There was a story about a janitor mopping up the floor when the president was visiting NASA and asked him what his job was and the gentleman said, "I'm helping send a man to the moon."A similar story was about a traveler that came upon three men working. He asked the first man what he was doing and the man said he was laying bricks. He asked the second man the same question and he said he was putting up a wall. When he got to the third man and asked him what he was doing, he said he was building a cathedral.
For the first bricklayer, it was a job. For the second bricklayer it was an occupation. For the third bricklayer, it was a calling. It brings the focus from just on ourselves but on how we might be of service to others and making a difference in the world. When we come to the realization that every small act adds up to something worthwhile and extraordinary, only then do we live purposely.
How do we see our work as parents? How do our children see their work and what is their attitude towards learning? Is it seen as a job of laying stones or do you you see it as creating something beautiful and worthwhile?