Work is love made visible.

Khalil Gibran wrote that in 1923 in The Prophet (makes a lovely gift).

He also wrote:

And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy.

For if you bake bread with indifference, you bake a bitter bread that feeds but half man’s hunger.

And if you grudge the crushing of the grapes, your grudge distils a poison in the wine.

I thought about this on Friday, when were at Downtown Disney for an elementary school chorus performance. Actually, every field trip I go on as a chaperone, I am astounded at how poorly the destination staff performs when it comes to managing groups of children.

Moreover, it seems that the more likely they are to host school groups, the worse they are it. The prize for Worst-Ever has to go to the Orlando Science Center. But I digress…

I suppose what really bothers me is the apathy. Many times, a teacher, chaperone or myself will approach one of the staff and ask how much later will we be starting, if we could go ahead and move the kids into their seats, if we could open up another line, or something. The response we get runs the gamut between “don’t care” and “can’t be bothered.”

I thought on this and realized that it isn’t limited to people that work with kids. I see it everywhere. Instead of doing the best they can, most people seem to do the least they must.

I never understood this, personally. I don’t have a particularly strong work ethic, personally; and it was even worse when I was younger. I do try to do my best, though, at every job that I am given.

The irony is that it makes your job both eaiser and more enjoyable. Your customers appreciate it. Your bosses are happier. It almost seems like a no-brainer.

I know it’s hard to be excited about working at WacArnold’s, but the next time you’re feeling down or lackadaisacal about your employment, try this:

Make someone’s day.

First of all, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is. Give your customer the cup holder without asking (and put the cups in it for them). When someone calls in to your 1-800 service number, rather than try to get them off of the phone, really try to solve their problem.

Secondly, you’ll be surprised by how warm appreciation feels. When’s the last time someone went out of their way to help you? How did that feel? That feeling is contagious.

Finally, you’ll go further. Promotions and raises will come faster. You’ll move on to bigger and better things more easily. You’ll earn more of both money and respect.

And as a bonus, you’ll bring more love into the world.