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    Have you ever noticed that, sometimes, comfort and familiarity can bring anger, frustration and heartache?  Unbelievable how, in the midst of stability, there can be such erratic thoughts, issues and concerns.  Yet here I am, the start of another work week ahead of me, all the while in the comfortable and stable position of having an actual "work week" ahead of me; however, the frustration is there.  It's beyond the simple idea of jealousy, hatred, or the thought of feeling 'overworked and underpaid'.  Besides, why bitch and moan about a job you actually have, right?  Yet, here I am, a man who despite the consistency, seeks a decrease in the inconsistent thoughts roaming around in my brain day to day, week to week, month to month, and year to year.  So why is that?
    I still remember the day I officially obtained what is considered an "Associates Degree", which basically states that I worked hard enough in my first 2 year venture out of high school to receive an award for my apparent dedication to this form of post-secondary education.
    I remember because its also the time when my father, upon hearing of my so-called triumph, informed me that the County Sheriff's Office he currently worked at would hire someone with such a standard degree.  Now, such a proclamation of sorts by my father at this time kind of confused me, because, all I was ever really told to do growing up was "finish High School, FINISH COLLEGE, and get a good job.  But here is my dad, basically telling me to drop of school, because there is a lenient education requirement policy at a certain job.
    I never understood truly why he brought it up (even if he apparently was half-joking at the time) until I got a little older.  Which then comes the older me, having a conversation with the same man a few years later about a job opportunity.  Before I can even finish the actual description of the job, my dad interrupted me in order to ask the very important question of , "But does it come with benefits"?  And thats when it all hit me.
    As I sat, day after day, at a local Barnes and Noble bookstore in my mid 20's reading numerous books on self improvement, wealth, and big business, I never really put two and two together until my dad said what he said.  
    Some term it the 'Rat Race'.  Maybe it can also be called, 'the evil road to consistency, may she be so cruel along the way'.
    As I now sit here, in my 30's, I reflect on all I have learned, and I wonder just how much consistency, comfort and stability has for some reason negatively affected my life.  Why does life work like that?  Why does life sometimes offer you such things at a price.  Why does life sometimes seem to offer you nights and weekends off, paid vacation/sick time, and a pension plan, only to then take away your motivation, creativity and strength.    
    They say that 'familiarity breeds contempt'.  I think i finally understand what that means.  A nicely paved road is definitely an easier way to travel, but what if it ends up being that of a race track which comes right back around into one big circle.     
What do ya think a that?