Saturday, November 6, 2021 (Day 309)
Relaxing Music for the week: Language of Silence: Deuter (10:11) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rr9qqbu0rSo
Question: What has your spiritual journey been to this point?
Answer: My spiritual journey up to now has been one constructed through a lot of trial and error. In fact, I don’t know if I could say that I was every “consciously” on a spiritual journey up through my 40’s because I was driven by prestige and status, not by purpose. I think working with Skip Downing through On Course and with Marcia Weider through Dream University (in 2007) really got me connected to the spiritual side of my journey – and my work. When I stopped thinking about the rewards and recognition and focused more on purpose and serving, things started to come together for me. Then, when given the opportunity to create something new and different for students that was different than traditional academic advising, I was able to take the ball and run with it. Today, I am on such a different path in my work and my life, a path this is much more fulfilling and challenging at the same time, when it’s a path not endorsed – or even acknowledged by administration and supervisors in the School of HHS/UNCG. But I know that I MUST keep moving forward, especially when I have conversations with others about the state of education and about the great disconnect that people have been their soul, health, and well-being and their jobs/lives. That’s the “great resignation” right now, that disconnect when people are asking, “Is it (this work I’m doing) worth it?” And because of COVID, I think the answer is “No” for a lot of people.
Other Stuff
Speaking of spiritual journeys and practices, here’s an article that talks about the 4 habits that could be implemented to be happier at work – and I would say, in life. Here it is:
- 4 Habits of the Happiest People Rarely Practiced by Most Workers – https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/4-habits-of-happiest-people-rarely-practiced-by-most-workers.html
I believe that the two that I really need to practice are: (1) forgive others, and (2) practice self-kindness. I’m pretty hard on myself, so I believe it’s essential for me to practice self-kindness in order to enjoy my workplace a little more. Forgive others, that’s a little harder. When you’ve been “dissed” at work over and over, it’s hard to think about forgiveness. So that’s one that I really need to address sooner more than later.
The Dream Dean 