The
Soul’s Work
“The
soul doesn’t distinguish between good and bad as much as between what is
nutritious and what isn’t. Finding the right work is like discovering your own
soul in the world.”
Thomas
Moore
What is
your soul work? We tend to think of our soul work as somehow religious and
separate from our everyday job. It isn’t necessarily. We recognize our soul
work because we are so happy when doing it—even if we’re digging trenches or
mowing grass or driving cows in from pasture. I had a friend who died last year
who had been a nuclear engineer—all day he did mathematical computations
related to nuclear power plants. I’d rather take a hammer to my fingertips but
for him it was soul work. One friend who was a radiation therapist worked with
her patients on imagery that transformed the beam of radiation into healing
light. In the process she also transformed a typically brutal experience into one
essential to healing.
I’ve
had psychologist friends tell me that theirs’ is the best work in the world. It
never feels like work because they love it so much. That was not true for me—I always
questioned myself, worried that I had said or done something wrong, had made
someone’s life worse instead of better. My soul work was massage therapy—I was
meant to work with my hands and helping other people using them was the best
feeling ever. When I put my hands on someone, all judgement was suspended, and
I could come from that place Carl Rogers called “unconditional positive regard.”
Think about
the work you do and ask yourself whether you feel satisfied there. Does it
reflect your core values? Does what you do to make a living fulfill you in some
way, or is it simply necessary for making money? If your job does not reflect
who you are, then what does? Is there an avocation that calls to you? There was
a photo on Facebook recently of a crew from my old church cooking dinner at the
Firehouse Shelter—I’ve never seen those folks look happier. There they were, representing
the church, doing exactly what Jesus instructed—feeding the hungry. That’s
always good for the soul.
As much
time as we spend at our jobs (40-60 hrs/week), it’s helpful to feel invested in
them—not just for our pocketbook’s sake, but for our soul’s. It’s spiritually nutritious
to get as much as we give—to have our job be satisfying on many levels. If your
workplace is toxic, there is no way to feel comfortable there. Toxicity will
permeate your body/mind and eventually make you physically and mentally sick. No
amount of money is worth that.
Your
soul has its own work to do here at the earth school. It may or may not match
your notion of appropriate career, but it will feel satisfying and gratifying.
If you go home at the end of the day healthy, happy and satisfied with what you’ve
done, then you’re in the right place.
In
the Spirit,
Jane
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