Working too much?

There is a saying that goes something like this, "If you do what you love, you will never work a day in your life."

Whoever said this was not in the modern age.

But, if you consider the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, this saying is acurate and could, I repeat, could hold true.

If we find a career that fulfills our dharma, or our destiny, or that helps us to serve and work toward ending suffering, then what we do is our yoga practice. Our job/career becomes our path to self-realization/enlightenment. What we do on the mat or cushion brings us back to ourselves and reconnects us to the commitment to our path, but it is actually not the bulk of our "practice". How can it be? We only do "yoga" on our mats, a few times a week if we are lucky. We only sit a few minutes each day if we are commited and lucky. So, our real practice, our real yoga has to be worked out in the mine field, or mind field, of our work.

If the work we do is mundane or inane, we need to make a shift. We need to find work that serves a greater purpose in our lives.

If we have found amazing work, then we must use the bulk of our day to practice the true yoga, which is letting go, finding compassion, sharing in a tender hearted and determined way to improve the lives of those around us.

That is not to say that working 14 hour days at anything will not physically and emotionally exhaust you. That's when you create the moments to come back home, in other words, meditate. 5 minutes in your car before going into the office. 5 minutes, door closed at work to sit quietly. 5 minutes right before bed.

Shift your perspective. The time on your mat/cushion is truly a gift, so enjoy it when and if it comes. The time "working" is where you need all the skills of the warrior. Tender hearted. Compassionate. Honest. Kind.

There is no end to the abundance of kindness within you. Stay patient. Make kindness at work your practice.

On your cushion, breathe, relax, be grateful for the time to go inward and be receptive.

Enjoy your Fridays! TGIF!--Charry