Special Tools to Establish Stability in the Workplace - 8
As we proceed with our Special Tools, let's be sure to recognize that we do so in the Holy Season of Advent.
Recall that, in his Rule, St. Benedict provides us with "tools" that can help us foster stability in the workplace. Today we look at some of these tools. Let's see how we can apply these in the workplace. We'll see how St. Benedict's remarks can help us produce our best work in an atmosphere of stability, despite any problems and distractions we face, especially those coming at us these days.
Recent examples of distractions include the so-called "Omicron" variant of the C-Virus. Little is known of the nature of this thing: whether it's more/less contagious than previous variants; how severe are the symptoms if one catches it; whether the "vaccines" (single, double, booster) protect anyone in any way, etc. And yet, without such specifics, media joins with the governments to scream: "Warning!" Even health care "spokespersons" join the cacophony. It's all stoking the fear machine that's got a good percentage of our fellow human beings cowering.
I don't know about you, but I find all this distracting. It lingers in my brain even as I get down to my day's work. Left unattended, it can rattle the calm and rational performance of my daily tasks. It can easily have the same effect a bad cold or other ailment might have on my work. Rather than peace and stability, I could wind up struggling to steady myself in the face of all that comes at me throughout the work day. Anything that could buck up stability would be most welcome. St. Benedict's Special Tools could do the trick.
The stability that will come if we heed St. Benedict's advice will also be a great aid in observing Advent faithfully, no matter how busy our workday, no matter how many problems and distractions we face.
We pick up today where we left off last time with "The Tools of Good Works."
- To keep one's mouth from evil and depraved talk.
- Not to love much speaking.
- Not to speak vain words or such as move to laughter.
Custody of the tongue: That's what we're looking at here. And isn't it an appropriate antidote to the uncontrolled jaw-flapping of mindless, fear-mongering verbiage that's being spewed at us?
We can't control what others spit at us; but we can control what we spew out. Not only will our self-control counter the destabilizing forces of the Gauleiters and storm-troopers spawned by this C-Virus Mess, but the practice of custody of the tongue will bolster a stable workplace. Even before the current pandemic onslaught, I found that keeping the tongue in check fostered calm and peace. The more talk, the less "space" for thinking. The less space for thoughtful activity, the less efficient and productive the time spent working. It's really not that complicated, is it?
Custody of the tongue is one way to develop self-discipline. It can serve as a source of mortification, a practice we've discussed many times in the past. Mortification of the senses has always been a fundamental building block of a solidly built Interior Life - that life of the soul that propels us ever closer to God. It's a gift to be able to pursue mortification in the midst of our busy work day.
Today's Special Tools will thus serve us in several ways: as one means of mortification, a practice we should pursue on any given work day; as a means to build self-discipline, the basic "core exercise" of a healthy spiritual life; and yet another way to reinforce stability in the face of the distractions flying at us, particularly those related to our ongoing, seemingly never-ending C-Virus Mess.
And as we apply these special Tools, let's do so in the recollected spirit of this Holy Season of Advent.
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