Put forth effort ... make a contribution

I own one business with two locations. I love what I do, but that does not translate to, "I don't work". I have heard the phrase, "If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life". Well ... I understand the sentiment, but the statement implies that work is a bad thing; or that if you feel like you are working, then you must not really love what you do for a living. Hmm ... I love what I do. I am a business owner, a teacher, mentor, administrator, retreat leader, curriculum developer, cook, cleaner, and cheerleader. I shop for beautiful candles, exotic incense, intricately created mala beads, special books, and toilet paper. I meet interesting people everyday, I travel and study with amazing teachers and share what I learn, and I pay the water, electric, and internet bills, rent, and insurance premiums. It is also my job to compensate teachers, file taxes on time, and make sure there are plenty of candles, matches and New Student Forms at both locations. Oh, and I teach yoga classes : )

I work full time; I love what I do and I love that I work. I love that I put forth effort to create and develop and collaborate in order to contribute to helping make the world a better place. Why has work become, to some, a negative? The Yoga Sutras (1.21) tell us that our success is dependent upon the intensity of our practice. Yoga is a way of living. Yoga is not an exercise class that you "take" two or three times a week. If we are to live yoga, and respect the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali as a manual for living, then we need to pay attention to the message and apply it to all aspects of our day to day living. It feels good to know that I have put forth effort into all the things that need my attention. As a result, I have balance and a sense of accomplishment each day of my life.