I recently had the good fortune to take a trip to London and Rome. Both cities are filled with churches, many very grand and immense as a physical way to honor God.

What hit me the hardest was evidence of the human belief in a power greater than ourselves, no matter what religion.  I was sitting in Basilica San Clemente, a 12th Century church in Rome, that was built on top of a Christian temple from the 4th Century, which was built on a pagan temple and a Roman dwelling from the second Century.  While I was reflecting, a choir of Irish teenage boys was singing as their priest said Mass. 2000 years of worship and it’s still going on.

The desire to be connected to something larger, to gather with others and to express our beliefs was, for me, moved out of the theoretical and philosophical realm and into the physical.  The evidence was all around me.

What does this have to do with work?  I’m not entirely sure, but I know that work is about more than making money to pay bills.  It’s about using talents, being creative, being part of a collective effort, having the opportunity to achieve and be recognized, being part of something you respect, making a contribution to the common good, being productive — basic human qualities that never change.