Member-only story
Guilt About Not “Doing”
Unpacking decades, even generations, of misconceptions around work
What is work? Why do we work? Why do we work as we work? What is the motivating force behind it? These questions and more, I have been wrestling with as I move into a new phase of my life. It’s been a tricky bitch, to be sure.
Context: I have been lucky enough, in my life, to have been loved. People have been good to me, overall. Other than my romantic relationships, people generally accept or at the very least, like me. I have received gifts from people who were perfect strangers at the end of retreats I facilitated or trainings I have led. I have received sweet notes from people in the congregation at church, cards in the mail, and even a poem or two, written about what they see in me. Those were special moments.
But, I was always a “giver” as well. I woke up early to make bread for my dad’s church meetings, and gave my musical talent willingly and happily to the community at large, performing, for free, all through my childhood and into adulthood. I volunteered for the Boy Scouts for decades and for the 4-H organization as well. That is saying nothing about First Robotics, the local ballet, and the kids’ sports teams. I formed a music school at our local YMCA to reach less privileged people. And it has worked.
