2 posts tagged “enlightment”

Second Journey, The: The Road Back to Yourself

Joan Anderson

I have taken time off from work due to stress and as I spent time reviewing films such as What the Bleep and listening to Podcasts such as Marcus Buckingham's series on Finding your Strengths (Itunes and Oprah website) I became disappointed in that I did not receive the answers I had anticipated. I wanted to know what would be the next step in this journey of mine, if I left my job, which had become extremely unfulfilling

I read the Second Journey by Joan Anderson and received the following insight. Unclutter my life by letting go of everything that I am not totally engaged in. That is a great measuring stick for both activities and possessions.  I also realized that it is okay not to have the answers, it is only important that I am asking the questions and passionately committed to learning the answers and open to input; the answers will come. 

I know I do not want to stay with the Department of Corrections in the job that I occupy now; it does more than not satisfy me, it injures me and I feel like a victim rather than a leader.   I need to do some work on moving out of victim consciousness of passivity and paranoia, in addition to moving out of the job. Next I need to ask myself what do I want to do in the next 6 months? That actually is more difficult than for the rest of my life, mainly because the next 6 months involves action, and now.  Since I attempting to minimize stress, what will add the least stress for the most productivity? 

For now, I am leaning to going back to work for up to one more year, build up some money, get rid of some stuff, while I continue to look into other options.  This is only if I can do work in some other position than a parole officer working a caseload that involves arrests and field work.  I will be requesting reasonable accommodation to accomplish this, which will probably be a decrease in income and perhaps a less professional of a job, but it is necessary.

If I do accept another position within the Department of Corrections, and should they offer one, I know that I will not stay if I am miserable regardless of what sacrifices I must make to leave.  It is therefore essential that I stay balanced each day. I cannot come home from work each day exhausted with no joy or energy left for interacting with the community or friends and family.  That pattern had only led me to a place where even my dreams were about work, how alienating a world is that?  . 

The following is a great video that shows a human brain and gives insight on how to effectively use your brain to achieve joy.  Neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor had an opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: one morning, she realized she was having a massive stroke. The following video outlines her discovery.