Repetitive Self-Combustion

Quote:   Fires can't be made with dead embers, nor can enthusiasm be stirred by spiritless men. Enthusiasm in our daily work lightens effort and turns even labor into pleasant tasks. -- James Baldwin 

Perspective:  When I was in college I worked as a salaried, 25 cents over minimum wage, worker.  Although if you asked me back then, I was a professional stylist who thrived at an upscale merchant on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.  What??!!!  Yes that was me!! I was so happy to have an adult job!!! I wasn’t a camp counselor or babysitter. I had to wear suits and pantyhose and high heels like any other career women.  I was crossing the threshold to be an adult. 

I was the quintessential, perky worker.  I didn’t just sell to customers – I collaborated with clients. I consistently got great reviews of my work and was soooooooooo cheerful!  Yes me, the pessimistic South Bronx girl loved loved this job!!  Then reality set in.  I actually started looking at my payroll checks and how they weren’t getting any larger.  I got so depressed.  Within 18 months my department went from one of the best on the floor to the next to last in sales.  I despised the commute, my co-workers, and yes especially the customers. 

How did they inject vigor in to me? They consistently threatened to fire me. I got better for a month, then I went right back to my malaise and apathy.  I quit before my 3^rd year anniversary and before another dreaded holiday season.   

James Baldwin’s quote talks about enthusiasm in my daily work.   Not just the 9-5 drudgery but in the run of the mill, mundane, routine type tasks.  I’m washing the dishes, changing diapers, reading email, buying gas, or drinking water with little fervor.  How happy and grateful can I be to have a roof over my head, have children, have a computer/smartphone, have a car, or have running clean water?  How happy and grateful can I be to have integrity, intelligence, wit, beauty, and intimacy with God?  

Call to Action:  You’ve just finished a triathlon (2 mile swim, 100 mile bicycle ride, 26,2 mile marathon run) in record time.  What are you grateful for right now?