Utopia

I once read a book when I was an English major at Marquette titled Utopia. It was written in the 1500's, I believe, by a guy named Thomas More. It had a lot of weird little societal quirks and notions in it. Some of which led to modern-day communism. But what I was most drawn to was More's ideas around vocation. How people pursued their careers and how happy it made them. Essentially, in Utopia there was no sense of commerce. No capitalism. And thus, there wasn't any greed. For example, one character was a physician. He lived in a common house on a common street. No country club status. And, here's the kicker, he was sincerely happy. People "made a living" in Utopia by doing what they really wanted to. In fact, they really did "make a living." There's a gal here at work who just loves to bake. She does it every weekend and brings wonderful cakes, brownies, or cookies to the office every Monday morning. If she is on vacation or is traveling on business and misses a week, people wander around looking lost and stare empty eyed into their coffee. I just know that she would love to "make her living" at baking things for people. There's also another gal who should be a personal trainer. She's a dynamo. And there's a guy who is a pastor at a small church every weekend. I've heard him preach a few times. He has the gift, that's for sure. Now, each one of these colleagues is very good at the place I work. Don't get me wrong. Exceptional, in fact. But what makes me sad is that our Walmart world has diverted them away from what they are naturally good at and greatly enjoy. My wife believes that "work is work" and you come home to, well, a home where you can unwind and do what you really like to do. I disagree. I really wish we lived in a society where most people felt open and secure enough to pursue and do what they really want to do -- without the shackles of making enough to "live" on. I truly believe that we would all live longer. And be happier in general. But maybe society is only in its infancy. And we'll outgrow capitalism. Maybe we need a few more centuries to really grow up ... and mature. (If we don't kill one another beforehand.) In More's book, Utopia was a far-off land. But maybe, just maybe, it isn't about where Utopia takes place but when.