The Invisible Mentor

Posts Tagged ‘Fulfilling Work’

“Work is love made visible,” says Kahlil Gibran. Reflect on that quote again for a minute. Now read the poem Work below and reflect on it. What does the poem mean to you? What emotions do you feel? How do you feel about Gibran’s quote?

Work by Henry Van Dyke (1852–1933)

Let me but do my work from day to day,
In field or forest, at the desk or loom,
In roaring market-place or tranquil room;
Let me but find it in heart to say,
When vagrant wishes beckon me astray,
“This is my work; my blessing, not my doom;
Of all who live, I am the one by whom
This work can best be done in the right way.”

Then shall I see it not too great, nor small,
To suit my spirit and to prove my powers;
Then shall I cheerful greet the labouring hours,
And cheerful turn, when the long shadows fall
At eventide, to play and love and rest,
Because I know for me my work is best.

Now read and reflect on this quote by Henry Van Dyke ” Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.”

How can you relate the  two quotes to the poem? Are you doing what you love? Are you using your talents to the fullest? Is work “love made visible?” If you loved what you did for a living, would your life be more fulfilled? I am also asking myself  these questions. Think on these things!

Photo credit: Wikipedia, image of Gibran