The Wonder of Work

“People need work almost as much as they need food,” said an unknown author. “Lack of work causes drudgery and discontent. To enjoy working is part of growing up,… If you didn’t work, what could you do with yourself? Would you like to join the idle rich? They are the most bored and empty people on earth.” This is true, not only of the idle rich, but also of the idle poor⎯the idle anyone. “We need to work to absorb our mental and physical energies. We also need work to balance our lives.” Often, “… our homes don’t develop the habit of work,” said William Carlson. “Our children are relieved [too much] of responsibilities…. Work is partly a matter of habit… [and] we must [teach] the fundamental truth that [pleasures] if not earned, are neither profound nor lasting.” Our young people need to “feel the… personal [satisfactions] earned by sustained effort.” Youth must learn what those who are older should have learned: that unless they move forward, using their full powers, stretching, and extending themselves, they will stagnate and life will be much less. The law of work is the law of life. It is a law that is God-given, and over-emphasizing leisure and freedom from work leads to waste, unhappiness, discontent, and listlessness of life. “You just can’t be miserable,” said Dr. Orlando Battista, “as long as you are properly and enjoyably busy; there is no room for misery…. Work is the best wonder drug ever devised by God.” Besides the world wouldn’t run without it. Life wouldn’t be happy without work. And finally there is this interesting thought to think of: It may feel good to quit work⎯but remember this⎯if you’re not working you can’t quit.