Work:The Outlook of the Dalai Lama and bell hooks

          Work. It drives the modern world in which we all live. It is one aspect of life, however, that can be viewed through two drastically different lenses. It can be loved but also hated. It can be treasured by those in search of it, and avoided by those who posses it. Today we find more and more people dissatisfied with their "work." Is there any way to change ones outlook of work from just a "career" to a "calling". The Dalai Lama and bell hooks have a few suggestions.

          The Dalai Lama is one of the world's most well known leaders. He is widely known as an expert on peace and wisdom, so surely he can teach how to "love your work." Although the Dalai Lama says work can bring joy, he also stresses it can just as easily bring misery. It is vital for a person to take the necessary steps to make their outlook on work a positive one. The Dalai Lama conveys that it is important to find a purpose in work. "Now, I would think that certain professions, like social workers, teachers, health workers, would see their work as a calling," he says. He goes on to say that other professions might make it difficult to find a higher purpose. He suggests that for those jobs, the higher purpose might be to achieve excellence in the job itself. "And i think that could transform the view from a mere job or career to a calling," the Dalai Lama goes on to say. He suggests not to attempt work with a feeling of jealousy or competition. People with "boring" jobs must see their job as a means to provide comfort for their family. People with small and seemingly insignificant jobs must see their occupation as part of a larger purpose that affects people that they will never see or meet. "...through a little analysis they can realize the indirect benefits to others and be proud of what they do, and have a sense of accomplishment," says the Dalai Lama.

          bell hooks, an African-American woman, always felt the cold wind of racism and sexism in the workplace but still maintains the ability to view work in a positive light. bell hooks was raised to believe in the principle of working and being proud of that work. She was taught that there was no "shame" in doing any type of job along with it "was not what you did, but how you did it." She strives that is is important to work with integrity and commitment. Just as the Dalai Lama described, bell hooks discovered that people were most happy when their work was their "calling." hooks conveys that is necessary to find a calling and have the courage to not just work for the money if one was to find true happiness in their work.

          As a teenager in today's society, I have not always welcomed work with open arms. I have worked only two real jobs, both having worked for the sole purpose of receiving a paycheck every other week. My feelings on working have varied with jobs. As a waiter, I found more joy in serving and communicating with people than doing tedious and tiresome work on a landscaping crew. Unfortunately, I have never experienced the "calling" that the Dalai Lama and bell hooks describe but I am still searching.