I always avoid the automated checkout in the grocery store. I rarely if ever use an ATM either. It isn’t that I fear them or can’t work them. It is just that there is something missing from them. The automated checkout has never once given me a warm smile when I pulled my grocery cart up to it. The ATM hasn’t once shared a kind hello or asked me how I was doing today either. The automated checkout has never given me a compliment or lightened my heart with a gentle joke like the cashiers I know have. The ATM hasn’t once offered my kids a lollipop like the bank tellers I know often do. No automated checkout has ever thanked me for something I wrote, given me a friendly hug, or even looked me in the eye. No ATM has ever wished me well or told me to have a great day. Neither one has ever made me feel happy that I came into the store or bank that day either. The cashiers and tellers I know always have. Machines may be able to do some things for us, but they can never do these things for us. Machines may be able to do a lot of work in this world, but they can’t do the work of our souls.   

The work of our souls is the real reason we are here, after all. The work of the world may put food in our bellies and clothes on our backs, but the work of our souls puts love in our hearts and joy in our lives. There is an old saying that goes we all should: "Work to live, but live to love." People can do both. Machines never can.  

Remember then to always love from your heart and work from your soul. Every time you share a smile at work God smiles as well. Every time you bring a little laughter to those you work with you bring laughter to the angels as well. Every time you give a little love from your heart and joy from your soul you do the work of Heaven while still here on Earth. The work of machines may make our lives better, but it is the work of our souls that make life worth living.