Recognize that hard work is good

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It comes to me in a car dealership.  It sounds strange, but that’s when the thought hits me.  You see, I love to observe people and watch the way they act when they think nobody else is watching.  Each time I observe I see something different. Sometimes I get depressed, saddened and angered by what I see. However, sometimes it brings a joy that either makes me smile or get a warm feeling inside. Other times I’m envious and sometimes I’m just plain thankful.  At this moment I feel inspired because I see the good in hard work.

Observing that hard work is good

I’m observing two workers doing two different jobs in front of me.  I see the attention to detail and the quiet pride they take in their work.  I love to see people working diligently and with pride.  It doesn’t matter what the task is, if it is big or small, important or seemingly insignificant, for the praise of others or unnoticed and behind the scenes.  I think what matters is that the job is done with pride in the work itself.  Every job makes a difference when put together for the whole that it creates. 

Hard work at a car dealership

Take the guy in front of me cleaning the fish tank at the car dealership.  He is working with concentration and an occasional smile on his face as he looks up at the people in the waiting area.  Carefully cleaning every inch of the fish tank so that men, women and impatient children have a more pleasant view.  As a result, his job matters and it makes a difference.   

Another man, just beyond the glass, is polishing the new cars that are for sale.  I see him through the glass and watch how meticulously he works as he cleans and polishes the car.  He’s working hard and is unaware or uninterested in the people watching him. Meanwhile, I am inspired by his attention to detail and the cars are sparkling and more appealing to customers.

Hard work in the cafeteria

On a weekly basis I observe the lunch server and cook at our work cafeteria.  She has been here for many years, day in and day out at the same job, doing the same thing.  What I love is that every time I walk through that cafeteria she has a smile on her face! She is singing along with the music or raving about the special she’s cooked that day and telling people why they’ve got to try it.  I love that she works hard and takes so much pride in her job. Because of this, she not only finds a way to be joyful about it but to also bring other people joy.

These things are good – working hard, finding joy in your work and having pride in the work you do.  These people are good – sharing joy to the people around them by working with a smile.  Hard work is good – it is on display all around us if we choose to notice it.  Give hard work and a good work ethic the recognition that it deserves – as something that adds joy to our lives.

Challenge for this week:

1. Find joy in the work you do.  Whether outside the home or in, try to enjoy your work and concentrate on the good that you are doing. 
2. Choose to see the good in someone working around you.  Notice people who are happy and enjoying their work, people who are working hard without complaining and those who take pride in their work. 
3. Take time to remember the role your work plays.  Every job has worth and contributes to something bigger….spend time reflecting on that.