On Work

On Work

Mother told us to always have the initiative, so we grew up asking “Can I help?” when it came to work duties.  Truly, we were blessed to be surrounded with people who loved work and valued it with integrity. And while we loved to assist most of the time, we have learned about accepting duties.

When we were students, some of us were taught to obey parents and finish the course they preferred for us.  Often, we did not like that way but still abided.  I remember I told my mother “I do not like your teaching profession because it is boring and common. It earns so little and it is not even glamorous.”

 

I was blasphemous at that.  I am sorry.  I did not even consider her love for work. And because of her noble teaching profession we were able to finish college (she was widowed at 37). She paved her way to the fulfillment of our goals and teaching her students well.

Work is something from the heart you offer.  It is not just for money, but serving God.  It fills the vacuum in the heart and gives you zeal.  The fruits of its labor becomes pure when it is done out of that sacred oath to duty, so that is why we pray for what we dream or want to be when we grow up.

The stories of Woolworth and Og Mandino counting cents and going the extra mile show us examples of good work habits.  The leadership and success books of Napoleon Hill and Hopkins encourage people to get rid of laziness and focus on goals.

To make kids aware of their duties, I tell them the story about the Lazy Juan.  The story of Lazy Juan is a Filipino folktale.  Juan always laid down under a guava tree and waited for the guavas to fall so he could eat them.   He was so lazy that he wanted comfort all the time, even telling the crabs to walk home instead of carrying them in a basket.

So what is it to work with love?  Kahlil Gibran says, “It is to charge all things you fashion with a breath of your own spirit, and to know that all the blessed dead are standing about you and watching.”

Sometimes, it is not working at all when you love your duties.  It comes out naturally in your day to day life with the aid of angels. 

Lord, sustain us and let us serve you well.

/rosevoc feb 28 2018

/rosevoc feb 28 2017