mission focused and able to multi-task. These types of people like the work and the accomplishment even if they never get to enjoy the fruits of labor or the leisure they have earned.
Quality of life is something that many are trying to find or simply rediscovering as the dynamics of office life have shifted a bit. For the first time to my knowledge many workers have the upper hand over employers in seeking demands. Bosses must woo the productive, effective, positive worker. The job market is wide open in many fields of employment. But, is the busy worker able to put aside dedication in order to take advantage?
I have the honor of working daily with one of the busiest people in the city: Larry Richert. He brought me home. Like me, he enjoys his craft. He is excellent at it. He seemingly fills most waking moments perfecting it. I have also had the honor through my ‘one-on-one’ podcasts of interviewing Western Pennsylvania’s ‘movers & shakers’. These are some of our region’s highly accomplished workers and influential leaders. If you notice, I ask each of them about the precious ‘work/life balance.’ The concept mystifies me.
Did Al Czervik end up with a $60 million funeral? Remember the Rodney Dangerfield character bragging about his wealth while lamenting the scolding he got from his doctor about ‘busting his hump 16-20 hours a day’ in the movie Caddyshack? Most of us won’t get the $60 million but all of us will get the funeral. A lot of us get the scolding from our doctor, as well. So, how do we balance what is left on the scale of life?
My recent ‘One-On-One’ with Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of the Tree of Life Congregation was very impactful in many ways. We spoke of joys, life, death, the ‘H’ word, forgiveness, rebirth, and……balance, recharging, taking a moment. Yes, the elusive ‘work/life balance’ that many employers and governments loathe. After all, they will accept your labor until you are discarded or deceased and they will confiscate your wage and accomplishment until you are broke. Maybe they fear we will learn something in our downtime. Maybe they fear that we will stray or find truth in a new path. Maybe they fear their laxness will be exposed in the productive worker’s absence.
As stated in Proverbs 16:27-29, ‘Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece. An evil man sows strife; gossip separates best friends. Wickedness loves company - and leads others into sin.’
“If they really need you they will find you,” proclaimed Rabbi Myers as I inquired of the benefits of ‘Shabbat’ - the weekly Jewish holiday intended as an imitation of God’s act of resting on the 7th day. Shabbat means to rest. It is a time to cease work and reconnect with family. To feast and focus on replenishing and on living. It is a time to have an uninterrupted meal and a beautiful conversation with those you love. Turn the TV off, put the phone aside, and logoff from the grind, mantra, and conforming demands of busyness induced by the secular masters, plotters, and planners.
Several other leaders, including Dr. Jeremy Goodman, the new CEO of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, echoed the sentiments and philosophy of mandatory down time regardless of the consequences. And, guess what? They all seemed to do pretty well. A day or weekend of rest has not inhibited their professional growth in the least. Saying ‘no’ to yet another demand did not affect their climb up a corporate ladder. So, let’s take the advice following an honest day’s or week’s effort.
It is time to enjoy the fruits of labor. Please take time to enjoy the holiday season with those you cherish or honor warm memories of those who you cannot be around. The ride of life is quick. Yesterday is gone. Make the most of the lap that remains regardless of the aches and pains you may experience physically or mentally. Put any emotional baggage into a box only to open and assess when necessary or never at all. Plan a 3-day weekend instead of finding reasons to continue working beyond any obligations. Extra effort is noble and appreciated but do not give your earned vacation and off days back to the boss again in 2022. Remember that someone else will eventually fill your seat. I offer this advice publicly to all however it is selfishly aimed at the one typing these words.
Do not keep dreaming of life on the outside. You are not an ‘institutional man’ like the lovable Brooks Hatlen was - although you may have to crawl through 500 yards of awful smelling foulness. As Andy Dufrane said to Red in the movie Shawshank Redemption: “I guess it comes down to a simple choice, really. Get busy living or get busy dying.”
Season’s Greetings. Merry Christmas. May your journey, regardless of length, in the New Year be uplifting, rewarding, and fulfilling.
Kevin Battle wrote this on his day off. He is co-host of the KDKA Radio Morning Show with Larry Richert. It airs M-F 5a-9a on Pittsburgh’s 100.1FM & AM1020 KDKA or on the free Audacy app. Ask your smartspeaker to: ‘Play KDKA.’ Thank you.
