Work Worth Doing

I recently read an excellent book called Atlas Shrugged. In it, there's a very interesting comment made by onf of the characters. Two CEO's are talking about a business deal, and at the close of arranging it, one comments to the other that the press and society look down on them because their only goal is to make money, that thy don't have any spiritual goals, or real interests outside of work. Their work is their main interest in life. They aren't sad about it, but society seems to think it's wrong or warped. Another place in the book, one character asks another "Who is the most despicable kind of man?" He answers, "A man without a purpose."
Usually it's not easy to see our purpose in life. For me, sometimes it's not even easy to follow through on small goals or improvements, much less a broader vision. But lately, I've had a glimpse of what it might mean o live a life of purpose and vision. Or maybe that language is too strong, maybe Teddy Roosevelt said it better, "Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." These past few weeks, we've been losing ourselves in work worth doing, and loving it!
The school my In-Laws have established and developed is a beautiful place, I am so impressed by what they have built. Now it's a wonderful experience we get to have as a family as we try to work in it and help it grow. Emmanuel has amazing vision and clarity of thought, I am so impressed with how he work through the daily challenges that are brought to him without losing that vision. I am really seeing his education (both in school and in work) come into play as he shares management and analysis strategies with both family members and employees. Right now I don't really have a job title, but I get a front seat view to see how he tackles challenges as well as try hard to make things easier for him when I can. Righ now I'm also studying Montessori theory and working with Mum to improve the infant school. Right now Dante is enjoying school, and even Iris spends a little time in class with him  every day. It's a very nice arrangement, working at building something we love, and having our children close by. Having Dante in the classroom is very motivating to me to make the school the best I can as well. I still feel the tug at my heart, wishing it could be just him and me at home, but now I tell myself if I can make this a nurturing environment it'll be better for more than just my children.

All around us I see people who are living day to day. I know I used to think I lived day to day back in the States, but here I see it in a stark extreme. Little shops that are struggling to eck out enough profit for the day, youth who want a dollar to buy their lunch, literally living hand to mouth. I didn't really like living that way when it meant I had to wash the dishes every night, let alone start over from scratch every single morning. Here I can see that unless a person moves beyond being OK with hand to mouth living, not only will they not be able to evolve forward, they won't be able to maintain any progress someone else makes for them. I wish I could open their eyes to what joy it is to work at something bigger than yourself, something that will last longer than you.     
 
Funny family update: Lately our story book of choice is Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling, Dante is always asking for either the Elephants Child, the Kangaroo and Dingo, or the Humph! I love these stories too so I haven't minded reading them over and over again. Now we've read the Elephant's child so much, Iris is joining in. She loves the word "Limpopo" and will chime in "Popo! Popo!" every time I read it. Now, whenever I start saying, "The banks of the great, gray-green, greasy..." She finishes the phrases. I love it.