Value of useful work
After tree plant I took a two week break with some friends before travelling to the Okanagan in British Columbia to do cherry picking, but I found myself homeless and jobless instead due to poor preparation. I resumed working hard immediately after a final “spiritual ass kicking” from my guru, who said that I am an expert in avoiding work 
I need to practice useful and helpful physical work.
My spiritual lesson is to work more, work much more, and much more, and each time I believe to be tired to find a reason to interrupt work there will be a time kick my ass and keep working harder than ever before.
I had offered him a donation which he refused, and he told me to work hard for 7 years and then donate myself. By working and financing work for the poor people in disaster/war zones. He did not accept my donation because my savings were financed by my previous UK government office job. In tree plant they give you a cash advance but you do not get your final payment for over a month.
Hans suggested reading the fairytale of Mother Holle until fully understood. He said no need to talk about spirituality, my way is work.
I am now working hard in heavy construction doing solid physical work, which has included heavy lifting, the use of sledge hammers, digging, drilling, screwing, stapling nails, knocking down walls, sawing, sweeping, shovelling, working in trenches and general hard strong work. I also have been doing painting work for a land lady at a hostel I was staying in. I have to walk at least several miles to and fro from work each day, and have many blisters on my feet. I spend most days exhausted with often as little as 4 1/2 hours sleep.
But the whether is great here and I can chill out on the beach after work and hang out at the coffee shop to use my laptop.
I will continue to work hard all my life, and follow the advice of my guru. The construction work is great experience, as I want to build my own house with some friends one day. I get to know about a variety of tools, materials and machinery etc. I feel like I am becoming a “real man” as Hans calls it, and strong in life. I also have the experience of overcoming hardships such as homelessness, and I have the ability to find work wherever necessary and whatever the situation is.
I have learned how to become strong. Especially, the tree planting prepares a person for anything since it is so hardcore. This may be the preparation to become the stronghold of a family and community for instance.
I am thinking about buying a camper van when I get paid to live and travel in, such as when I resume my job in forestry.
