day 595: Happy Is

Let's face it, being happy at work and happy in our work comes and goes. Sure, there are times of stretched happiness but there are also times when we are not happy with what we are doing, or where we are doing it, or with whom we are doing it with. At these times we can get in a funk and and we can let our emotions get the best of us and if we are not careful we can spiral into forgetting the things that we really like about our jobs, our co-workers, and our company. So, how do we ensure that we are receiving the fullest happiness from our work? The answer lies not in what we do, but instead in how we do it. Haven't we all marveled at some point or another about the person who is so happy doing the most menial of jobs? And if we are honest with ourselves we have probably wished for a bit of that simplicity and a lot of that happiness. What we are really amazed by is the happiness that can come from "how" we do the work, regardless of what that work is or will be. If we were to return to the days of when we first started to work and think about how each and every day was filled with something new to learn and something new to master then we would remember that it really was about how we did those jobs not what those jobs were. David gives us a peek into what can bring happiness to how we work and conduct ourselves. In Psalm 119 he says, "Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the Lord." Happy is living, and therefore working, with integrity that supersedes all of the office politics, or the career missteps, or the bad boss, or the failing company. Happy is knowing that what we do, we do with the highest of integrity and in a way that models and is an example to others. Think today about where in your work you can up your integrity in "how" you are working. What you will find is that when you do that your happiness, about your work, can only increase.

Reference: Psalm 119:1 (New Living Testament)

day 36: C'mon, Get Happy!

Bobby McFerrin sang, "Don't worry, be happy!". That song became a huge hit because it struck the chord we all want to have inside of us; no worry and all happiness. Well, isn't that what we are supposed to be allowing our faith to generate? So, why is it that we can feel this way with a number parts of our lives but when it comes to work, it is just the opposite; "Worry, don't be happy"? Sure, we want our work to be enjoyable and we want to find joy in it, but as we have discussed before, work was not given to us originally as a gift (thanks Adam), but that doesn't mean that we can't and shouldn't strive to find happiness in how we put our talents to use to build, sell, market, support, or create. That happiness is within reach and we will feel more fulfilled and whole at our jobs if we can find that chord. After Solomon had gotten done telling us in Ecclesiastes how questionable work was, he goes on to tell us in Chapter 3:22; "So I say that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is why they are here! No one will bring them back from death to enjoy life in the future". I find these words inspiring. I also take these words to make me want to change my attitude on the rough and tumble days. I also know these words to be true as many a family or relationship falls apart at home because someone is unhappy at work and they carry that unhappiness and frustration that comes with it back into the household. As much as the consultants teach, "check the office at the door", it is so much easier said than done. Maybe it is a set of small and surmountable frustrations at work that are keeping you from being happy. Today would be the day to take the serenity prayer to work with you. Go after changing those things that are burrs under the saddle that you can change, and just let go the other stuff that is above your pay grade or out of your sphere of influence. You can't change it all overnight, but start today with a little change. Enough of these and they will add up and happiness might sneak back into your cubicle.


Reference: Ecclesiastes 3:22 (New Living Testament)