Sometimes. Modern life can be stressful! Scientists have estimated that, if we live to an average age of seventy eight, we'll have spent seven years of our lives at work, nine months commuting to and from work and a total of six months stuck in traffic jams.  Nowadays we work so hard, sometimes it feels like there's no time to actually live.  I mean, look at me. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love my job.

 It was just that, it didn't matter how many cars, gold watches, paintings or expensive espresso machines I bought, I was working sixteen hours a day and didn't have any time to enjoy them!  Anyway, a friend suggested I go on a retreat.  You know a quiet place in the middle of nowhere where you live a simple life and forget about the stresses of the outside world. So that's how I found myself in a monastery. It took me some time to get used to the lifestyle.

We got up at five thirty am. No one spoke, we were completely silent. We meditated for an hour then ate a simple breakfast of bread and milk. Then came the work. Every day we had a different duty: feeding the pigs and cows, gardening, gathering apples from the trees in the orchard, cleaning or mending the monastery building, cooking, washing up.

At night we studied and meditated. From nine till ten pm was 'Quiet Time'' when no one spoke and then it was 'lights out'. And do you know, after about six weeks I began to feel calm, centered, relaxed. My life was much simpler, healthier and more focused on the now than it had been for many, many years. But, in the end, time is money.

I just had to get back to work and, actually I feel great.  I feel motivated again. Batteries recharged. The difference is, these days I try not to work more than ten hours a day and I have at least one day off every week. We all need a break sometimes.

There's more to life than just work.