Blessed is who has found his work; let him ask no other blessedness.
~ Thomas Carlyle
The work we do should feed our soul and keep it strong, as good food nourishes the body. Sometimes we work only for money and survival because it may be that that’s all we can do at the moment. But often we work this way because we’re living someone else’s life rather than our own. Are we working to bring a father’s, or a mother’s, dreams to fruition? Or perhaps we have convinced ourselves that it’s better to be rich than happy. Do we believe the two are mutually exclusive? We must reflect on these questions with courage to find out whether we’re doing work that blesses ourselves and others.
Before the years run out, we need to be sure we’re not running from our heart’s desire out of fear or a desire for approval. We must be true to our inner life, because it’s the only life we can be certain of.
Today I’ll look at my work. If it doesn’t ring true, if it’s not “my bliss,” I’ll do some interior work necessary to discover my next step. If I find that I’m doing what I’m meant to do, then it falls to me to feel thankful.
Excerpt from A Quiet Strength: Meditations on the Masculine Soul