Work?

   Going totally counter-intuitive here today. Isn't work something we all hate? Isn't work like a punishment? Didn't God tell Adam, "That's it, Buddy: no more free ride! From now on, in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground." ? (But don't be too mad at God; He later gave us The Weekend!) Work sucks, right?
   Of course, there are disagreeable aspects to any job. But jobs have to be done! And anyone who's ever been unemployed knows that working is a right and a privilege- may I say a blessing?  When payday comes around and you get that big, fat check (or that weeny little check), ain't it grand? And renumeration isn't the only positive about work. There are other benefits besides benefits!
   Learning new skills and understanding of how things are done is huge! To me, the sense of accomplishment when the Boss gives me an unreasonable amount of work to do in an unreasonable amount of time- and somehow I get it done - is very rewarding and brings a great personal satisfaction.  I love it when I see a huge pile of work go down, down, down and we finish it- sometimes ahead of schedule!
   When you're in middle management, and the people above you are telling you "This gotta get done" and the people below are telling you, "This can't be done" ,  and somehow you resolve it- man, you feel like the hero! It's a feeling I like!
   When you go to work, you meet new people, make new friends. Some really interesting characters! Yeah, there are jerks at work too; but guess what? At quittin' time you punch out, and leave them behind!  And the folks you work with can be a positive influence and encouragement in your life as well.
   My first job as a teenager was working in my brother Art's flea market stand in New Haven, CT. We sold fruits & vegetables he bought from a wholesaler. Not much money, but great experience! Since then, I've worked in a greenhouse or two, a screw machine shop (or two), a demolition crew, a homeless shelter, an eyeglass store, and finally where I am now with an aerospace company,  building gyroscopes. And my wife wonders why my fingers are all twisted and distorted? I have workin' man's hands! Gnarley, Dude!

AIS Holiday Party

   So many other things about work are cool: the commute, the camaraderie, the situations; bonuses, raises, promotions; shop picnics and Christmas parties, fund-raisers and community service opportunities; they are all the stuff we love about work!  Being the person people depend on and go to when there's a problem gives a sense of fulfillment in life.
   We were made to work. Food's not going to just walk up and say, "Here I am, eat me!" We earn it. And being "the Breadwinner", or provider for our families,  is another dignity work gives us. And any job you do, big or small, contributes to society as a whole. So work isn't just about what you get, but also about what you give. Your talents, knowledge, experience, skill, creativity, and intelligence are put to use not just for yourself, your familiy, your boss, or your customers, but for all of us.

CNA's rock!

    "In all labor there is profit" wrote Solomon.  And that profit isn't only financial. I've worked for  global mega-corporations, and I've also worked for small Mom & Pop enterprises.  Some places you feel like you're just a number, while in others you're part of a family.  Their success is your success.
   Bottom line, it's this amazing paradox that even though sometimes work is one of the things we hate about life, it's also one of the things we love about life.