I was chatting with someone and I mentioned that I needed to do some work on my blogs. They commented that if I don’t get paid it isn’t work.

I never thought of it that way……

As a teenager I decided to take a vow of poverty….. as a way to attach my spiritual practice (work) to my work for money (job).

This decision came after a few short years of studying Christian, Confucius, and Hindu (Raja Yoga) philosophy. AND, as a hard working warehouse man.

My dad insisted that I get my SS # at the age of 10 so that I could start working. I worked in a small warehouse, pulling orders, loading trucks, and unloading tractor trailers. Later, I would occasionally make deliveries and help with store sets.

Starting in 1980 I decided to shake things up by working as a house painter and landscaper in the summers and for 3 different temp agencies in the winter. All the while taking one class a semester at local colleges (for 12 years), studying history, and human services.
In 1981 I began apprenticing with a group specialist facilitating well adult (out patient) group expressive arts classes/workshops (for 15 years).

In 1987 after a month long training in expressive arts at Anna Halprin’s Tamalpa studio and at Sea Ranch I decided to start working at an antiques store repairing frames, matting, and archival framing all the while continuing my apprenticeship with weekend and week long workshops, and taking classes.

I worked at the antique store for a total of 18 years. Not a great paying job but it did have full benefits and I could take a few weeks off a year to co-facilitate workshops. In 1996 I decided to take a break from working with antiques and my apprenticeship and moved back to my parents home to help them prepare the farm for sale. I did work a bit charging a nominal fee for wellness coaching.

After the farm was sold and my parents had settled into their new digs I moved back to the city and the antique store where I continued to work until grad school. On occasion i offered movement based expressive arts workshops to folks and faith communities.

In 2007 I left my job at the antique store and started Graduate school, working at the front desk reception part time, attending school part time, and doing internships.

I graduated and the hospital that I had done my last internship at offered me a job and I accepted. Three years later I had a series of mini strokes, quickly recovered and about 2 months after that my entire department was laid off.

After about 10 months of doctor visits, surgery and post surgery cardiac rehabilitation, I went to work at another former internship site where I worked facilitating in and out patient groups.

So ….now I am basically retired, always looking to facilitate groups and/or offer assistance. I stopped telling people that I took a vow of poverty since most people don’t react well to that fact and after multiple surgeries I can only manage a few hours a week at best anyway.

So, work is only work if someone pays you?

No … yes. Helping others is its own reward, and it is work. Or practice as I sometimes call it