My spouse and I have been working part time for some time now. We did not choose our work situations and they are not ideal. However, working part time has given me another perspective from which to view the work ethic of the people around me, and I can say that we are very busy people.
If you ask someone, ‘how are you’ or ‘what have you been doing’, they most likely will say how busy they are. Almost no one responds, ‘I’ve just been relaxing’ or ‘spending time with family and friends.’ The response I usually hear is about how busy the person is; and it usually sounds as if they are bragging about being so busy – albeit, the bragging is often disguised as a complaint. We are a people who view busy-ness as a virtue. This should come as no surprise, after all the Puritans viewed work as a virtue and it was their religion and culture that was the springboard for our American way of life.
Yet, I have to wonder if all this busy-ness is what God had in mind when we were created. I wonder if all that busy-ness is sometimes something that we do to give our lives purpose and meaning. Since my spouse and I have been relegated to part time work status I have noticed that when I allow things to slow down, my body and mind respond accordingly. I have found that it is truly a blessing to work in the garden and watch tomatoes appear, grow and mature. I have found that painting a picture or taking photographs have made me more in tune with the creation that God has surrounded us. I have also found that when my partner and I spend relaxed time together that our bond is stronger and our relationship with each other and with God, grows and deepens. Remember, God, created work as a punishment and it was the Puritans who turned it into a virtue.
Heavenly Creator: Slow me down, help focus on the important things in this life, the things that you have given me. Keep me grounded to your creation so that I can see you in it and find my meaning and purpose in you.
When I was in college as an undergraduate (and even in my graduate days) I was always busy. I was president of this organization, on this club team, and a regular attendee in this other group. But I had to walk to each event and activity. Usually fairly far enough that I had 15-20 minutes to myself. I often had my Walkman (that had the greatest feature, the tape head would flip automatically when you got to the end of the tap!) and my tunes, but otherwise it was simply time to think. Today I have my iPhone and when I walk about campus I am ashamed to admit that I am often checking mail or talking to someone on the phone.
“Why are we such poor listeners? Today one of the major reasons is that we are so busy. Our busyness substitutes frenzy for conversation and wrecks our relationships. It fills our calendars and empties our lives of the ability to listen to anything that turns us away from our little gods.” ( Hughes , 64).
I love this post. I wish I could afford to work part-time and REALLY enjoy life more.
I wish we could afford to work part time too. lol. We are both looking for full time employment. But being part time has allowed me to view things from another perspective… I’m honored that the post moved you.
That was beautiful…and true we aren’t so caught up in everything around us and can see more beauty in everything and “everyone”. Love You much, Audrey
Thanks for letting me know that the post was meaningful for you. Easy does it.