Article September 26, 1931 Issue

Overcoming Monotony

MARIE G. HOWARD

One of mortal mind's suggestions which seems to cause discontent is that which would have one believe that if he were only in another line of work he would be happier. To some this comes in the form of a suggestion that the work at hand is monotonous; that the one carrying it on is capable of doing something which has more variety, more interest, or more responsibility attached to it. Have we not heard someone exclaim: "I can't stand the monotony of this work! If only it weren't the same day after day!" Does the person making such a remark stop to reflect that the monotony is not in the work, but in the thought of the person engaged in performing the task?

A dictionary gives one definition of "monotony" as "irksome sameness." But may not all work be seen as the expression of loving service? and how can anything pertaining to love be irksome? Another definition of this word is "want of variety." But since divine Mind is infinite, must Mind not express infinite variety? Mrs. Eddy says in our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 265), that the "scientific sense of being ... confers upon man ... a wider sphere of thought and action;" and on page 325 she tells us that "the true idea of being ... results in infinite blessings to mortals." Therefore, as we gain the "scientific sense of being" and earnestly strive to reflect the one Mind in all we do, whether it be in the office, the home, or the factory, is it not natural that our work should take on a new outlook, either by our finding added interest and joy in what we are already doing, or by the opening up to us of some new and attractive field?

A young student of Christian Science once had this very clearly brought home to her. She was in a large and unfamiliar city, and had great hopes of finding a certain type of position which she had specifically outlined to herself. She knew just the kind of work and type of office she wanted! Up to this point she had not let divine Love lead the way, but had allowed her imagination to draw a picture of the place she thought was best suited to her. Although she had held good positions heretofore and was competent in her line, the only thing she could find was a temporary position as a typist in a large corporation—the very thing she did not want. However, as it seemed necessary for her to secure work immediately, she accepted this position. Several days passed, and still she was given nothing more interesting than copying sheets of typing, and there seemed to be nothing else in sight.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Overcoming Monotony

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access