Thursday, September 4, 2025

The Joy of Work

The key to joyful living is less about holding good cards than about playing the cards you do hold, well

By Eric Nederlof, Representative

Labour Day is the rear-view mirror for another year, and a new season of school and other seasonal start-ups are upon us.

It’s a good time to reflect on all the things that work is and means to you. The largest component of that is your job/career.

But it’s also the performing of other necessary activities, chores, and responsibilities you have. The lines often blur because there is an element of work—exerting physical and/or mental effort—in almost everything we do.

Whether we’re talking about paid employment or our daily living chores, hobbies, or side-hustles, our talent, abilities, opportunities, and circumstances affect each of us in the daily work before us. These often affect how we look at work as well—as something we have to do or something we get to do.

However, as with most things in life, a positive attitude toward work and seeing the good features of it and its successful completion goes a long way to improving our satisfaction level toward whatever we are doing.

Have full appreciation for what you’ve been gifted with the capabilities to do. Have profound thankfulness for the prospects available to you, and deep gratitude for what’s good about your situation.

Whether you’re young or old(er), just starting a career or waist deep in the slog, take joy out of what you can do and put joy into everything you do. Celebrate your strengths and accomplishments and only dwell on things you can change and improve instead of longing for what’s not possible.

The key to joyful living is less about holding good cards than about playing the cards you do hold, well.

Life is hard and the world can dish out tough blows. Successful resiliency to much of that comes from a positive attitude and a joyful demeanour.

Fully inspect the grass on your side of the fence. Really see how green it is compared to other yards before you make nonretractable change. Where your lawn isn’t as green as you’d like, determine if there’s something you might be able to do to make it greener.

Keep your body, mind, and soul healthy by approaching your work-life responsibilities with joy.

The Joy of Work

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