Article Reflection No. 26 (Written in ELA - 2021-22 School Year)

(Deakin Life)

Antagonized Laziness

In the article “The Most Valuable Thing I Can Teach My Kid Is How to Be Lazy” by Elliot Kukla, the writer conveys the importance of rest. To begin his article, Kukla reflects upon his fear of his chronic fatigue medical condition becoming a hindrance to becoming a good parent. As he shares this emotion, he also explains how people are surrounded by exhaustion: mournings for passed family members, struggles against socially-limiting quarantines, coronavirus’s new mutated variants, and environmental disasters that are growing increasingly dire through global warming. Kukla proceeds his journalism by referring to the origins of the word “lazy”, stating that German’s “laisch” means feeble or weak, continuing to enforce a negative connotation. To continue, the writer expresses his personal fear of being called “lazy” due to his medical deabilitation, and admits to the “[painful fact that] profits and productivity matter more to those in charge than [his] survival does” (Kukla 15). To wrap up his perspective, he then emphasizes how people need to enjoy the present moment, carry urgent pressure for shorter periods of time, and treat rest as an essential component of everyday life. This, Elliot Kukla argues, is what everyone deserves, and will significantly contribute to a fuller, more pleasurable life.

Comprehending this article requires familiar digestion. Being reminded that laziness is a form of rest, which is necessary for a prosperous life, is a repetitive path that I have gone through before. Yes, laziness has a prevalently negative connotation. Yes, laziness is not all degrading to society. Yes, laziness provides the privilege of taking in the present moment. What is new? As a student who strives to put my best effort into every assignment and assessment preparation, I reiterate this perspective to myself in reminder that I am human and I am enough. However, being reminded of it once more was not a vain experience. As the author states, accepting the present moment is fundamental, but I also believe it is crucial because it prompts deep appreciation for seemingly small, short moments, such as taking a deep breath and feeling the air flow through one’s body. Furthermore, the prevalent societal idea that profit exceeds an individual’s life disconcerted me because I viewed the constant headlines highlighting companies’ grappling efforts for power in the economic market to be immoral. As Kukla stated, this is a truth people are “painfully aware” of (Kukla 15), and will continue being one unless those in power become more compassionate to those who are not. Reading this article, learning about Kukla’s story, and absorbing the perspective that laziness is necessary for an enjoyable life was, overall, a beneficially impactful experience. Every once in a while, each individual must be reminded of the significance of pausing, resting, and taking a nice deep inhale.