Finding work we love

Awhile back, while at Anthropologie, I picked up the book Things I Want My Daughters To Know by interior designer, philosopher and author Alexandra Stoddard. I read a few pages and immediately found it inspiring. Alexandra writes about various life issues, and gives recommendations on how to extract ourselves from the chaos of life and find the calm center where personal happiness resides.

Alexandra's bedroom

Image via Jackie Von Tobel

Below is an excerpt that has stayed in my mind, even months after reading it. Such wisdom will undoubtedly help shape my life and the decisions I make in the coming months/years:

"The work we choose to do each day accumulatively becomes our life's work...When you find work you love that supports you financially, that is ideal...If you don't love your work but it puts food on the table and provides for you and your loved ones, this is not ideal; but working to survive is honorable. Temporarily, this is fine; you do what you have to do to live. This shouldn't be the case indefinitely, because it can be draining, sapping your vitality and enthusiasm, and selling your soul...Don't settle forever or for too long, for work you don't love. You need to aspire to work that makes you thrive, that you're proud of, that is a perfect fit to your talents, gifts, and passionate interests. When we love our work, we will sustain true, inner happiness..."

{Extracted from pgs 1-3 of the book}