Dear Caminoheads,
I grew up listening to people talk about working. And I grew up within the figures of rebels and socialists whose signs were always claiming for the opportunity to work, because “Works dignifies the person”. I listened to my uncle tell the story that he had to go to work as a milk-man when he was 13 years old, as he was the oldest of 5 siblings and he father had just died. And I started to work myself at a very young age also, during my holidays I used to sell tickets at my uncle’s carrousel (yes, I have been very good at mathematics since a small child!) Yet, it was very clear that children shouldn’t work.
It makes me very sad every single day when I see children being adults, trying to find a way to make money to support their families or even themselves. In my country sadly, this happens in many corners or street lights, but the internet is full of videos of little kids doing what they should not… and not doing what they should: playing, being cared and looked after by adults, getting a formal and emotional education which would allow them to get a job when growing up…
I am going nowhere with this post… it is just that I kept thinking on this thing about children working since I saw a post and picture in twitter: 4 children, probably all below 10-12 years old, who were cleaning windshields and selling pens in a street light, went into a pizza place together, pulled “what they have made” during the day and bought a pizza and each of them a coca cola, and were just having the best of the times together, dividing the pizza in even pieces, enjoying… then, a 5th child that they didn’t know came in to the pizza place selling candies, and when he walked by these kids, they immediately invited him to join them; and each cut a piece of their pizza portions and gave them to their new friend.
I just thought that these children, while they should have been playing, they were already recognizing the dignity in themselves and their new friend. Both in enjoying what they got through the money their earned, but also, with making their new friend feel worthy, dignified too.
From any place we hold in this society, may we learn from these little how we should treat our coworkers, but actually, any human.
Worthy loves,
Cris
I like where you went with this post Cris –
Your heart was showing you the way and all the concern and care you have for the little people of this world. Many children have to grow up too early. It’s a good reminder to us to be watchful over them.
There is a connection between work and mortality.From the Bible,I can’t remember where;and by your works you shall be set free.And then we have the Protestant work ethic which seems to originate with Paris born John Calvin.It connection between work and morality seems to be mainly western and I don’t think that you get it in Hinduism and Buddhism.The USA’s Labor Day is different as it’s not set in May.The equivalent here is in May, and also in most of Europe, and is a socialist holiday.It’s interesting how a religious idea has translated into socialism.Thinking about it might be May because of something to do with the French Revolution.
Cris, thank you for sharing your heart-felt thoughts and illustrating how the child’s heart can enjoy the fruit of their labor AND share it with others.
Not all work results in cash in the pocket but whatever the short and long term rewards are, a vision of how to share it is a good thing to develop.
As we say, ‘You can’t take it with you.’
Half-a-slice love,
Ronaldo