WORK? A VIRTUE!?!? Who came up with THAT?! Musta been somebody in management!
Okay – I admit it – I was a bit nonplussed when I saw Work listed as one of the virtues in William Bennett’s Book of Virtues! But after I got to reading it I started to realize a bit better what it was that he was talking about. See “work” isn’t necessarily your JOB! It’s the constructive effort you put forth in your life and it very much defines who you are! It’s not just wither you are a butcher or a baker or a candlestick maker (boy THERE’S a Career suffering in this economy!). It’s also about the work you do as a fly fishermen, painter or gardener. The stuff you pour yourself into creates your life! For instance I love to garden, ask anyone who knows me and they’ll tell you that I’m always leafing through seed catalogs or talking about the variety of pepper or tomato I plan on growing next year. My back yard in one huge garden and I spend an insane amount of money growing those “free” veggies! Gardening is a big part of my life gentlemen and one that impacts how I eat, how I spend my money and what I am interested in. I also like to think that whenever I pass on to that Great Cabbage Patch in the sky that someone coming after me will appreciate all I did to improve my little patch of garden soil.
Of course work, under this definition, has a lot to do with your job as well. Bennett includes pieces in this chapter to underscore how pouring yourself into your job is important as well. Sort of a zen-like concept of being present focused and putting all of yourself and all of your effort into each moment of your life. No matter if you are a Brain Surgeon or a Janitor be intent on doing each task to the utmost of your ability. Sure – it pays the same to do a great job as it does to do a mediocre one – but it’s really not about the pay; it’s about self-respect, character building and serving others.
Finally, while the book doesn’t really emphasise this, I think it can be pointed out that doing work as defined above also applies greatly to being a father. Sometimes we all tend to “coast” a bit in relationships, even with our children. But putting forth the effort to make every moment count, to pour yourself into parenting them with a fully involved heart and mind is truly your greatest work.
So – as much as I hate to admit it, I guess that work really IS a virtue! And furthermore it is one which us divorced “dudes” can profit from developing in our lives. Anyway – it is something worth thinking about.
Hope this helps and be well!
Bill
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