Are Some Days at Work Tough Like This?
Some days at work might be tough. We've lately focused on both potential troubles that might affect us all, as well as those that specific to each of us as individuals. Since the big "Stuff" hasn't hit the fan yet (so far), here's something we came across that could be helpful in our own specific tough days at work. First a quick contextual intro.
We all have good days and bad days at work. Some days start out great and hit a speed bump. Other's are a struggle to get going, but may end up splendidly. Or maybe you get a hot streak of productive days followed by a tough streak.
It's all part of us being human, created in God's image, but struggling from the start with our fallen human nature.
Sure, we were baptized and Original Sin got the boot. But we never shake the effects of Adam and Eve's Original Sin, the one that kicked us all (not just them) out of the Garden and sent us into the world having to toil with sweat for our daily bread - never mind our daily struggle to keep our soul alive and pure in the face of the world, the flesh, and the devil.
All this comes with a jumble of emotions that can whip us up and down like yo-yos, lift us up until we think we're invincible, then grind us into the dirt until we're ready to throw in the towel.
Maybe a little dramatic? Maybe for you. But for some of us - maybe most of us - not really. It's just how life goes.
We bring all this into our workplace each day. It's part of what we talk about here. It's a big chunk of the practical and spiritual challenges we face as we get down to the business of the day.
With this in mind, we came across this most interesting "checklist" from Archbishop Alban Goodier. If you've never read anything he's written, you might put his name on your list of solid Catholic spiritual guides to check out.
Meanwhile, check this list out. Even if this day isn't a particularly tough one, we can find one or more items that will aid us in bolstering our spiritual life while things are relatively calm. And we know that a strong spiritual life will be our best defense against any and all trouble that comes our way.
(Archbishop Alban Goodier, S.J.)
1. It is possible –
- to make too little of daily faults,
- to make too much of them,
- in either case to leave them alone, either as of no account, or as being incurable.
2. One of the best signs of a healthy spiritual life is refusal to acquiesce in daily faults. They may always be there, like weeds in a garden. The best ground grows the most weeds, and needs to be weeded most.
3. Faults, or at least temptations, are to be expected.Because of the craving of our human nature which is ‘prone to evil’;
- Because of past sins and habits;
- Because of the enemy, who will never leave alone those who really try;
- Because of the permission of God, who sees they are good for us.
4. Why does He permit them?
- For our humiliation: showing us what creatures we are;
- For our instruction: teaching us by experience what otherwise we would never learn; making us more sympathetic with sinners, seeing what we find ourselves to be;
- For our sanctification: because of the constant battle: that we may have something to give continually to God.
Comments