"History is governed by those overarching movements that give shape and meaning to life by relating the human venture to the larger destinies of the universe…The Great Work now, as we move into a new millennium, is to carry out the transition from a period of human devastation of the Earth to a period when humans would be present to the planet in a mutually beneficial manner." Thomas Berry, The Great Work "And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done." Genesis 2:2 God made a freakin' universe. I want to make something as awesome as that! I lost my job last fall, and joined tens of millions of Americans currently "unemployed" in the One of the thoughts that continues to pop into my head is that "work" is synonymous with "survival" in our current world. "In the morning, we do our work. The rest of the day, we make things." These are the words of an indigenous African woman whom Matt Fox has often quoted in his writing and his talks. My dad had a similar saying: "There's a time for work, and a time for play." But it didn't take long in this culture before training for work, applying for work, getting to work, doing my work and keeping my job began to take up all my time. It's taken losing my job to remind me that "work" is not the same as "life" or "living". There are activities that communities must perform in order to function effectively, and to survive. For indigenous people, these activities do not so consume the time and energy of people so as to detract from anyone's opportunity to "make things". The hidden truth is that in "making things", humans discover the joy of living. Consider the "things" you "make", or that you've "made". Were you the school girl who "made the grade" (or didn't "make the grade")? Or the young soccer forward who "made the goal". Maybe you're the preacher who effectively "made his point". How about the salesman or the cop who "made his quota"? Or the reporter who "made his deadline". I know the socially responsible guy who asks himself regularly, "Did I make any difference today?" I try to remember to ask myself this question daily: "Did I make anything … anything at all … today?" What do geocosmystics "make"? What is the "Great Work" of Geocosmysticism? |
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Work: Round #1
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For years, my work was an exercise in futility most of the time. I contented myself with the feeling that I did my job in such a way that I helped to make my coworkers safer, and I made possible the future I am now living via my State Employee retirement. Now, each day I go to "work" at my new job, I get to make smiles. I make people feel involved. I like to think that the work we do educating people about the oceans and the creatures who live there makes the world a little better. BTW, I know its a long drive and not much money, but we're hiring ;-)
ReplyDeleteWB63 - thanks for the lead! I've smiled as you led us among your ocean friends, and I would number yours among the Great Works being done these days. Can't wait to wander in [geocos] Mystic again soon!
ReplyDeleteHmmm...."what do Geocosmystics make?" you ask.
ReplyDeleteI believe we make things shift, change, grow, expand, evolve. We make Magic. We ask that people perceive life on new, never-before-thought-of, levels. We challenge, ourselves and others, to go with-in and ferret out that which keeps us from our Joy, to be more than any of us imagined. We work to raise a new generation of free thinkers that know they have impact and can make a difference in the world. We understand that all we see around us IS us. We challenge each other to pursue our Passions and to Create, to leap with out fear and to have Faith in ourselves and the Universe. We love with abandon, we inspire loyalty, we offer friendship and support. We give freely of our hearts and time and knowledge. We educate, we inspire, we learn and we laugh. We eat, we drink, we plan, we debate, and then we laugh some more. We give our unconditional love to each other, and to this Great Mother, our Earth. We walk our talks. We speak our minds and honor others doing the same. We understand that we have impact and WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE. We understand that our lives and Happiness are our responsibility and create those accordingly. I could go on...and on, but I won't.
I know I try each day to give something of myself, to someone, with no expectation of return from them. The return is in the Joy it brings me to give of myself, to be of service. This is not always the most profitable way to do things, but I have learned long ago to detach from that consumer like mind set and the need to be rich, accepted or fit in. I know why I am here and it is not for that. Don't get me wrong. I love money (being rich would be fun!) and it is a necessity, but has never made my soul sing. I myself, prefer the singing...and so every day I make sure that I make a positive impact somewhere, somehow. I challenge all who read to do the same.
What is my great work? This Life is my great work, and it is not near done yet so stay tuned!! :o)
I love the phrase "make Magic", and I think it's what that quote in the beginning of my original post is about. "Making a difference" in a reverent, respectful way. Making others sit up and take notice; making such beauty that it takes your breath away; making the dead return to life. The power of transformation. Within the Creation Spirituality tradition's four paths of the divine, it is the "Via Transformativa", the springtime, the season of Spirit's wild movement in hearts, minds and Earth, awakening what has been sleeping, celebrating the budding of trees and rutting of deer. I read that vitality in your words, Shalinia. Make Mega-Magic!
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