When I was younger, and did not have a house or a family or need to fund my children’s education, or want to travel the world, I used to say that if I was a professional athlete who was awarded a contract for some multiple of $10,000,000, you would be able to measure the length of my career in games played, not years.
I just did not get the need to make that much money.
I have now had a full career and I am happily retired. I made some money and I have a nice house. My children are grown and I am travelling the world.
With the benefit of hindsight, I now realize that if I had been a professional athlete who was awarded a contract for some multiple of $10,000,000, you would have been able to measure the length of my careers in games played, not years.
I still do not get why people need that much money.
Our society does not seem to recognize the concept of “enough,” except when it comes to charity, compassion, or empathy.
In the legal profession, we are surrounded by people who earn way more than the average Canadian, but still strive for more, while so many of us struggle with addiction and mental health issues and high rates of divorce. People working day and night don’t seem to see the connection between stress and misery.
I must confess that I still don’t get it. At the same time, I have to admit that it made somewhat more sense to me when I was practicing law than it does now. I guess that I just got swept up in the culture.
Many of you young lawyers to whom it makes sense now may find, like I did, that it will make less sense when you are older. Unfortunately, many of you will also find out that you cannot buy back time or health.
Now, get on with your day, bill some more hours, but think about what your real needs are.