People are just people, everywhere you go. Everyone has their favorite hobbies and if given the chance, they would spend hours doing just that. And most of us also have heavy responsibilities that we avoid like the plague for as long as possible. As long as possible without wrecking our finances, or letting the house fall down around our ears.

But only doing the great stuff? A truly adult life doesn’t work like that. Not unless you were fortunate enough to make a career out of your favorite hobby. But even then, there’s parts that are boring and stressful. For example, if you love toddlers and have chosen to run a daycare, those hours you get to spend playing and teaching them are magical. But as sure as day follows night, there is cleanup, bookkeeping, restocking of supplies, taxes and a myriad of other responsibilities that aren’t near as much fun. But still, they have to be done.

That’s the way life works for most people. And most adults accept it. Work and play, play and work.

But. Then there’s others. That certain segment of semi-adults who somehow believe that “I am definitely entitled to live differently!” They think that because they only live once, they should be allowed to only do what they choose. Only the fun stuff. The adventurous stuff. And if society protests and tries to get them to change and accept responsibility for their life, they just stubbornly claim they have the right to exercise their right to do absolutely nothing of value.

Others in that segment of non-working adults think they should play now, while they still have youthful vim and vigor. Work and responsibility can come later in life, after they have had time to experience all that adult playtime has to offer.

The whole idea does sound fun, and honestly, kind of tempting. After all, who doesn’t like the idea of doing exactly as you want? When, how, and where you want. All the time. And then spend your – ahem – less than energetic years, working some dull, meaningless job that will allow you to pay off all your bills from earlier decades.

But there’s a problem with that entire thought; If we all played, who provides the basics for the world? Food crops, transportation, homes, hospitals and the money to have all those essentials?

Second problem: In order to be meaningful, life needs real challenges to our minds, emotions and our bodies. In short, we need work. Without it, life gets sickening and uninspired. Much like a child who is allowed to eat sugary foods only and ends up suffering in every way, because his body is not receiving what it needs.

In the same way, we humans need work and playtime to actually thrive. We need the challenge and the learned discipline that comes with hard work. But we also have to have time away from that work.

I believe it’s called balance. — Podcasts are available at Coffeetimecolumn.com. Send any responses to andybowman839@gmail.com.