Some have said that if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. As appealing as that sounds, I don’t buy it.
To illustrate, think about a stay at home mother (or parent) as an example. I don’t know anybody who would argue that being a stay at home parent isn’t real work. (If you do, then I invite you to try it out, for at least 1 year, preferably with multiple children, and report back.)
I have met a lot of stay at home parents, and I can’t think of one that ever said it wasn’t something that they loved to do, and that they were grateful to have had the opportunity. And I can’t think of one that didn’t say it was still, in spite of the fact that they loved it, very hard work.
Since they love it, wouldn’t it stand to reason then, that they have “never worked a day in their life”?
Not hardly.
Sleepless nights. Chaotic days.
Days, weeks, and years you want to quit.
Days you feel worthless, and helpless, and overwhelmed, and tired.
It is hard, hard work.
Doing what you love isn’t always easy. It may be just the opposite. Doing what you love can be very difficult for the very reason that it is something you care about deeply.
What you love, you don’t necessarily love because it is easy. You love it because, ultimately, no matter how much work it takes, it brings you joy, purpose, and fulfillment.
So don’t let the difficulties of work, no matter what that work is, discourage you, or dissuade you from pursuing what you love. And don’t make the mistake of thinking doing what you love won’t be hard work.
No matter what you do, even if it’s digging holes, do it with love, and do it with all of your heart. You’ll find that you will indeed work plenty of days of your life, but you’ll have accomplished something worth having worked hard for.
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