I got up with my wife, I sat down at the computer when she went

In the pursuit of work, there is a profound dedication that consumes the mind and spirit, drawing us into its flow as the river pulls the traveler downstream. The words of Stephen R. George—"I got up with my wife, I sat down at the computer when she went to work, and I didn't stop until she got home"—speak to this timeless truth: when passion and purpose unite, they demand our full attention. George captures the experience of a person wholly immersed in their craft, where the hours slip by unnoticed, and the work becomes both a personal mission and a sacred duty. In this moment, the computer is not just a tool, but the portal through which the creator channels their deepest energy, and the line between work and life blurs into a single, consuming endeavor.

In the ancient world, philosophers and artisans understood this deep devotion to their craft. Take Plato, whose every waking moment was consumed by his search for wisdom. He did not divide his life into neat compartments of work and leisure; rather, his philosophy was a lifelong pursuit that permeated his every action. Aristotle, too, spent countless hours in contemplation and study, seeking to understand the nature of existence itself. Their commitment to knowledge and truth was not a transient or temporary thing but a consuming force. George’s words echo this ancient wisdom: when one is dedicated to a cause, there is no time to waste, no space to leave between the work and the passion that fuels it. The work itself becomes an extension of the person’s being, a journey that begins with the first breath of the day and does not end until the final breath is taken.

Consider the story of Leonardo da Vinci, a man whose genius spanned art, science, and invention. His creations—both paintings and machines—were driven by an unyielding obsession to understand the world. Da Vinci did not see his work as a task to complete and move on from, but as a life’s purpose. There are accounts that describe how he would sometimes work for days on end without rest, his mind consumed by the intricacies of his creations. The famous Mona Lisa, for example, was not completed in a matter of days but was refined over several years, as da Vinci continually returned to the piece, adjusting, perfecting, and experimenting. Stephen R. George’s account mirrors this same drive: the work becomes an all-consuming force, drawing the artist into the task until the world outside fades away.

In more recent history, Thomas Edison embodies this same relentless pursuit. Known for his obsession with innovation, Edison was often described as working without rest, driven by a desire to bring his inventions into the world. Edison would spend entire days in his laboratory, not leaving until the task was finished. It was through this relentless dedication that he created the lightbulb and founded the world’s first industrial research laboratory. In these moments of sheer focus, the work itself becomes the reason for existence, as if everything else in life must give way to the task at hand. This is the essence of George’s statement: when true passion and purpose align, the work takes precedence, and time becomes irrelevant.

The lesson of George’s words is one of commitment and dedication. In a world filled with distractions and endless possibilities for how we can divide our time, the ability to focus deeply on a singular pursuit is a rare and valuable skill. It is through immersion in our work that we find true fulfillment, not just in the outcomes, but in the very act of creation. The challenge, however, is not in the work itself, but in the balance between dedication and the rest of our lives. George’s words remind us of the importance of diving deeply into what we love, but also the value of knowing when to step back, to reconnect with those around us and to remember that the balance between work and life is not always easy to maintain.

In practical terms, this means dedicating ourselves to our craft, whether it is art, writing, engineering, or any other pursuit, with the same focus and determination that George describes. Set aside time each day to immerse yourself in the work that speaks to you, allowing the process to carry you away. However, remember that true mastery comes not just from endless hours of work, but also from moments of reflection, relaxation, and connection with others. Just as Edison, da Vinci, and Plato knew, the greatest creations are born not only from intense focus, but also from the wisdom gained by stepping away and seeing the world anew.

Ultimately, Stephen R. George’s words teach us that dedication to a cause is an act of both love and discipline. The computer, in his case, symbolizes not just a tool, but the gateway through which ideas are brought to life. When we commit ourselves fully to a pursuit, we connect with the ancient tradition of great creators and thinkers, driven not by time or profit, but by an insatiable desire to create, to innovate, and to learn. Let us, then, rise each day with the same resolve, diving deep into our work, knowing that in the process, we will find our truest self. Through this dedication, we craft not just products, but legacies that will endure far beyond the fleeting moments of our daily lives.