All that is not eternal is eternally useless.
CS LEWIS
One of the sources of discouragement of not having a job is setting your hopes too much on immediate gratification that you will get one soon. Not having a job is not end of the world (people in Japan leap to their death sometimes when they lose their jobs). Life is certainly more than work. Life is more than what is found in the here and now.
I want to be a productive member of society as much as the next person, but this 'break' gives great time for reflection.
For some that reflection comes quickly. Life stopped for the couple on vacationing who lost their daughter to kidnappers. Life stopped for families of five cheerleaders who were killed coming back from a camp.
What we hold so dear to us suddenly gets reset when life stops.
The recent news of a terrorist plot averted by God's grace in London reminded me life is very fleeting. Truly, I want to live for things that echoes into eternity. Things like, "He loved his wife, family and friends." "He loved God."