Isn’t it weird to read religious words in job descriptions: Mission. Commitment. Passion. I wasn’t looking for a bishop position, I just wanted to write code. I spent my first decade of adulthood at a few startups. I sank my teeth in at a FAANG. I even took to the skies on one of those unicorn rides. On the surface, my career seemed like a dream, but it was a sacrifice.
"As a child, it seemed I was taught religion to learn discipline. Discipline was to be applied to education. And education was then to ascend to vocation. From vocation, came worth. No wonder we worship work."
The insight-density of your pieces have the weight of a rare metal Steven. Although I've not dropped my pursuit of a high marriage between my work and my place of worship. It's taken decades to fashion a temple in the town center of my life, but I'm finding it is actually possible. I don't go to work or to church independently anymore, the two doorways are painted the same color.
"In the Cities of the West, it seems careers have become a person’s highest thing" Steven this was a fabulous read! +1 to succinctly distilling exactly how I feel about this topic. Stoked to see more of your work in WoP11 🙌🏽
This spoke to me deeply. We all worship something, even if we aren’t religious. The phrase “work hard, play hard” suggests many worship work and pleasure. Too much of either leads to burnout.
You reminded me of Derek Thompson’s essays “On Work” in which he scrutinizes how work has replaced the role of church and faith.
It is always a treat to see you in my notifications Chris! I'm still working albeit slowly through your remarkable work. I appreciate your encouragement always.
Masterfully done! So many good lines and points, and it's opening up some good questions for me. I'm fiending for a deep analysis between the shared language/structures of work and religion, and how a mystic would approach today's landscape of work.
Oh you are spot on about people identifying with their careers. I used to. First a musician. Then a therapist. Then a hospital exec. Then suddenly lost career due to disability. Thankfully sobriety has demonstrated the most important identification of myself today. A child of God amongst God’s many, many children.
Beautiful. It's so true that we often turn our careers into our religion, and that's exactly the plan too. I love the transition to the life that brings you more meaning.
Sharing this paragraph widely:
"As a child, it seemed I was taught religion to learn discipline. Discipline was to be applied to education. And education was then to ascend to vocation. From vocation, came worth. No wonder we worship work."
I had a feeling you would enjoy the unfolding in this sequence! Thank you Karena!
The insight-density of your pieces have the weight of a rare metal Steven. Although I've not dropped my pursuit of a high marriage between my work and my place of worship. It's taken decades to fashion a temple in the town center of my life, but I'm finding it is actually possible. I don't go to work or to church independently anymore, the two doorways are painted the same color.
Rick your integration is evident in every interaction I have had with you. Thank you for continuing your supportive notes and your friendship.
“but in the end, who cares if I became the greatest mason in Egypt. I was still a slave for someone else's grave.” - Brilliant
"In the Cities of the West, it seems careers have become a person’s highest thing" Steven this was a fabulous read! +1 to succinctly distilling exactly how I feel about this topic. Stoked to see more of your work in WoP11 🙌🏽
There is a hole in a man's heart which cannot be filled by a job or career or accolades or ....
"Still a slave building another man's grave" Excellent.
This spoke to me deeply. We all worship something, even if we aren’t religious. The phrase “work hard, play hard” suggests many worship work and pleasure. Too much of either leads to burnout.
You reminded me of Derek Thompson’s essays “On Work” in which he scrutinizes how work has replaced the role of church and faith.
Well done Steven--there are some wonderful resonating lines in this piece!
It is always a treat to see you in my notifications Chris! I'm still working albeit slowly through your remarkable work. I appreciate your encouragement always.
Beautifully written, Steven. If work is your religion then you are worshipping a false god.
I've always been fond of the saying, 'If what you do is who you are, then when you don't, you aren't.'
So glad to have found you on Notes. (Thanks to Alex Dobrenko for 'liking' it so you appeared like magic for me to read)
This is wonderful Steven!
Oooft. Time to take words out of my job listing and find them in real life.
Wow. This is so personal, insightful, and poetic. Love it.
Also love this line “I wasn’t looking for a bishop position, I just wanted to write code.”
So jealous of the opening line.
Love this piece Steven, it’s so easy to get wrapped up in the career rat race without pausing to ask...what am I doing this for?
Masterfully done! So many good lines and points, and it's opening up some good questions for me. I'm fiending for a deep analysis between the shared language/structures of work and religion, and how a mystic would approach today's landscape of work.
I'm looking forward to talking with you more on these things soon!
Oh you are spot on about people identifying with their careers. I used to. First a musician. Then a therapist. Then a hospital exec. Then suddenly lost career due to disability. Thankfully sobriety has demonstrated the most important identification of myself today. A child of God amongst God’s many, many children.
Beautiful. It's so true that we often turn our careers into our religion, and that's exactly the plan too. I love the transition to the life that brings you more meaning.