I don’t know if there’s any wisdom to share so much as there are some observations I’m making about myself from the 10,000 ft. view of my life… but then again, maybe that’s what I do here every week.
For about the last year or so, I have been recoiling from my job – essentially all of 2022, maybe a little further back then that. I went down to 4 days a week and gave up a few perks that full-time employees enjoy in order to do so. I’d originally asked for some fluidity in my schedule that the company wasn’t willing to offer me due to my position here.
That is, until my supervisor decided to retire. I threw my name in the hat for his job and I got it, thereby regaining the perks I’d forgone previously and attained the flexibility I’d been craving. What I needed was a change and I got it. It’s kind of amazing as I take a step back… y’know, once upon a time this company rolled the dice on making me the shipper/receiver. I’m now the regional accounts supervisor for the Canadian prairies.
This is not a lesson about hanging in there and hoping for the best. If anything it’s a 2-fold lesson about not compromising what you want, and aligning yourself with your purpose. I have a good job that allows me to do things I need to do for my soul; both inside and outside the confines of my employment. Truth be told, I have a number of skills that would serve me well in several different working scenarios, but I have had the good fortune of having the company I work for see the potential in me based on my previous role in the company… yes, that role I was backing away from and doing part time.
This is a testament to living in the moment. When I was at work, I was at work, and I kept on task. When I was away from work, it was because I had other important things on the go – family, performing, writing… and those things had my attention as best I could give it, because those things needed to be firmed up.
Now as I take on this new role, there are other things I need to firm up, namely a work/life balance that; again, is going to be much more doable having made these changes.
It’s a matter of being present, and when you’re entirely present – in the right here / right now – there is no fear, or impatience. Fear comes from paying too much attention to the past, and impatience comes from looking too far forward.
It’s only here and now that we can do our best work.
The Conscious Pilgrim 