Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) Chapter 40 and the Weight of Work
The weight of our work can feel heavy at times - some days more than others. But Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) Chapter 40 tells us that weighty feeling shouldn't surprise us.
"Great labour is created for all men, and a heavy yoke is upon the children of Adam, from the day of their coming out of their mother's womb, until the day of their burial into the mother of all.
In past posts, we've seen that work is decidedly not a punishment we suffer because of Original Sin. We're made for work. Perhaps had Adam and Eve not screwed up, work would be lighter affair. But they did and it's not. Most of us have felt the weight of a hard day's work.
If it's any consolation, Eccleisasticus points out that no matter our station in life, rich or poor, king or peasant, powerful or oppressed, we share the same burden when it comes to our work:
"Their thoughts, and fears of the heart, their imagination of things to come, and the day of their end: From him that sitteth on a glorious throne, unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes: From him that weareth purple, and beareth the crown, even to him that is covered with rough linen..."
What are your thoughts and feelings during a typical workday? This isn't about navel-gazing; it's about self-awareness. Being aware of your thoughts and feelings - being in touch with them - prevents them from running amok. Let's look at a personal example of being aware of our thoughts at work:
Because I've got a very active mind (which is neither good nor bad - it just is), I can be constantly buffeted by over-thinking what I'm working on, never mind random thoughts that can distract me from the task at hand. It's part of the weight of my work - one of the ways my fallen human nature can create chaos where there should be order. To counter this tendency, I've learned to discipline my mind over the years. As a result, my powers of concentration have improved. While my thoughts can still run amok, I've learned how to recognize this quickly and corral them.
In past posts, we've talked about the importance of being organized and having good systems in place at work. These may be the most effective ways of keeping your over-active brain in check. If you stay organized and follow your systems, you've got guide-rails that will keep you thoughts from straying too far from the task at hand. Even if your brain remains in overdrive most of the time, at least at work, you'll keep it focused on what needs to get done, thus fulfilling your duties in a timely manner.
Thinking about those times when I operated with less well-developed systems to help me work in an organized and more concentrated fashion, I can attest to this: Being organized and having good systems lightens that weighty feeling that can make work a bit taxing, dreary, even miserable if you're not careful.
If you exercise to keep in shape you'll get this comparison: Putting in the effort to be organized, creating reliable, effective systems to assist you through the work day is a lot like good, vigorous exercise. The effort may be strenuous at times, but it's well worth it. You know the mantra "no pain, no gain" when it comes to exercise, right?. If so, you know that the exertion it takes to get results is generally worth the effort. For example, what once felt unbearably heavy isn't so much anymore. Apply that same rigor to organizing your work, having effective systems in place, and the weight of work will be much easier to bear. What once felt heavy will "magically" feel a lot lighter.
With our thoughts more under control, working more effectively for us, we might still face a challenge from our feelings. Feelings - our emotions - can add their own special weight to our work, just as they do to our personal lives. Whether generated by the work itself, those with whom we work, our bosses, our customers or clients, or some combination thereof, emotions raging out of control will add lead weight to any work day. Next time we'll look at some examples.
For now, if your over-active mind is playing havoc with your concentration, or your emotions have gotten you in a tizzy, try just taking some deep breaths combined with aspirations like: "My Jesus, I love you, or " Mother Mary, thank you for your care and consolation," or any other of your favorite aspirations. Try checking in with your Guardian Angel, who will be more than happy to steady you. If you have a patron saint for your business, you can just have a quick chat and let them know what's irking you.
Developing the practice of praying aspirations at work is within anyone's grasp, no matter how demanding you work, no matter how little time you get during the day to breathe. And developing a relationship with your Guardian Angel, your favorite saints, bringing them into the mix, reminds you that you're not alone. Help is just an aspiration or a petition away.
Next time we'll discuss an even better way to help us deal with the weight of our work.
"Great labour is created for all men, and a heavy yoke is upon the children of Adam, from the day of their coming out of their mother's womb, until the day of their burial into the mother of all.
In past posts, we've seen that work is decidedly not a punishment we suffer because of Original Sin. We're made for work. Perhaps had Adam and Eve not screwed up, work would be lighter affair. But they did and it's not. Most of us have felt the weight of a hard day's work.
If it's any consolation, Eccleisasticus points out that no matter our station in life, rich or poor, king or peasant, powerful or oppressed, we share the same burden when it comes to our work:
"Their thoughts, and fears of the heart, their imagination of things to come, and the day of their end: From him that sitteth on a glorious throne, unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes: From him that weareth purple, and beareth the crown, even to him that is covered with rough linen..."
What are your thoughts and feelings during a typical workday? This isn't about navel-gazing; it's about self-awareness. Being aware of your thoughts and feelings - being in touch with them - prevents them from running amok. Let's look at a personal example of being aware of our thoughts at work:
Because I've got a very active mind (which is neither good nor bad - it just is), I can be constantly buffeted by over-thinking what I'm working on, never mind random thoughts that can distract me from the task at hand. It's part of the weight of my work - one of the ways my fallen human nature can create chaos where there should be order. To counter this tendency, I've learned to discipline my mind over the years. As a result, my powers of concentration have improved. While my thoughts can still run amok, I've learned how to recognize this quickly and corral them.
In past posts, we've talked about the importance of being organized and having good systems in place at work. These may be the most effective ways of keeping your over-active brain in check. If you stay organized and follow your systems, you've got guide-rails that will keep you thoughts from straying too far from the task at hand. Even if your brain remains in overdrive most of the time, at least at work, you'll keep it focused on what needs to get done, thus fulfilling your duties in a timely manner.
Thinking about those times when I operated with less well-developed systems to help me work in an organized and more concentrated fashion, I can attest to this: Being organized and having good systems lightens that weighty feeling that can make work a bit taxing, dreary, even miserable if you're not careful.
If you exercise to keep in shape you'll get this comparison: Putting in the effort to be organized, creating reliable, effective systems to assist you through the work day is a lot like good, vigorous exercise. The effort may be strenuous at times, but it's well worth it. You know the mantra "no pain, no gain" when it comes to exercise, right?. If so, you know that the exertion it takes to get results is generally worth the effort. For example, what once felt unbearably heavy isn't so much anymore. Apply that same rigor to organizing your work, having effective systems in place, and the weight of work will be much easier to bear. What once felt heavy will "magically" feel a lot lighter.
With our thoughts more under control, working more effectively for us, we might still face a challenge from our feelings. Feelings - our emotions - can add their own special weight to our work, just as they do to our personal lives. Whether generated by the work itself, those with whom we work, our bosses, our customers or clients, or some combination thereof, emotions raging out of control will add lead weight to any work day. Next time we'll look at some examples.
For now, if your over-active mind is playing havoc with your concentration, or your emotions have gotten you in a tizzy, try just taking some deep breaths combined with aspirations like: "My Jesus, I love you, or " Mother Mary, thank you for your care and consolation," or any other of your favorite aspirations. Try checking in with your Guardian Angel, who will be more than happy to steady you. If you have a patron saint for your business, you can just have a quick chat and let them know what's irking you.
Developing the practice of praying aspirations at work is within anyone's grasp, no matter how demanding you work, no matter how little time you get during the day to breathe. And developing a relationship with your Guardian Angel, your favorite saints, bringing them into the mix, reminds you that you're not alone. Help is just an aspiration or a petition away.
Next time we'll discuss an even better way to help us deal with the weight of our work.
Comments