The story that impressed upon me in this week’s reading was that of Thomas Carlyle. The writings of Carlyle echo those of John Burroughs, a man who also realized that work was a blessing and that the absence of work was wretchedness, dejection and despair (Watson, 1951). Many working people set their sights on the day when they no longer need to work, and I admit that I often do the same. Yet I am arrested by Carlyle’s statement: “A man perfects himself by working.” (Watson, 1951) Indeed as a leader I need to savour each moment I have been given to work, both for my own personal growth and for the benefit of those I lead, and plan to engage myself in meaningful activity once I leave the workplace.
As in the last series of readings I am struck not only by Carlyle’s inspired writings, but also by his background. Here is a man who persisted in finding his calling; he did not find it immediately. From the human viewpoint he had tried professions that would be associated with the highest calling – pastor, teacher – and was humble enough to change direction when he realized that he had made a mistake. Teaching and pastoring was not what he was called to do, no matter how noble those professions are. To some critics it likely appeared that he had “settled” on being a writer, but writing was his life’s work, and what he was intended to contribute to the world. As a leader I need to remember to be humble and admit when I mistakes, change direction when I need to, and not concern myself with what others consider prestigious or noble.
As I reflect on my own circumstances I am going to explore three of the many reasons why this story stands out above the rest. First, I have spent considerable time reflecting on the last 2 years on my own work as my calling. I had the opportunity to see John Bevere preach the message found in the attached video, and I am as moved and impacted today as I was years ago. Ironically, the second example in this video tells the story of one of this year’s Grade 12 graduates in our youth group. He feels the pressure of following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps to go into the ministry and become a pastor, but in spite of the pressure and others’ disappointment he has chosen to go to university to become an accountant. Similar to Carlyle he would not find fulfillment or happiness in the ministry. Despite the high calling that the ministry is, it will mean nothing in the end for this young man, or for any of us, if that is the path we take but it is not what we were meant to do. As a leader in this context I need to encourage these youth, the leaders of the next generation, to chase after and pursue their calling.
Second, I have a twenty year old daughter who is still wrestling with finding her destiny and her career. I am encouraged by Carlyle’s story because it reminds me that we don’t have to get it right the first time; if we are humble, we can always correct our course. I started with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology because I was going to be a doctor – I had to correct that course and become a physical therapist, which also meant that the years in my first degree were, from a humanistic point of view, a waste of time and money. Years later I am in an administrative position. I have had to correct my course, and my daughter(s) may yet have to make some course corrections. As a leader in my home I need to lead by example and influence my daughters to find their life purpose, even if it means changing course.
Third, I have personally experienced the detrimental and devastating effects of men (gender specific) not having meaningful work. Due to the personal nature of the situations I am not able to expound on this thought fully, but now have been personally affected by the lives of two men, both free from drug use for over a decade, succumb back to their drug addiction because of the depression, dejection and despair that comes with not having work. I have observed first hand the truth in Carlyle’s writing: “In idleness alone is there perpetual despair.” (Watson, 1951) As a leader I need to remember, and remind others, that work truly is a blessing, and that “labor is life”. (Watson, 1951)
How often do we dismiss from our minds that our work is truly a blessing? How often do we complain about having to go to work? Do we take the time to contemplate how work sharpens us, grows us, perfects us? I look forward to your thoughts.
References
MessengerTV. (2016, Nov 9) Called – John Bevere [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5jCQkK6Rs8
Watson, L. E. (1951). Light from Many Lamps. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, Inc.
I appreciate your reflections on Carlyle. It is easy in the thick of a busy season to forget that work sharpens us, grows us, perfects us. I too have witnessed people who retired too soon, got laid off, and agree with the quote “In idleness alone is there perpetual despair.” I think it is new days for women who have had careers while raising kids to adulthood. I don’t know of too many that ramp up careers, or change careers at this stage. You are a great example starting this Masters. Millennials think it’s crazy to work long hours in jobs that they might not love or have meaning, don’t want to buy homes with mortgages, are wary about pensions. It is different days all around. Interesting for companies that are hiring young graduates, they feel it necessary to entice them to stay with onsite free cafeterias, recreation rooms, beer Fridays, social events. Do you think all experience could be part of a journey to find one’s life purpose? Could one’s life purpose be lived out in different ways not necessarily through a job?
Thank you for the thoughts, and great questions. I am not going to provide a very academic reply, but rather based on my personal experience. I do think that all of my experience has played a role in this journey to find life purpose – and even in my “middle age” I am not certain that I have reached the end of that journey. Certainly being a mother, being a youth leader, investing time and resources into educating young adults previously living in the orphanage in Kenya so that they can break the cycle of poverty and invest in others has all been a part of this journey and has arguably made me a much better employee/middle manager. In answer to your second question I think that some women are called to be mothers and raise the next generation of leaders. That is their life purpose. Society would not call that a job, may not even consider it a “life purpose” but I believe that it is. The other example that immediately jumps to mind is Mother Teresa whose impact and legacy on the world really wasn’t her “job”, but it was her life purpose.
Once again, I loved reading your post! Thank you for sharing your story and how sometimes the path we start out on isn’t the one we eventually end up on. I think it is important for us to reassure our children and graduating students that not only is it okay to change direction from time to time, it’s all part of our journey to find our true calling. A lot of my Grade 12’s genuinely have no idea what it is they want to do, not because they are unmotivated, there are just so many opportunities available they have a fear of “settling” or missing out on something even better. This fear of the unknown causes great anxiety and can even be crippling at times.
I love my job, without a doubt, it is my life’s vocation, my calling. Even when I factor in the really tough days, there is no place that I would rather be. Your questions are so relevant and we all need reminders that our work really is a blessing.
Thank you for all that you do to help others. It is inspiring to me.
I can tell that you love your job – in fact, I contemplated using a quote from one of your other posts for this assignment. You mentioned about working with special needs kids, and I have no doubt that for as many days that are absolutely rewarding you have just as many days that are discouraging and full of tears. I agree that we need to encourage our young people not to be afraid to take that first step. I also think that we need to teach our young people resiliency and perseverance – and then model that behaviour. There is no job that is all “sunshine and lollipops” and any meaningful work is going to have challenges. There is no victory without a fight!