American life today is centered on the workplace. The average adult spends more time each day w/his or her employers or employees than w/his or her partner, spouse, or children. Emotionally, our lives might center on our families and friends, but in terms of sheer time and energy, we spend most of our resources trying to make it at work.
Work, for many of us, is full of tension, anxiety, and pressure-w/a bit of boredom and frustrations thrown in. The average workday is a less-than-sacred experience, to be sure. So how do we transform the area of work from a material-based focus-w/all its psychological and emotional pain-to an experience of spiritual freedom and joy? A mystic takes every circumstance back to its spiritual foundation, asking fundamental questions about our higher identity and purpose. Who am I? Why am I here? What is the ultimate meaning of my life, my relationships, my work? If life is to have deeper meaning, can our work be something we merely do to make money? Or can work itself become sacred, a channel through which we shine our light and extend our love?
* Excerpt from Everyday Grace by Marianne Williamson
7 comments:
China, the secret is in knowing how to balance everything in your life.
Career people have two families. One at work and one at home.Since you work to support the one at home, it must be the one at home that is more important.
Remember, when you retire, and or eventually die,it is the one at home you must leave the most memories with.
The one at home will cry for you and remember you and talk about you for many generations to come. They will treasure your work and pictures and your spirit.
If you have family and children, make time for them.:)
I love my job...usually. When I don't, I have to remember to think "big picture". Similar to what you just stated, "why am I here? What is my purpose?" The answer to me is that God placed me in this place, at this time, to do His work. I remember that and all the sudden other people's petty attitudes allow me to see deeper into their souls, what's eating at them, why? It helps me to respond showing God's grace. They will know we are Christians by our love.
I think the important factor is people. Whatever we do, in someway we work with or for people. To be a light and love and help people is one reason we're on this old planet living day to day.
The selfish reason of raking in more dough, fufilling our person goals and even the necessary reason of providing for our families should not be all there is to our employment. Those who miss the higher purpose of love, miss it all.
Jen
This is so true. Most of all our energy and time goes to the workplace. Speaking for myself, by the time I get home, I feel like I have nothing left to give.
Since my class ended (at the preschool where I work) for the summer, I don't have to work this summer. This is my first summer in about 3 and a half years that I don't have to work. It is such a blessing. I pray that I make the most of it.
My children seem to enjoy the fact that I am home. They don't have to worry about being drop-off to Grandma's House and not being able to really do anything, but look at TV.
So, now that I am off, we are able to go the YMCA, the movies, and do many other fun things. I spend this time with them because I know when the new school year starts, it's going to be back to the old routine schedule.
Thanks so much for this post. Blessings to you, sweetie!!
Good morning beautiful women, I love all of your responses and needed something positive to start my Monday. Thank you all for your input and honest remarks. I know they all come from your hearts and that's why I am so very blessed to have such a loving blog family! My home and work family both drive me crazy but I love them both, one more than the other (smile)
PAK ART love the new photo. At least it's new to my eyes (smile)
Have a happy day everyone!
Love, peace and blessings
China
Wow. This post & the rest of your blog is so encouraging. I thank you so much for uplifting my night. I look forward to reading more for the encouragement.
"Work, for many of us, is full of tension, anxiety, and pressure-w/a bit of boredom and frustrations thrown in"
This is definitely true for me. I make sure that I never take any of that out the door with me when I leave. I refuse to take the negativity home with me. I've also learned to make my own little world when I am at work. Although some of the bull cannot be avoided, I surround myself with people who make me laugh and force me to enjoy my day. I also know that I have goals that I am destined to achieve and that keeps me going day after day.
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