I had to bring some work home tonight. I don't have to buy into the view that this is by necessity stressful or upsetting. I don't have to think that it implies resentment or complaining, rote or heartfelt. I'm not a hairy mess and I don't wish to be. When seen from certain angles, those things--stress, resentment, complaining, being a hairy mess--even look repulsive.
Completion of duty is its own reward. Virtue is its own reward.
One might even go further. About eight years ago, someone said to me, "I love walking around the city. Everywhere, you can see the result of people's effort. People's effort is beautiful." Those were really refreshing words. (Plus, having extra work to do might sometimes be an endorsement of one's reliability and skill. They could have chosen someone else, but they didn't. They chose you.)
Of course, it would be distinctly unwise to be showy about possessing these views. I think it is possible to be (1) affable, friendly, and easy to get along with; (2) committed to duty; and (3) not showy about being committed to duty nor participating in a culture of rote complaining.
Now I'm going to put on some music I like and get to work. Whoever you are and wherever you are, I hope you have an unstressful, productive day!
No comments:
Post a Comment