Work is Giving

Since today is a community work day, there is an opportunity to work together for the benefit of the community and to recognize how we can look at opportunities for work. Sometimes we may feel that the word work already has the connotation of drudgery, a burden in some way. But that’s just how we perceive it and, therefore, create a certain feeling around it. Instead, we can change our perceptions and see work as an opportunity for giving – giving which benefits others, giving which benefits somebody other than ourselves. These are opportunities to do something quite noble.

You can also look at work in terms of something that is enjoyable. In the English language, the word “work” doesn’t have the connotation of being enjoyable. However, in Thai, the same word that one uses for work is also used to mean festival. If it’s a festival, it’s an opportunity to get together and have a good time. This creates a completely different perception than drudgery. That same Thai word is also used in terms of marriage. It is interesting seeing how many connotations we bring to words. Certainly it’s the perception we have of work and what we bring to it that gives us the opportunity to put our intention on generosity, sharing, participating and helping. These intentions brighten the mind and help us enjoy ourselves at the same time.