Common work, uncommon joy

"To do a common thing, uncommonly well, that brings success."
~ Henry John Heinz

Have you ever believed you needed something more to be successful?

“I need more money.”

“I need more support.”

“I need to live in a different place.”

“I need…???”

Any of these feelings feel familiar?

It helps me to remember that to be successful at whatever we do, the primary need is always spiritual, and often includes greater gratitude for what we already possess.

When I farmed years ago, I studied what differentiated the successful farmers from the unsuccessful growers. The difference wasn’t who had the most land, the largest bank account, the newest equipment, or the better luck. It was those who worked the hardest, loved their work the most, and learned how to do a better job at growing their crops. It was the spiritual qualities they possessed and faithfully reflected that prospered their business.

Planting seeds, irrigating plants, and picking fruit, for those in the agriculture industry, are very common “things.” But those who do it uncommonly well stand out far and above those who don’t.

Doesn’t the same rule apply to every type of employment?

Look around you and you’ll notice countless “common” people who are successful, not because they are movie stars or of special privilege, but because they are doing something common uncommonly well.

Teachers, salespeople, mothers, coaches, fathers, students, cooks, lawyers, programmers… The best ones take a common task and do it unusually well.

Each of us can do the same!

It’s not material factors such as financial backing that determine success. It’s God’s qualities in action that reward worthy effort and breed achievement.

Each of us are the talented offspring of the one infinitely intelligent divine Mind. We were created able, capable, wise, discerning, full and complete.

What appears to be common work can be turned into uncommon joy as we exercise these divine qualities abundantly and live true to our spiritual endowments.