Great read! I have been thinking about the value our society puts on hard work now for many years. My young self remembers thinking that the more strenuous a job was the less money one made. For me those were always the jobs I chose. Being in nature and sweating was my heaven. I did eventually find a job that paid more than minimum wage and helped me provide for my family. I am now 67 and planning my day working outside!
That is such an interesting point you make, James, about Adam and Eve neglecting work for knowledge. I need to think some more about this as I have never thought about this before.
And great analysis about the quote “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”
I cannot remember where it appears, but Wendell Berry once wrote that man had obsessed over knowledge as a shortcut in life dating back to Adam and Eve. That struck me then and it really started to coalesce that it was a shortcut in part against work. I think it merits more consideration by both of us and I would love to hear your thoughts.
Great article. I was thinking about hard work a few days ago as I prepared my garden beds for planting. We often want the results of work (a beautiful, fruitful garden) but are unwilling to commit to the daily, mundane, difficult tasks that precede the harvest.
I listened to this while we have some workers outside our home chipping away at a concrete project. And I appreciate their skill immensely. It's a shame we place so much emphasis on professional knowledge work to the neglect of other, more tactile and physically impactful work.
Great read! I have been thinking about the value our society puts on hard work now for many years. My young self remembers thinking that the more strenuous a job was the less money one made. For me those were always the jobs I chose. Being in nature and sweating was my heaven. I did eventually find a job that paid more than minimum wage and helped me provide for my family. I am now 67 and planning my day working outside!
Thank you James for these letters of yours!
That is such an interesting point you make, James, about Adam and Eve neglecting work for knowledge. I need to think some more about this as I have never thought about this before.
And great analysis about the quote “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”
I cannot remember where it appears, but Wendell Berry once wrote that man had obsessed over knowledge as a shortcut in life dating back to Adam and Eve. That struck me then and it really started to coalesce that it was a shortcut in part against work. I think it merits more consideration by both of us and I would love to hear your thoughts.
Great article. I was thinking about hard work a few days ago as I prepared my garden beds for planting. We often want the results of work (a beautiful, fruitful garden) but are unwilling to commit to the daily, mundane, difficult tasks that precede the harvest.
I listened to this while we have some workers outside our home chipping away at a concrete project. And I appreciate their skill immensely. It's a shame we place so much emphasis on professional knowledge work to the neglect of other, more tactile and physically impactful work.