The Prophet: On Work
photo by iris fen gillingham
I have been reflecting a lot on work recently - the concept of work, and what it really means to “work”. I was reading The Prophet, a beautiful book given to me in another part of my life when I valued vastly different things. Reading the book now, different chapters speak to me more clearly, and the section On Work felt particularly relevant.
“You work that you may keep pace with the earth and the soul of the earth. For to be idle is to become a stranger unto the seasons, and to step out of life’s procession.”
This section speaks to how work is a gift to strive, grow, and show our spirit in community - “work is love made visible.” I love this perspective, and I love working in collaboration with people who share vision.
My relation to work also shifted when I began farming. I began to experience a cyclical sense of work to self regeneration. I planted the seed and watered the sprout and harvested the beans to feed me that I could have the strength to plant more seeds. I began to recognize my place in the larger ecosystem. So - how can the work I do designing sets for theatre be energetically/emotionally/physically regenerative in this way? How can I toil and laugh and live with the sun? Cry and rest and breathe with the rain?
I think that it all comes back to community. We are beings rooted in connection, and with that, balance. Theatre is inherently collaborative - how do we shift the dynamic of the theatrical community from competition and capital to support and connection? How do we truly value our work and time - financially yes, but also emotionally.