In the first pages of reading Thoreau, I was intrigued by his ideas of men working. He talks about the struggle of men trying to work and how little the gain is compared to the hardship. He writes, "He has no time to be anything but a machine". He speaks of how one should treat themselves with delicate handling rather than roughing up the body. I've never read a man's perspective on their work, and it made sense to me. I think it's really important for a person to enjoy their work, because it is a part of life. I also think one should take time to rest as well and take care of themselves.
I also really like the idea that he has about how people tend to waste their lives when they have to work so many hours to pay off things that they don't get to enjoy. For instance, if a man boys a big house and has to work all of the time to pay it off he won't get to enjoy it. This subject made me not want to buy as much, and to enjoy what I already have and to be thankful. I would rather live a simple life than have to work all of the time to pay off what I buy. Like Thoreau, I want to enjoy nature and the simple things of life. I don't want possessions to end up owning me, rather than me owning them.
I also really agreed with the idea about how people tend to waste their lives when they have to work so much. I think sometimes it is good to take a step back and realize what is happening around you while you are spending all of that time working. Good Post!
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