I've noticed a trend that seems to run counter to the march of senseless productivity that characterizes modern life: People really totally completely shut down their work stuff around the holidays.
In my circles, even though speechwriting is not an emergency, I used to get some work emails over Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day and between Christmas and New Year's.
Almost none now—which makes me happy, for myself and for my correspondents, too.
We could all use a break, and it's got to be especially good for a community and a society when everyone takes that break at once, listens to this kid sing this song …
… (while trying for one last week not to contemplate the hopeful Christmas eight years ago when this kid sang this song, about a reindeer who'd down in history, "like Obama!") …
… and then takes a bunch more time off after that, in a nearly eerie week-long pajama day.
And then returns at the same time as everyone else, not so much recharged as 10 more pounds overweight, fuzzy-headed and reminded and that work is good. And without a thousand emails to answer, because everyone else has been lazy too.
To the extent that synchronized sloth and group guilt can unite our divided society—well, whatever works.
So at the end of this really hard and incredibly rewarding first year owning my own business, I and Pro Rhetoric, LLC's COO Benjamine Knight are shutting down completely until Tuesday, Jan. 3. And we're planning to do it every holiday season—and also for a week around July 4—from now on.
Meantime, here's something to keep you warm. Watch it til the end!
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