The true nature of work

I recently met a most gifted pianist, David Osborne, who was playing at the Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. I was there for dinner, and was captivated by the beauty and joy in his interpretation of some of my favourite songs. I went up to him to enquire about his CDs for I knew that I wanted his music in my collection. He greeted me, shook my hand, had a conversation with me and did the same with my friends – all the while not missing a note, nor a beat in the songs he was playing.

As I listened to his CDs today, it occurred to me that playing like that must come straight from his heart. That he could play while doing other things demonstrated to me how much his music, his work, is his core. It’s like breathing – think about all the things we do while breathing – without missing a breath or thinking about it!

What a delight to be in a place where what you do for a living is your expression of your God-within or your higher Self. For when you do that, then work is no longer work; and effort is effortless – your service simply flows from your heart to all. When you are in this place, you care not who cares – you simply give. It is evident that David plays for the joy of playing – caring not who hears, likes it, doesn’t like it, etc.. Anyone who pays him compliments or buys his CDs is simply extra, or “brawta” as we say in Jamaica. His work is fulfillment in and of itself.

I believe this is what we are all meant to do, by opening to our own way of serving the Universe. This is our work. When our work comes from our core, when it becomes second nature, as automatic, mindless and effortless as breathing, then we open to the joy of BEING our work. Kahlil Gibran was right when he said “Work is love made visible” – love is the true nature of work.