But, incrementally, so are all the other little chores that go into negotiating life in a modern society. But we do have to rely on the kindness of strangers each day as we get our kids to school, buy our groceries, or pick up the dry cleaning. The answer to the problem of being too busy to do your own laundry is not to click on someone lower on the economic order to do it for you. The best way to resolve the dilemma of time versus work may be to reappraise the work you are doing. The church teaches that work is part of what makes us human, an opportunity to participate in creation and enhance the human dignity of ourselves and the people we work with.
Work can enhance human dignity when it offers opportunities to create in relationship with others.
It can degrade human dignity when it instrumentalizes others, treats them as mere tools of personal cares or whims, or encourages us to confuse work with life. Work is therefore important, but it is a part of life, not the purpose of life. We can just say no to the continuing encroachment of work life on real life. That is one bonus worth leaving at the office. Kevin Clarke is the managing editor of online products at Claretian Publications in Chicago.