Theme: Labor Law

Every useful occupation is work

It was the first holiday day from school and Arthur's mother asked him to do dry the dishes from lunch.

- I can´t! Replied the boy. On this vacation I will do nothing! Work... no way!

So, in that day Arthur refused to clean the room, wash his sneakers and safe his clothes that had been passed. He lay on the couch all afternoon, watching nothing good on TV. His mother thought she could force him to help but she decided to do it differently...

The next day he woke up very late and refused to sweep the sidewalk, saying:

- Work on vacation? No way!

The mother then challenged her son:

- I bet you can´t stay a week without work!

- I'll bet an ice cream that I can! - Replied Arthur.

- Deal! - said the mother.

Mrs. Ana went on to watch the son closely, checking the choices he made. When he finished reading one of the books he had earned from his uncle, she said:

- My son, perhaps you do not know but in the Spirit Doctrine we learn that ALL USEFUL OCCUPATION IS WORK. Reading this book with spirit stories, is work.

Without wanting to work, Arthur took the bike for a ride on the court. He pedaled happily for over an hour and when he returned, Mrs. Ana reminded him:

- Work! - Arthur said, dropping his bicycle.

When the boy began to get bored, Abigail, his neighbor, came and invited him to play. They had a lot of fun together for hours. When she left, Mrs. Ana explained:

- Healthy games such as those in the afternoon do well to the spirit, educate and teach respect and cordiality. Therefore, they can be considered as a kind of work.

Arthur did not answer. He then turned on the TV and watched a documentary about animals, learning many interesting things about pets.

- Studying is an important useful occupation as well as watching educational TV shows. - reminded the mother later, during dinner.

That night, Arthur watched a movie he had taken in the video store. It was a horror movie with suspense scenes. When Mrs. Ana came to the room, she commented:

- This definitely is not work. It is not useful but I think it helps you to be afraid and attract to the environment spiritual companies that love fear and violence.

Arthur was thoughtful but finished watching the movie. Later, when his mother came to say good night, she asked:

- Have you made your prayers?

Towards the affirmative answer, she smiled and said:

- Praying for yourself and for others is a beautiful and useful occupation... And while we sleep, we can work and study in spirit...

Arthur only smiled, realizing he would not win the bet.

And so it was, with love and patience that the boy reflected on his choices that Arthur's mother taught him that every useful occupation is work.

The next day Arthur dried lunch dishes and cleaned the room without complaining. He has begun feeling that being helpful is a smart choice that brings well-being and joy and that work is a valuable opportunity for learning and evolution.

A few days later, mother and son paused in their work and savored a huge, delicious ice cream.

Text by Cláudia Schmidt, published on the site of the Spirit Group Seara do Mestre.

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com