Embracing Joy at Work: Why We Should Dance in the Office
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Chapter 1: The Dance of Life
This piece delves into the application of post-ego concepts in our professional environments. Today, we examine how these ideas can infuse our work life with joy.
SUNDAY SERMON
During a recent trip to Tuscany, I visited a vineyard where the family still engages in traditional grape crushing—by stepping on them. The guide explained that this yearly ritual involves the entire family and neighbors, all joyfully dancing on the grapes, singing, and celebrating together.
Why Don't We Dance While We Work?
While grape crushing lends itself to merriment, I realized I had never witnessed such joy in my workplace at Harvard College of Duluth. For a decade, I worked in the English department, where the atmosphere was far from festive. Laughter was a rarity, and the professors seemed too preoccupied with their serious tasks to engage in anything resembling fun.
In academia, the need for respect often stifles expression. Dancing might lead students to see us in a less authoritative light.
Work Is Seen as Serious Business
Respect is a universal desire, but dancing can invite ridicule. Many of us view our dancing abilities as questionable, leading to reluctance to express joy even when we are alone. The idea of dancing at work symbolizes a deeper joy and connection to life, which is often missing in our professional routines.
When asked about our jobs, few respond with enthusiasm about joy and celebration.
Delivering Happiness
Tony Hsieh, the late founder of Zappos, was an anomaly in the world of work culture. He defied the norm by fostering an environment filled with vibrant celebrations and fun at his Nevada headquarters. However, this approach eventually spiraled into personal struggles, highlighting the complexities of chasing happiness in the workplace.
Many tech companies attempted to replicate Hsieh's model with party-like environments. Yet, such atmospheres can be uncomfortable for those with social anxieties or other challenges. Genuine joy goes beyond superficial celebrations; it entails allowing our spirits to thrive in our workspaces.
Your Spirit Cannot Dance in the Chains of Ego
Our egos often act as wardens, restricting our expressions and desires. They impose rules that dictate how we should approach work. The prevailing mindset is often one of merely enduring the workweek until the weekend arrives.
I first recognized this ego-driven mentality during a dental appointment. As I sat in the chair, my body tensed, and I heard the voice of my ego insisting I simply "get through it." But as I engaged with my feelings, I discovered moments of joy even in that uncomfortable situation.
Finding Joy Amidst Mundanity
Work can feel repetitive and draining, and the ego often pushes us to merely survive the experience. Personalities that thrive on negativity can exacerbate this feeling, but we have the choice to shift our mindset.
Instead of succumbing to the ego's directive, we can embrace moments of lightness and joy at work. After all, we spend a significant portion of our lives in our jobs—why not find joy in that time?
"Just Getting Through It" Leads to Depression
I once dated someone who seemed perpetually downcast. Even during a beautiful vacation in Maui, she struggled to enjoy it, and I found myself frustrated. Reflecting now, I realize my own inability to thrive in that situation stemmed from my own mindset.
The phrase "just get through it" creates invisible bars that confine us in a cycle of misery.
Understanding Suppression
The suppression we feel often mirrors a lack of freedom to express ourselves. Too often, we allow our inner voices to dictate our actions, but we can reclaim our autonomy.
Transforming the Workplace
After a weekend retreat focused on post-ego principles, I returned to work with a renewed perspective. The campus, once dull, now seemed sacred—a place of learning and growth. I realized that the distinction between the secular and sacred is misleading; every workplace can be a space for reverence.
Dance as a Celebration of Life
Let us engage in the sacred dance of life, bringing joy into our workspaces. When the ego reemerges to tell you to merely endure, challenge that voice and choose to celebrate instead.
Remember, work should not feel like a prison; it can be a place of sacred experiences.
And now, enjoy this hymn, accompanied by the post-ego club congregation of Duluth, MN, just a few Sundays ago. Feel free to sing along and, of course, DANCE!