Sun Daze

I have written before about the natural rhythm of the Canadian Homo Sapiens. It is a strange and sun driven thing that falls somewhere between that of a Bear and a Penguin. You see, like both of those species of animal, the seasons really matter to us Canadians - as we basically have two - life and summer.

Define these however you want: Winter and Summer, Ice and Patio, Indoors and Outdoors, Hockey and Fishing... the thing is there are simply two seasons that are diametrically opposed.

Other countries and states probably have the same experience - at least our Nordic brethren; like Norway, Sweden, Russia, Alaskans... Life is measured between the blue clear sunshine of one season and the gray ice covered beauty of another.

In Canada we have adapted in surprising ways... winter tires, for example, are the norm - we put all seasons on for a few months after the thaw. We work harder and longer until that luscious period between Victoria Day and Labour Day when school work slows down, people always seem to be missing on the weekends, meetings dry up and we essentially spend our days out on the patio  with a BBQ and a beer.

Universities run September to mid April. It is no coincidence. This is the pattern we see life in.

For those of you who think that 70 hours a week is necessary and that sunshine be damned I am going to stay in my office until this report is done! I want you to consider two stories I heard. The first was in a leadership training class at Queen's Business school when the professor said this:

In life you have to think about two tables that you will be sitting around - the dinner table in your house, and the boardroom table in your office. Now... think about the week after you die of a heart attack, Then think about a month later, then think about a year later. At which table will you be missed?

Secondly, consider our more advanced sisters and brothers across the pond (or in fact around the world). Most of European workers get a minimum of 20 and sometimes 30 days off a year. Canadians are guaranteed 10. Americans get nothing guaranteed. 

Get a Full list Here if you are interested.

It is a sickness, this idea that work defines us and that we can only have a meaningful life by making money. The truth is that the enjoyment of life as it is offered is far more important to our mental, physical and emotional health. We need to be getting out there into the sunshine, we need to be getting to the beach, we need to relax!