Finding Joy in Work

I like to work. I really do.

I’m not talking about doing menial, mindless tasks just for the sake of staying busy; or putting in my time for a paycheck. Those are chores.

I don’t enjoy chores. When I can help it, I don’t do chores.

What I mean is good old fashioned hard work that gets a job done – a job that is worth doing. Whether it tests my brain, or my back, or my lungs (or all three) – if it’s got a purpose I believe in, then working toward that purpose is joy to me.

Some of my favorite memories from my youth include working side-by-side with my dad. From odd jobs around the house to side jobs for friends to service projects for neighbors, I learned a lot about how to fix stuff and organize things – and I learned that sometimes you just have to put your head down and get it done.

I fondly recall Easter weekend of 1982, roofing my grandfather’s house under a sweltering Las Vegas sun with my Uncle Jim, seemingly taking a gulp of water for every swing of the hammer. Jim could work hard all day. It was a great lesson for a 14-year-old kid – and enjoyable both to work hard with my uncle and to be considered a man for doing man’s work.

I spent a lot of hours over the years building stuff and learning from my dad and my Uncle Jim, and many others who taught me – lessons that I still apply both in my profession and in serving my family and others.

Since our move here, I’ve enjoyed working alongside my wife and kids on home improvements and maintenance. My wife and I have spent a lot of quality time together, talking and dreaming and designing and scheming. The kids haven’t always liked the process (it’s those pesky little details that take so much time), but they always like the results.

Besides the sense of accomplishment (and how soundly I sleep) when a job is done and done well, I also love the extras that come from working: having a sense of purpose, learning something new, the feeling of accomplishment when it’s done.

I love that it often means treats – burgers or brownies when you take a break during the day, or a Slurpee when you’re done (I especially love getting to buy them for my kids now). I have often worked for food.

The best perk is when I get to work with someone I care about. Focusing on the job at hand tends to strip away distractions, so we are able to focus on the work and each other. A lot of my most memorable and meaningful interactions with family and friends have come while working.

Last weekend while I was on travel, I was able to take a couple days and help my close friends move into a new house. For some, that would qualify as a chore. My friends, in fact, apologized for moving on the weekend I was there, rather than planning something fun for my visit.

But despite two very full days of working hard (with my mind, back, and lungs), the weekend was perfect (and fun).

I don’t get to see these friends much anymore (2,500 miles between us limits regular visits), so we do our best to keep in touch. We do ok, but I miss them tremendously.

During our two days of moving there were few distractions. We talked, laughed, dreamed, and schemed all weekend. I got to share their enthusiasm over their new home (which certainly warrants enthusiasm) while sharing many great memories from the old house. I played tag and volleyball with the kids in their new back yard. I helped lift stuff, move stuff, fix stuff, clean stuff, and change stuff. I listened as they described their vision for the new place – in my mind, I could see it.

I got more familiar with vinegar than I ever expected.

I got treats (fish tacos!).

We talked a lot about how great it will be when my whole family is able to visit with them in their new house one of these days. I can't wait.

Of all the things we could have done together on a Las Vegas weekend, nothing could have replaced the joy of working together. I’ll remember it forever. I hope another project calls me their way sometime soon.

And now that I’m home, my family and I are plotting our next projects, so we can work together. I’ll bring the treats.