Michael was a hard worker — the kind of person everyone admired.
He was never late, never complained, and never… rested.

6 a.m.: already at his desk.
12 p.m.: eating lunch with one hand, typing reports with the other.
11 p.m.: still replying to client emails, with a status message that read,

“As long as the company needs me, I’ll always be here.”

Michael believed success only came to those who worked twice, even three times as hard as others.
He once told his best friend:

“Sleep less for a few years, and you’ll sleep in a mansion later.”

But that mansion never came.
What came first… was the emergency room.

The doctor looked at his results and sighed.

“Your heart’s tired, your liver’s overworked, and your mind is wound too tight.
If you don’t choose to rest — your body will choose for you.”

Michael stayed in the hospital for five days.
He brought his laptop with him… but never opened it.
Not because he was too tired.
But because for the first time in years — he felt empty.

And then he asked himself:

“Do I live to work… or work to live?”