Why do people think that their
spirituality has to stop at their
workplace? Some people even think
that life has to stop at their
workplace.
Spirituality is something that
helps to enhance all facets of
our lives. You can apply your
spirituality to make your job
better and to make other people’s
lives better at work. If you don’t
like your job, even stronger,
if you hate your job, here is
something that you can do.
The first step is discover what
you like and what you don’t like
about your job. Make a list, if
you need to—maybe you can remember
all of the tasks and interactions
you have on the job. To consider
these things in depth may take
some time, but we have lot of
that. When you have completed
the list, look at it and pick
out the things that you don’t
like. Pretty simple so far, eh?
Now think about them for a few
moments.
What kind of skills would you
need to do the least enjoyable—the
horrible parts of that job (the
ones that suck in other words)
and maybe even enjoy them? What
type of person would like the
job that you have or to do the
things that you don’t like on
the job? How would you feel about
that type of person? Are the skills
that you need some that you never
developed because they were difficult,
or because you weren’t interested
in them? Maybe you didn’t want
to be the type of person who would
like that job. The person who
would like the job might be part
of your shadow, which is the part
of yourself that you have rejected.
They could be the person that
you would have been if you hadn’t
pressed down the very attitudes
and behaviors that you need to
enjoy your job. You can shake
off all of the fear and discomfort
and reclaim these parts of yourself,
by developing the skills that
you thought were worthless. When
you do, all the energy that you
are using to hold down all of
these attitudes and behaviors
will be released for you to use
to enjoy life. You will not disappear
as a person, your personhood will
simply expand.
At your job, you can learn to
reclaim old skills while you’re
using your job as a testing ground
to master them and any other skills
that you feel are necessary. Furthermore,
you will be getting paid while
you do it. What can be better
than that? It’s like being paid
to go to school, when you think
about it.
Let me say it one more time. You
can do your life work at the job
you are in now and get paid for
it! That is excellent!
Dr. John Gilmore is a graduate
of Wisdom University with a D.
Min. in Reinventing Work and Spirituality.
He is a Spiritual Director, Massage
Therapist, Martial Arts Instructor
and the writer of Life, Work and
Spirituality, A Holistic Approach
to Healthy Living. For more info.
http://www.dswellness.com
