Integrity in Work

Integrity in Work

"He should be constitutionally and habitually devotional, so that
blessing of God may be upon him, and what he does, and what he
may be conscientious to do what is right and beneficial in the
practice of his art."  
___ "The Herbal Remedies of the Physicians of Myddfai"


    Whether we work for an employer or are self-employed, whether we have retired or are taking a sabbatical from work, the integrity of our actions contributes to the universal web of life. If an employer begins to bend the rules for his own benefit, then his staff may be tempted to follow his example. One person's actions may affect the company in such a way that certain positions or products are canceled - for who robs one, robs all. Occupations that strip the earth of its resources or leave it polluted are easy to target as culpable of gross theft and planetary vandalism, yet the actions of everyone living enable such results to some degree.
   To be in right relationship to our universe, a certain integrity and code of practice in our work and actions is necessary. Most of us have no explicit code by which to steer, but what we value is revealed when we consider why and for whom we are conscientious in our work and actions. Surely it is not only our employer or fellow workers who inspire us to do well but whose who consume or use what we make, or our families who are supported by our work.
    Hands that work are the partners in manifestation of the unseen world wherein Spirit (by whatever form or forms we recognize it) is the keeper, maker and inspirer of all that is. Any code of practice must first apply to the sacred source of spiritual inspiration to keep its actions pure, to operate from the highest of motives, to irrigate all work from the wellspring of integrity.

"Draw up a short, realistic personal code of practice both for your occupation and for your actions in general."
[From: "The Celtic Spirit" by Caitlin Matthews]

Month of December - the shoe is covered with dirt;
Heavy the land, flagging the sun;
Bare are the trees, still is the muscle.

December sees the winter solstice and the return of gradually longer days. The themes of this month include the nature of work, revenge and forgiveness, gifts and blessings, belief and disbelief, and practicing being human.