Busy, Actually

@tomfinkelpearl posted the following on Instagram …

Everyone: Tom, how are you enjoying retirement?

Me: I am not retired. I’m working on a show, a book and am teaching.

Everyone: Oh, so you are keeping busy?

Me: No I am not “keeping busy.” I am just busy.

Argh!  There’s something about that phrase “keeping busy” that sounds oh-so-minimizing of someone’s work. As if grownups need to be kept out of trouble by spending time in meaningless pursuits, for the sole purpose of passing time.

How about this approach, instead …

Everybody: Tom, how are you enjoying your fascinating work?

(Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels)