On some of the listserves I follow, Friday is considered a day when it is okay to post things that are funny or frivolous.

So why not make it the day to post things that are deep, too? Sometimes it feels like it’s all we can muster just to make it through our challenges at work, and that doing deep thinking is a luxury we want but can’t afford. Well, if you can afford it any day, it’s probably Friday.

One of my favorite philosophical and spiritual authors is Paulo Coehlo (most famous for his book, The Alchemist, which is great). He also has a book called Warrior of the Light, which contains brief “philosophical stories” that expand on the implications of The Alchemist.

My favorite so far seems applicable to work life as well:

A Warrior of the Light knows that certain moments repeat themselves.

He often finds himself faced by the same problems and situations, and seeing these difficult situations return, he grows depressed, thinking that he is incapable of making any progress in life.

“I’ve been through all this before,” he says to his heart.

“Yes, you have been through all this before,” replies his heart. “But you have never been beyond it.”

Then the Warrior realizes that these repeated experiences have but one aim: to teach him what he does not want to learn.