Friday, December 9, 2022
Is there anything on earth more desirable than love, joy, contentment, and peace? If not, why are we so busy working? I have no idea. But everyone seems to be trying to “get there” by working harder. The notion of so-called hard work is making us tense, stressed, and frazzled. Working hard, as we’ve come to understand it, is a useless depletion of energy. It implies that one has to burn the midnight oil; clamp down and get serious; and to stop at nothing to achieve. But what does that do? It runs one ragged. That kind of so-called hard work is leaving us calloused, burned up and burned out, and left with nothing to show except deteriorating health, bedraggled relationships, and no time to enjoy life.
There is nothing on earth more important than health, wellness, peacefulness, joy and your sense of love in the company of others. “Working hard” prevents you from seeing what you’re missing in life, the goodness of being safe, the magic of community, and the joy of productivity. The notion of hard work implies gritting your teeth, clamping down in tension, and huffing and puffing like a dreadful creature with no time for anything but dread.
You may have a lot to do, but that work cannot create a monster out of you. Don’t let your work befoul you, disintegrate your health, or destroy your relationships. Step outside of the myopia of “work” and look out of the window, if you can; take a pause in between tasks; or notice yourself getting caught up in the so-called seriousness of your work. Nothing is life-threatening, so chill. Nothing is more important than love, joy, contentment and peace, so chill. Don’t let work turn you into a monster! Why not work softly, calmly, and joyfully? The world has enough monsters.