My eyes welled up with tears a few minutes ago when I was reading Bill Jensen's book What is your life's work?. The book is filled with letters to loved ones - gathered from all over - about what is important. Jensen helps you get in touch with your deepest passions.
After reading a number of the letters - which all begin with "work:" and then a short description of what each writer feels is his/her life work - I spontaneously gave words to my life's work. I said (aloud, I think?): "My work is connection - using the 'tools' of grace and humor".
That is when I got tears in my eyes. I know the power of being seen and heard by others - but it was interesting to have that same deep feeling about seeing and hearing myself as I said words that could seem pretty obvious (and that I've spoken in different ways many times).
I didn't have much time to explore that interesting feeling though. Because the next thing I did was underestimate my girth while reaching to turn off the space heater*, thereby knocking a full cup of coffee off the side of the tub and onto my fluffy white towells - and the newly painted walls - and the toilet and sink - and some books . Ooooh, I was so screamingmadpissed!
*Don't scold me, my arm was dry - well, until the coffee fell - and the heater is plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter!
I think it was Woody Allen who said, "My goal in life is to find out what my goal in life is." Which pretty much describes me to a "T". So "What is your life's work?" sounds like a great book for me to read!
Posted by: Square Peg Guy | Tuesday, 09 December 2008 at 12:58 PM
i loved this post.
i love that you heard yourself.
what a great way to say that.
headin' out for a walk....gonna take
that thought with me....
thanks, kar!
Posted by: terri | Friday, 12 December 2008 at 06:41 AM