Faith Matters

Sacred work: Celebrate spiritual aspects of life everyday

Celebrate spiritual aspects of job every day

Labor Day is coming in a week, and I wanted to take this opportunity to explore the concept of "sacred work." Labor Day was originally created to celebrate the labor movement, as well as to honor the accomplishments and contributions made to our country by workers in the labor unions. More recently, Labor Day -- like so many holidays -- has been commercialized with Labor Day sales, barbeques and beer. Somehow, the notion of work and its contribution to society has been lost.

In doing some research on Labor Day -- designated as the first Monday of September -- I discovered there used to be Labor Sunday -- the Sunday of Labor Day weekend -- dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement. A few churches still celebrate Labor Sunday, but it's not on most people's radar.

I believe all work has the potential to be sacred work, and I invite you to celebrate the spiritual aspects of work every day, not just on Labor Sunday or Labor Day. Many people in my travels and research have taught me that any kind of work can be seen as sacred if you choose.

Here are some of the elements that can integrate the sacred into work, whether it is paid work, volunteer work or work in the home. The first is to honor your connection to the divine through daily prayer, meditation or other spiritual practice. The second is to have a spirit of service in all that you do. The third is to get as clear as you can about what brings meaning and purpose to your life, and to do whatever is possible to align your work with what brings you meaning and purpose.

Here are some examples of people who have inspired me in the way they make their work sacred:

Maureen was the head of the copy center at the University of New Haven, where I worked as management professor. The copy center was in the basement of the main building of the university, and one had to go through a long dark hallway with heavy pipes overhead to get to her office. Nearly a hundred years ago, this building was an orphanage, and it is not difficult to feel the sadness and suffering that existed back then. However, once a visitor entered the doorway, Maureen would smile her big smile and make him feel very welcome. The copy center was filled with light, plants and stuffed animals. On the wall as one entered was a large bulletin board filled with photos of the three generations of her family. There were also inspirational poems and prayers posted. Maureen also kept a handwritten book of her favorite prayers on her desk to guide her through the day. To Maureen, every customer was a chance to bring a little light into someone's day. Her space was sacred space, and her work was an act of love. Everyone could feel the sense of spirit at work in her presence.

I met George through my friend Lars on a trip home to Hawaii to visit my family. George is the owner of a Kona coffee farm on the hills above Keahou on the Big Island of Hawaii. It was breathtaking to walk around the coffee plantation, with a view of the Pacific Ocean down the hill and palm trees blowing in the gentle wind. After the tour, Lars and I were invited in to have a cup of 100 percent Kona coffee. (Most Kona coffee sold commercially is only 10 percent Kona coffee.) While enjoying this amazing coffee and overlooking the beautiful even rows of coffee trees, I remarked, "Isn't it amazing what God has done here!" George looked at me sardonically and said, "Well he couldn't have done it without me." That's when I learned sacred work is a co-creation with God. George knew that and was strong in his sense of partnership with God. He knew God needed him as much as he needed God, and he took great joy in that relationship.

Robert is the chief executive officer of the largest food processing company in Canada and a devout Catholic. He goes to Mass every morning, wherever he is in the world. And every moment of every day, he is in conversation with his best friend Jesus. He has not only devoted his life to living by the teaching of Jesus, he has designed his company to be an exemplar of how to integrate spirituality and work. People from all over the world come to visit his company to learn how to implement the integrated spiritual management activities he and his team developed. Robert was inspired by a meeting with Mother Teresa. He turned his life over to God and turned his entire company over to God, literally. About three years ago, he created a foundation -- the "To God Go Foundation," which is funded by all of the profits of his company. The purpose of the foundation is to educate graduate students and business leaders on how to implement workplace spirituality. Robert is a man with a deep sense of calling and mission, and he aims to have every action and thought be in accordance with God's will.

Sacred work can be as simple as the job of the toll taker on the Golden Gate Bridge, who sincerely wished each driver a blessed day, or the greeter at Walmart, who enjoys welcoming customers and being of service. It can be as simple as having a Bible, a Book of Mormon or a Koran, in your desk drawer to turn to when you need inspiration. It can be as simple as taking a moment of silence before starting a meeting or saying a quiet prayer to yourself before entering a colleague's office.

As you celebrate Labor Sunday and Labor Day, I hope you will take some time to reflect on the ways in which your work is sacred and the ways you co-create with the transcendent.

NAN Religion on 08/27/2016

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