Use the following philosophy/litmus test before starting any sort of project in your lifetime, however small: What if I decided NOT to do this activity? Is it immanently productive? Who will this particular project impact, either in a positive or negative fashion, or worse–Will it impact no one at all? Does this activity I have in mind constitute good, efficient usage of my limited time here on Earth? Is it going to contribute anything of value to my happiness, or the happiness of those I love most, in any significant way? And lastly, but most importantly: Would it make any difference in the big scheme of things if I simply did not do this task or activity at hand and moved on to something altogether different?!?! Will my non-participation have a negative impact on anyone or anything??? Might this endeavor have a lasting impact on humanity, however miniscule…..or not? (Hint: Making one’s bed every morning like an obsessive hamster churning away on a spinning wheel is a classic example of time simply being wasted egregiously in a meaningless non-activity; so too are a multitude of the household and yard chores we feel compelled to do blindly and without thinking every day of our lives, i.e. mowing your lawn twice a week, raking up every fallen leaf, washing clothes compulsively, doing dishes each and every evening following supper, etc. etc. etc.).
Fred's Soapbox 