Three laborers were asked what they were doing on a construction site where a church was being built.

The first laborer, who looked bored doing his chore, said, “Every day I mix sand, gravel, and cement.” The second replied, “I’m making a living for my family.” The third said, “I’m doing work for the House of God.”

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The three laborers were doing the same work but differed in perspectives from the simple to the lofty.

There are times in daily life when we are faced with chores, work, or responsibilities that we don’t want to do.

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For instance, you get tired or lazy doing your work because it’s too ordinary like that first construction worker, cleaning your house, going to Sunday Mass, paying taxes. In times like these, it’s easy to get into a bad mood and stay in one as you tackle these tasks.

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However, given the fact that our bad mood will not change the fact that we have to do these things, and will most likely make things worse, we could try to shift our attitude. Many wise people have pointed out that it is not so much what we do as it is HOW we do it that makes the difference.

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When we’re facing something that’s really hard for us, like paying taxes or bills, or visiting a cranky relative, and so on, it’s important that we try to change our way of looking at the situation to something pleasant.

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Most of the chores we don’t like doing are intimately intertwined with our blessings. For instance, sometimes we get bored or lazy cleaning our house. However, when we love our home as we clean it and think how lucky we are to have a roof over our head (compared to the homeless), then that will take away the drudgery or burden of cleaning it.

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The task will be transformed from a burden to one of caring for something we love.

If you feel lazy in going to church on Sunday, think that you have to do it to devote time for the Lord who is your Benefactor and Savior. Likewise, you receive His blessings.

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Other instances are raising naughty children who will turn out to be assets and pride of parents. On the burden of giving to charity, the benefactor feels good deep down inside for the good work and the thought of a divine reward.

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In this way, we shift our attitude from something that’s unpleasant or difficult to something that’s pleasant and more appealing.

If we do this, then our chores, work, or responsibilities will not be so much a burden or drudgery but a blessing.

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THE LIGHTER SIDE. The US economy is so bad that – when the bank returns a check marked “Insufficient Funds,” the client asks if they meant him or them.

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They renamed Wall Street to “Wal-Mart Street.” ... The Treasure

Island casino in Las Vegas is now managed by Somali pirates.

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A woman had an exorcism but couldn’t afford to pay for it, and they repossessed her! ...Unable to support many wives, a polygamist now has only one wife.

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A man retrenched from work, got so depressed that he called the international Suicide Hotline. A call from Pakistan came, asking if he could drive a truck... strong enough to carry some bombs!

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GOD BLESS – the latest donors to Adopt a Seminarian scholarship program: Leni Lazaro; Dan-Lita Payawal; Dwight-Agie Alonzo; Amelia Sta. Ana; Leonida Fernandez; Anonymous.

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Others who want to help may send donation payable to “Adopt a Seminarian” through Fr. Bel San Luis, SVD, Christ the King Seminary, 1101 E. Rodriguez Blvd., Quezon City. For inquiries, call Joana at Christ the King Seminary (cf. tel. directory) or e-mail: belsvd@yahoo.com.