Discman

I bought Live’s fourth studio album, Secret Samadhi, on CD as soon as it was released. I saved it for the weekend because I was helping clean a local cemetery for a service project.

My assignment was to rake the leaves starting in the corner. I put on my gloves, grabbed a rake, and hit play on my Discman, which was conveniently held in my sweet leather belt pouch. It seemed like a few minutes later when someone tapped me on the shoulder. He said we were ready to leave. I could probably mark time based on the number of times I listened to the whole album. But it felt like no time had passed, and I didn’t even mind the work. I also raked four times more than anyone else.

When I am mindfully engaged in an effort, the work often stops feeling like work. By all external measures, this was work, and I was certainly tired after. However, my mindset didn’t reflect the circumstances. I have learned that my mind, rather than my circumstances, can determine the quality of life.

Am I finding opportunities to immerse myself in meaningful work? Do I let my mindset improve or detract from my experience? What choices can I make to improve this moment?

Be curious, be kind, be whole, do good things.