The High Road
Heavenletter #3185, entitled The High Road, elicited quite a few comments on the Heavenletter Spiritual Community Forum from people who quit their jobs in order not to compromise themselves.
Now, I'm a person who quit quite a few jobs because something wasn't quite right with them or the organization, and I had my standards.
Looking back, I quit too easily. Looking back, I think I was like being Bette Davis in a movie. I think I was turning myself into a heroine. I would leave in a huff. I'm sure I thought I was right, but now looking back, I think I was simply overly self-righteous. I certainly saw myself as virtuous, but now I don't see it that way. I am sure I thought I was taking the high road, but now I don't think so. I think I was making a fuss.
Was I motivated by my high standards, or was it my ego that made me quit? Did I quit because I thought myself just too good for a particular set of circumstances?
How do we know when it is right to leave or right to stay, even when everything is not ideal.
I certainly do think there are times to quit a job. I also think there are times to stay with a job even when you don't want to. But how do we know which is which?
Looking back, without doubt, I made a fuss where I definitely wouldn't now. And, yet, how do I know in terms of my life whether what I did was right or wrong? Oh, the road taken, and, oh, the road not taken.
What is this about standing up for ourselves? or standing up for our rights? When are we caving in? When are we doing what we have to do and there really isn't a moral issue? If the person I work for isn't all I would want him or her to be, do I have to quit? If the person I work for is a cad or a crab, do I have to quit? Does the employer have to be all I think he or she ought to be, or am I to learn acceptance and non-judgment?
But how nice to work for someone you admire and want to learn from. I've been fortunate with that too.
There are so many jobs that would be intolerable for me. So many environments. Nothing wrong with them but not happy for me. Not meaningful for me.
I used to do value clarification with my classes. Here was one of the exercises:
Of these three jobs, which would be the worst for you, and why? Which would be the best for you, and why? Rank them.
A. pickle inspector
B. car wash person
C. the person at the toll booth who takes the money
No right or wrong answer, of course. Just a way of finding out what matters to you.
Isn't there something weird about the whole concept of job -- filling a slot.
If you could pick the work you really want to do, what would it be? Given the choice, what would you be doing, do you know?
Of course, now I find myself doing what I would love to do with the Best Boss in the World and with the finest people I could ever work with. How I got here I don't know. Marvelous good luck that I fell into.
Back to the Heavenletter, The High Road. Where does judgment come in?
I finally figured out what judgment is in the sense of "Judge not." To my mind, it's not preference. It's not discernment. I think judgment has some ego components. I think it's judgment when I think I'm better than someone else because of what they do or don't do. I believe God is telling us that it's judgment when we feel "holier than thou."
Could I write advertising for a whiskey company or a cigarette company? Could I work on the atom bomb? Could I be in the military? Do I even know what I could do. Could I work in a field that I have issues with? If I were hungry enough, could I? How about you?
Comments
Dear Gloria,
I don't think I would like being a pickle inspector and would probably choose to wash cars. I'm so glad that "Chuky" seems to have vacated your home. It sounds like he/she has made our project or getting rid of stuff easier. I'll be there soon with my organizational hat and gloves and we'll get you ready for your trip. Blessings, Dianita
Apart from morality ( I have never been interested in it), I could do whatever work I loved. The fact is that I do not love any work. Is that immoral?
I personally am amazed at how unsatisfying everything is in the end. A few years ago, i wanted to be self employed. I wanted a good car, success, a nice laptop, some toys, free time, freedom in every way i could imagine and all of it has left me empty in the end.
Dad, however, has given me joy and contentment with nothing but Him and whatever is before me at the time.
With His Spirit i am content. I am happy. I am where i belong.
Thank YOU, Dad. thank You.
If I am not happy in the work I am doing, for whatever reason, I quit. Judgement?? I like some work. Not gardening. So I do no gardening work. Car washing, well if I connot Con my grandson into doing it and the car realy needs it I will do it and do it good even if it takes time. Ones I start I am happy and carry on. I have enjoyed my time at sea, every day something else never a dull moment and using your brains. Now in retirement I do not know How I ever had time to go to work. Try to be happy in what you are doing if not Quit and be happy somewhere else. Love you all Jack
Could be gratitude is the cure for judgment.
Whatever it is we're searching for, its nothing expected. These reruns are good for seeing how awareness shifts with each experience. There is that fully awake state that we all yearn for. At some point that yearning becomes so strong that detaching from conditions that cloud awareness becomes priority in our lives. Here it is not a judgment or choice, just a natural movement.
The more I contemplate about it, the more I see that the world is fine the way it is. It really isn't the world that must change. It is me that has to change.
Well, in my case,I am the only income now. I am years and dollars away from retiring. I am slowly working up the motivation begin sending out resumes to find a new job, different work that is closer to my home and heart.
I have two cats that offer me joy and laughter. In return I provide shelter and holistic food. Peanuts and bird seed for the squirrels and birds that come to my home and deck, that provide enjoyment for my cats. I have a mortgage and drive 3 hours a day to a job I don't particularly enjoy. Most days are crazy. And quite stressful. Many I work with will sabotage people at the drop of a hat.
Several days out of the week though, one of the clients who live in one (of 40) of our group homes comes in to the head office where I work, or I have a chance to go out to the home and have a mini-visit with them, while I am there.
These clients are developmentally challenged. Each one, no matter the severity of their disability has something to offer the world, and me.
They are my peace throughout the day. They will bring joy where there is none.
They have taught me what life can be like for someone who is judged whenever they go to the mall. Or to a theatre. Or to a restaurant, where they might not use the utensils "properly" or talk "too loud." And they will ask why people are staring at them with stern faces.
I worked directly with clients years ago and I can remember a fellow who had so many physical challenges,I don't know how he made the decision to get out of bed every day.
well, maybe I do. He used to tell me he didn't care what people thought of him, because he knew God loved him, and that was all that mattered.
The thing about applying for jobs is that you give yourself a blue star and a big hug for every resume you send out. That's all you can be responsible for, yes?
It seems to me that you love working with the people who need your services and you excel at it. Can you do that and closer to home?
A three-hour drive is too much.
With the love and service you give to your dear animals, I am going to send my animal visitors to you!!!
Loving you,
Gloria
Gloria, that's fine. I do generally keep my windows closed though (other than the screens), so Chucky and the bats might have a slight problem.
I have a pair of racoons that like to play at 2am and hang out in the maple trees. (they haven't asked to come in though).
the 3 hour drive is both ways. 1 1/2 each way. Yes, it is too far. And although I don't know what the next job will bring, it will likely be with people who need mine, or anybody's services. If not directly, then contributing somehow. I have a natural ability to communicate and understand even if they are non-verbal or quite challenged. My best work was in a behavioural group home with 5 adult men who were quite aggressive.
They had spent most of their lives in an institution, and we transitioned them into a new home. I have so many memories of their ah ha moments, discovering the new and never before seen.
I literally fell into this work in 1993 (at the ripe age of 38). Prior to that I had been working in the correctional sector with adult women.
This time around, I was not meant to have children of my own. These are my children. The innocent and defenceless, and animals.. My next course will be "Animal Communication."
In love & light,
Lynda