Recently I realized the complicated feelings I have about this blog. The intention of the blog--sharing my thoughts on life's joys and struggles--comes from a genuine place in my heart, filled with kindness and compassion. Yet, in practice, when I write a blog post I also feel some tension. Last night I realized what was going on for me.
When my posts fall into the category of "advice giving" (e.g., making suggestions to readers based on my experiences), there is dissonance within me, as I don't feel comfortable in that particular role. It takes me out of my own authentic experience and puts me into a look-at-me space, which I'd prefer not to inhabit.
So I thought about simply writing all future blog posts based solely on my experiences, with no expectation or suggestion for others (that resonates much more with my authentic intention of the blog). Yet that still feels stale, as it's not the medium with which the sharing feels genuine. That is, I'm happy to share my experiences with people (in fact, I do it regularly with friends, family, students, etc., when they ask), but I do that sharing when there is a felt connection (in-person, on the phone). And the blog doesn't give me that sense of connection. (In general, I don't feel much authentic connection via technology. I long for in-person or phone conversations, where I can more fully experience the other person.)
Alas, I think the blog has run its course. Although I try to "never say never," for the time being the blog will go silent. But for those readers who want to continue a conversation or ask about a certain post, please feel free to email me (my address is on my website). From there we could arrange a more authentic exchange.
May we all be safe.
May we all be happy.
May we all be loved.
May we all live in peace.
Namaste, all!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Redefining Work?
"The way we spend our days is, of course, the way we spend our lives."
--Annie Dillard
Such an obvious statement, yet one we don't typically internalize. We often buzz through our days, unmindfully completing tasks and to-dos, at the same time longing for a more simple life at some point in the future. But as (meditation teacher) Pema Chodron often says, we strengthen the habits we practice. So if we daily practice the habits of fear, rushing, urgency, multi-tasking, and must-complete-the-to-do-list, then those are the habits we strengthen. It's therefore not reasonable to assume that at some point in the future those habits will magically go away. (At least I haven't found a way to make it work. :))
What habits do you want to strengthen? The answer to that question will vary by person. The habits I'd like to strengthen are, for example, pausing, non-doing, reflection, authenticity, genuine creativity, listening, kindness, and compassion.
How do I do this and still "get my job done?" Well, I heard something interesting from a meditation teacher (Cheri Maples) recently: she's worked for many organizations, all of which undoubtedly have mission statements, but she's always lived by her own personal mission statement (which keeps her intentions clear and authentic). What a freeing thought!
I know Lawrence University has its formal mission statement, but what is my personal work mission statement? I've pondered this loosely during the summer, but now headed into the academic year, I thought it wise to actually articulate my intentions at work. So I just completed my work mission statement. Now I have a centered place with which to enter the school year and navigate the bevy of requests that might come my way. I know what I value most deeply, and that's where I'll spend my (limited) time. [BTW, I will soon discuss a "life mission statement"--stay tuned.]
Perhaps a personal work mission statement is something for you to consider? An anchor to hold you to your true intentions and what you most value? (It's so darn easy to get wrapped up in what other people value or what society values.) This can be done for conventional-type jobs and also for non-conventional-type jobs (e.g., stay-at-home parent, student, self-employed person). Of course, it takes time and energy to write the statement. (I actually found it a very helpful exercise.) And, of course, it takes great strength to live by the statement even when outside forces tell you not to. But remember, how we spend our days is how we spend our life. :)
As a just-for-fun tidbit, included below is a word cloud of my work mission statement (click on the picture for a larger view).
--Annie Dillard
Such an obvious statement, yet one we don't typically internalize. We often buzz through our days, unmindfully completing tasks and to-dos, at the same time longing for a more simple life at some point in the future. But as (meditation teacher) Pema Chodron often says, we strengthen the habits we practice. So if we daily practice the habits of fear, rushing, urgency, multi-tasking, and must-complete-the-to-do-list, then those are the habits we strengthen. It's therefore not reasonable to assume that at some point in the future those habits will magically go away. (At least I haven't found a way to make it work. :))
What habits do you want to strengthen? The answer to that question will vary by person. The habits I'd like to strengthen are, for example, pausing, non-doing, reflection, authenticity, genuine creativity, listening, kindness, and compassion.
How do I do this and still "get my job done?" Well, I heard something interesting from a meditation teacher (Cheri Maples) recently: she's worked for many organizations, all of which undoubtedly have mission statements, but she's always lived by her own personal mission statement (which keeps her intentions clear and authentic). What a freeing thought!
I know Lawrence University has its formal mission statement, but what is my personal work mission statement? I've pondered this loosely during the summer, but now headed into the academic year, I thought it wise to actually articulate my intentions at work. So I just completed my work mission statement. Now I have a centered place with which to enter the school year and navigate the bevy of requests that might come my way. I know what I value most deeply, and that's where I'll spend my (limited) time. [BTW, I will soon discuss a "life mission statement"--stay tuned.]
Perhaps a personal work mission statement is something for you to consider? An anchor to hold you to your true intentions and what you most value? (It's so darn easy to get wrapped up in what other people value or what society values.) This can be done for conventional-type jobs and also for non-conventional-type jobs (e.g., stay-at-home parent, student, self-employed person). Of course, it takes time and energy to write the statement. (I actually found it a very helpful exercise.) And, of course, it takes great strength to live by the statement even when outside forces tell you not to. But remember, how we spend our days is how we spend our life. :)
As a just-for-fun tidbit, included below is a word cloud of my work mission statement (click on the picture for a larger view).
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