America enjoys this wonderful period from Halloween through Thanksgiving to the New Year, where there is more optimism in the air, more energy in the workplace, and a legitimate feeling of community:
- Fun is pervasive - lots going on - all centered on celebrating life, friends and family
- There are more days off per week during the last two months of the year than any other time
- Even the media gets into it, celebrating stories of goodwill and the golden rule (do unto others...)
I don't know about you, but when I'm happier, more rested and more connected to the people around me, I am more productive, more engaged, and just plain get more done. I wonder if this is true across the board? I presume there is a seasonality to America's GDP - is it higher in the last quarter of the year? If it is, there is a business case for the power of restorative thinking.
We have winter break, spring break, summer holidays and Christmas/New Year's holidays for students - why not do the same for adults? (OK - maybe not give everyone the whole summer off ;-).) If in the end the nation achieves more and is happier, I'm all for it! Who knows - it might even lead to less anger and violence in this little corner of the world.
Related to this, and paraphrasing a quote my great friend Larry shared with me a couple of days ago:
Those who can, do
Those who can't, legislate
Those who can't legislate, legislate war
Those who can't legislate war, legislate healthcare
Should Congress take more breaks? I think they should only be allowed to work one week/month and be required to have full-time jobs for the other three weeks (like the National Guard Reserves). This would viscerally improve their grasp of the realities their constituents face every day, and require them to be much more focused and succinct when at the Capitol. I think it would lead to fewer, better, simpler bills, and who knows - maybe even a more effective Congress?
Enough of this - I'm taking a nap...
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