More from MLK / More on Work & Play

“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.’” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

What a fitting addition to my posts from earlier this year on working simply to earn a living versus loving the work you're doing. Wise words from a wise man these are...about taking pride in what one does and doing the best one can in everything. With this attitude, perhaps even work can resemble play. There is joy in effort. There is a lesson in each task. There is wisdom everywhere.

Today

Today begins a new semester at the university. I've been thinking so much about the work that I do, that we all do, and the saying that we are better off working to live rather than living to work. I've been thinking about SARK, the artist and writer, who says, "Do what you love, and the money will follow." I want to believe this is true. But will I be paid enough to help support a household by meditating, practicing and teaching yoga, and writing? I suppose, in the right circumstances, the answer could be a resounding YES! Now, to create those circumstances...

SARK's words stem from the popular belief that we create our own realities, set our own limitations, and manifest our dreams through the thoughts we think, the beliefs we hold. Acknowledging that the entire universe is connected, that one action can spark another far distant one, I do believe that how we approach the world is instrumental in the way the world will "respond" to us.

On the other hand, I'm also aware of the Buddhist thinking that everything we do, even scrubbing the bathtub or mowing the lawn, provides an opportunity for awareness and enlightenment. In that sense, doing what we love and making money for it really aren't even the point. The point is acceptance and equanimity, moment-by-moment mindfulness.

So can these two philosophies, the metaphysical and the Buddhist, be reconciled? Should they be?

Perhaps tomorrow I'll work on answering those questions. Today, though, I need to head to my yoga practice before making the trek to campus, where I will try to remain in the moment and grateful for work that pays the bills and just might be making a difference in the world.