Whether our livelihood is as a homemaker or construction worker or executive, we spend most of our waking hours in some way related to earning a living, so our work is the most extensive opportunity we have for spiritual practice. We can't all formally be in the "helping professions," but every choice we make about how we earn our living has a compelling potential for helping the people around us and our environment itself. We can choose a livelihood that is ethical and does not harm others. We can treat our coworkers, clients, underlings, and bosses with respect and kindness. We can use the money we earn to meet our financial responsibilities and to help others. We can use our chosen career to create a caring community in our own home, in the workplace, and in the world at large.

As I meet my financial needs,
may I mindfully make
my source of livelihood
beneficial to my world community
and to those near me.

Jean Smith in Now! The Art of Being Truly Present