THE RETURN TO WORK
Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving us worcly evidence of the fact. There are two ways of entering a swimming pool; one is the joyous, headlong plunge into the deep end, the other a slow and shivery vacillation on the steps, first one toe in and then another, and then both out again while the springs of courage are being rewound. To the diver the water is a friend, a bracing gift of the gods, welcoming and sustaining, and giving a sense of power and of victory over iinothre element. To the shrinking dabbler it is cruel, cold, untrustworthy and essentially an enemy. The return to work after the holidays is much like taking this plunge. Some leave the warm, relaxing holiday atmosphere with regre.t, and with many a “longing, lingering look behind,” others, and they are the wiser, jump boldly in, glad to be back at the real business of life. The toe-dabblers sa.v that labour is a “manifestation o'f the devil ;” the more energetic and courageous divers know that it is a manifestation of God, sent as a curse originally, if you will, but somehow or other turned into a blessing. Certainly the million unemployed in Britain wish that the curse “in the sweat of thy face shalt the eat bread,” would be renewed for them.
How has it come about that this curse of work has turned into a blessing? Partly by the artistic element in it, partly by the dignity attached to it. He is unfortunate indeed who can truthfully say that there are no elements of art in his work, for as soon ns there comes into the daily round the possibility, not only of doing a task better than other men do it, but of doing it better than we ourselves did it last week or last month, there is something of art in it. And with these element of art comes legitimate pride in our work, and pleasure and contentment and quiet happness. With out them there is still the dignity of service and of strong endeavour, the reward of knowing that we have done our best.
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Hokitika Guardian, 2 January 1930, Page 8
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364THE RETURN TO WORK Hokitika Guardian, 2 January 1930, Page 8
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