Working Life, Shaping Life

Working Life, Shaping Life

I have learned a lot about the meaning of the word, “work” throughout my life. I have done schoolwork, housework, and have participated in the work force as a paid employee. The most impactful thing I have learned from my work experience is that working shapes the way people live, from individuals to communities, to the globe. When I think about it, “work” means to me to exert physical or mental effort in order to do, make or accomplish something, or the function of completing a process or carrying out a task.

Now the more common definition of work would be that of a job, by which one is employed and paid or compensated in some way for one’s labors, or “work.” In this way the word has a slight negative connotation to it. The meaning has evolved to that which one must do, or needs to in order to survive more than that which one wants and desires to do. Yet most of us I some way or another choose to work for our living. The student earns a living by doing course work, the housewife or husband or professional housekeeper/nanny does house work

Linda Hogan story, “Waking Up the Rake”, begins with her as a child brushing her grandmother’s long cascade of hair. In this part of the story the task at hand to carry out, is the act of young Linda brushing her grandmother’s hair. She becomes ill and seeks the aid of a traditional healer. The healer has Linda practice the healing rituals of her people.

The next time I visited her it was a year later, and again we went through the same prayers, standing outside facing the early sun. On the last morning I was there she left for her job in town. Before leaving, she said, “Our work is our altar.” Those words have remained with me. Now I am a disciple of birds. (Hogan, 149)

This reminds me of when I was in 5th grade and I broke my arm one day at school. My mother rushed to meet me and bring me to the hospital. Before I left the school, the nurse felt my arm and declared it...