I have started a new hobby, recycling wood from an old grain elevator into furniture and crafts. Its not really a hobby yet as I have completed only one piece. Also for something to be called a hobby surely there has to be some passion, which right now I can’t claim. I like the idea of woodworking for a hobby, I like the idea of learning but do worry after making an investment of time and money I will wish to do something else. So for now I will more accurately describe this new found activity as merely something that occupies my time. The wood for this latest craft is actually from an old building where I once worked, now sawn to small pieces glued back together and fashioned into something that will soon be supporting my passions or real hobbies; Coffee, games, and books. There has to be a lesson or analogy in that turn of events.
Like most of you work for me has been that required thing that supported the rest of my life. For me it started with that first car, those first albums, and those first dates. I traded my hours, my time, for these things indirectly. Giving time to my first boss for a minimum wage which I exchanged for my passions of the day. You know those things every teenager has to have; that VW Bug, the latest Crosby, Stills, & Nash eight track, and of course for those shared fries at A & W Sunday after church with that special someone.
As I grew into a young parent my passions became more expensive and sometimes the long days that stole time from family were exchanged for diapers, housing, and food for a growing family. Those seemed of greater urgency and value than the time I forfeited. So I exchanged time for necessities, which were also by default becoming latest passions. My needs were my passions not my work. I was still much like that teenager exchanging earnings for stuff I had to have. Cars and music were always a part of those must haves and I still found enough value in sharing fries that even when other luxuries were scarce I would buy fries for a loved one and steal more than my share.
Now as an old man learning new skills for a hobby I am quickly realizing something I missed early in life. I was taught that work done well is worthy of respect, and financial reward from that work can be exchanged for a passion. I am learning late in life that all work; from mine of grain trading to that of Stephen Stills is or can be an art worthy of passion. Actor, playwright, chemist, janitor, computer programmer, plumber and every other job you can exchange hours for things you are passionate about or you can love the work itself. Life is sweeter, the work lighter, and a fairer exchange for your labor takes place when you can be passionate about what you are doing for a living.
I have been rewarded over the years for my work, but I have never “loved my work” and have always wished for something different, something better and more grand. I would have loved to be a major league baseball player, a high paid movie star, or as I once thought a Doctor. To do those things you have to endure practice, rejection, or years of schooling and I didn’t love those jobs enough to do that.
God knowing of the frustrations his work would cause, knowing of the future disappointments in his work, in spite of the cost he would later pay, he went to work anyway; creating and saying of his work “its good”. Why does God love us? Scripture says its not because of something we have done. I think it is that we are simply his work, his creation. He made the necessary sacrifices demonstrating his love for his work. God loved his work, and is passionate about it. That is something worthy of imitation. In some ways we are likely more of a hobby not really rewarding the laborer very highly, likely not offering God much more than minimum wage.
As I look at my new potential hobby I wonder is it a just a wish or is it something I could learn to love. Am I willing to forfeit time, and as with many carpenters risk a digit or two as I develop my skills and satisfaction? Can I learn to love this new found activity, and to love my creations? Even if they don’t measure up to my expectations can I love the creation solely because I loved the work?
as for real career advice Steven Stills was telling me years ago through that stereo in my VW Bug all I needed to know about life’s labors, and finding a passion for my life’s work.
“If you can’t be with the one you love honey, love the one you’re with”
Choose to love your work.
Well if nothing else, how fitting that my latest work, building a coffee table, will be again be supporting my passions…. Books, games and of course, coffee.
David
