Not because we have to but because we get to…
May 2024
I get frustrated when “The Work” (all the things that all the people do to make sure that we can do all the things we need and want to do) seems to be ignored, debased, reviled, and denied. (See last week’s rant if you want more background on what I’m referencing.)
“The Work” affects us beyond what we and others do that keep life running around us. “The Work” is actually what brings us life. Not because we got someone to clean our house, because someone (or we) are cleaning our house.
“The Work” stands alone.
What did an enlightened master say?
“Before Enlightenment chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment chop wood, carry water”.
I know that the million little insignificant things I do are actually WAY more important to myself, to those I love, those I work with and those I will interact with (both now and in the future) than any “big accomplishment” I could ever check off my list.
Sure, I still want to do those big things and I’m excited to do it. But the process of getting to do them is much more important than the big event. I wrap those seemingly big event tasks (because big events don’t “just happen” into my daily routine – with the laundry, dishes, making food, getting ready for the work day, exercise, and all the other little things along the way.
To do the big things, you have to do those little things.
(It also helps me keep from freaking out if I keep things at a taskable, manageable level. Don’t worry about the whole workshop – just figure out the intro. And tomorrow you will create one exercise. The day after that the second exercise…)
I think of another quote that I believe often gets misused and is misunderstood:
“Build it and They Will Come.”
Let’s be real “They” may come and “they” may not.
The real meaning and understanding of the quote: “I want to build it whether or not people come.” (Which then gets people excited and then they come.)
There is a lot of work that none of us want to do or would love to skip on any given day. But I have found that if I have some tasks that are part of something I specifically want to build and create (whether or not anyone knows), all of a sudden I have a better, healthier and supportive perspective on “The Work.” Which we have to do anyway, so might as well make it enjoyable. Might as well make it supportive.
Doing my dishes is part of making sure I have the time I planned to write.
Planning out what I’m going to wear tomorrow gives me extra time in the morning to do my best work.
Thinking through my week means that I’m not exhausting myself before I get to interact with the ones I love most.
We get to do “The Work.”
Because:
“Before Enlightenment (or big supposedly life changing event or big goal we are going after) chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment (or big supposedly life changing event or big goal we are going after) chop wood, carry water”.