[Lakeshark]

I cannot understand, can hardly comprehend the obvious jiggy boy conclusion: That the idea of working hard, getting better, and hoping to become successful only leads to a life of drudgery and being on some treadmill.

I'm sorry, that's so far from the truth, it pains me to read what you said.

Working hard, striving for excellence in what you do not only leads many to success, but those who don't reap big financially (and there are some) reap in spades the developed character of honesty, loyalty, and the capacity to deal with life in a whole different dimension. Developed character is its own reward.

Long ago I heard this quote from George Gobel (successful entertainer at the end of his life): "It took me thirty years to become an overnight success." You might want to think about that for a while........

[RipSawyer]

Many years ago Burt Reynolds posed nude for Cosmopolitan magazine. George Gobel said, “I posed nude once...and that’s when people found out why they call me “Lonesome George”. It was one of the funniest things I have ever heard. America lost a real treasure when Lonesome George passed on at the early age of 71. Hard to believe someone so lovable came out of Chicago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqiS_U9erTE