Bring Your Soul To Work

I often talk about the importance of bringing our full selves everywhere we go - whether it’s personally, socially, or professionally - because I believe this is necessary for us to genuinely and positively impact the people and the animals we serve.

The great American philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The soul is the perceiver and revealer of truth.” ?

When we are aware of how we’re feeling, thinking, doing, and being - we reveal our full self and truth. When we’re aware of how another person is feeling, thinking, doing, and being - we perceive their truth. In both instances, we create greater opportunities for connection, community, authenticity, and success because we are living from our heart.

Some of us may think that we can’t bring our full selves to work because it’s too risky, or we’ll be judged, or worse - ostracized. But in truth, when we bring all of ourselves forward, people connect with us more deeply and trust us more because we show our authentic selves.

Think about how freeing and empowering it would be to allow yourself to show up just as you are. Of course, we must be responsible and accountable for our thoughts, words, and actions, but it can be incredibly energizing to not keep parts of ourselves locked away until we come home at night.

One of the ways we can work to bring our souls to work is by thinking about what really matters to us - our values. Values are the characteristics we hold most dear and define how we want to act in best-case scenarios.

My values are family, adventure, spirituality, honesty, and faith - and I try to show up and behave in accordance with these. When I do, my days are filled with more awareness, joy, and ease because I’m allowing myself to be me.

Consider what values matter most to you. Maybe it’s important for you to be loving, kind, or of service. Maybe you value being happy, honest, or adventurous. Or perhaps, you want to be independent, competent, and successful.?Whatever your values are - they are foundational to who you are and your soul, so it’s vital for you to bring them with you.

During this chaotic time in our world, bringing our full selves (our souls) to work can create greater resiliency and connection - two things we could all use more of in these challenging times. So, I encourage you to consider how you can show up more fully by being mindful about how you operate physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Ask yourself these following questions on occasion to measure how much of yourself is truly present:

Physically

• What is my energy level?
• What is my body language communicating? Is it congruent with how I feel?
• Am I present in a conversation or am I physically disconnected by fidgeting or multitasking?

Mentally

• What am I paying attention to??Do I have ruminating thoughts or am I present to what’s happening in this moment?
• Am I listening to what is being said, or am I focused on my response?
• Am I bored, or daydreaming? How can I be more engaged in the present moment?

Emotionally

• What am I feeling and why? Am I sharing my true feelings with others?
• Do I have appropriate responses, or do I have uncontrolled/overly expressive emotions?
• Do my words and tone match my true feelings?

Spiritually

• Am I acting upon my values?
• Am I truly connected with others? If not, why?
• What can I bring to the situation that reflects my true self while also supporting the situation?

As Emerson said, “The soul is the perceiver and revealer of truth.” ?

Have you ever met a person who, when you’re speaking with them, you feel as if you’re the most important person in the room? You feel this way because that person’s soul is fully present with you. They are not distracted or preoccupied. They are simply in the moment with you and are perceiving and revealing the truth of that moment.

If you want to try the practice of bringing your soul to work - make some time each day to pay full attention to yourself or another person. You can set up parameters to create success by saying you have 5–10 minutes to be fully present. Then ask thoughtful questions, listen openly, share authentically, and be aware of your four realms during the process.

In this practice, when you show up fully - you invite the other person to do the same. And when we all show up with our souls leading the way, we are empowered to live and work with deeper levels of awareness, joy, resilience, possibility, creativity, and learning.

I encourage you to make time to take care for yourself and others by bringing your soul forward and living from your heart.

Be well.

Turpin