True
Work
“Your
work is to keep cranking the flywheel that turns the gears that spin
the belt in the engine of belief that keeps you and your desk in
midair.”
Annie
Dillard
Do
you ever stop in the middle of your work, whatever your work is, and
think, “What am I doing here? What is this all about? Why am I
doing it?” Especially if our work is routine, like mine is these
days—packing and shipping items sold on eBay, and listing more for
sale—these questions come fairly often. Today, I will list
vintage costumes, mid-century advertising, some porcelain dolls and
antique silver spoons. Where's the meaning in that?
Here's
the deal—this isn't my true work. This is the work I do to support
myself while I do my true work, which doesn't pay anything but fills
my soul and ignites my spirit. That work is exploration of the
mystery of life as it relates to belief and spirituality. The
Spirituality Group on Sunday mornings is my true work. Writing this
blog is my true work. The eBay business allows me to keep doing it.
I
wonder about you. Are there things your soul wants to do? Do you
dream about what it would be like to study with a Swami, or attend a
meditation center in the desert? How about something as simple as
reading a spiritual development book and discussing its words and
images with other seekers? Does that kind of thing seem frivolous to
you? What if that's your real work?
Sometimes
we cannot see the benefit of the things we do in the the spiritual
realm. Often we see them as optional, as something to fit in
around the edges of a busy life. But our real work is to further the
evolution of our species, and we can do that in the midst of our
lives simply by thinking deeply about things. Instead of skimming the
surface and coming to the end of the day physically spent and vacant,
we could explore the role of spirit in our lives, and in our choice of work. We could talk to
others about it. How are the relationships we create in our workplace
serving us and the world? What exists within us that wants to come
out and be given voice? Can it be expressed in our work?
If not, how can it be expressed? This is the true work of all of us.
In
the Spirit,
Jane
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