It`s never been more practical to be spiritual

Hello, my name is Jordan, and I`m a workaholic. In fact, today is the 1st day of my 40th year serving as an executive recruiter. I acknowledge I will always be an addict. I confess to a lack of ideal consistency practicing what I preach.

Recently I slipped. I morphed back into a controlling, manipulative version of myself. I expressed ill will, leaving me and my client angry. The minor nausea I experienced woke me back up.

I’ve come so far, and I`m not disappointed by my relapse. I`m aware of my foibles and the way that interaction made me feel. The grateful me trusts life to unfold gracefully. That knowing allows imperfections. I accept my weaknesses as a part of my journey.

I started feeling sick to my stomach as I spoke and behaved from a place of scarcity and fear. My self-awareness no longer allows me to hide from the ramifications of my thoughts, words and actions.

The emotions I let surface were a manifestation of my insecurities and my ego was crying out to be heard. That nasty memory is now just a couple hundred threads of my conscious thoughts amongst millions that had come before and will come after. Nothing more! I`m thankful for this realization.

Our minds are always with us. Mine is often cluttered. So, when I choose to stimulate it, I reach for self-affirming, happiness inducing thought leaders quoted throughout the following pages. Had I opted to be stuck on that workaholic warpath only I would suffer. Being present and receptive to shifting brings relief and immediate healing. It`s taken me 65 years to begin to figure this out. Now I`m committed to working on these changes.

My work may help you redefine your work. Start by dropping other expectations of your income, job status, performance, etc. Being objectified by your peers/bosses and feeling alienated from 9 to 5 are not your fault. Self-inspired/empowering “career-path” options exist for you.

What I call The Great American work-ethic myth has had me trapped for decades. It`s time to shine a light on the constraining rituals of our workplaces. My own career path has exposed me to so many misaligned, unfulfilled candidates and clients. But this shift requires all of us to be disciplined and determined!

I’ve been blessed to have found this dazzlingly beautiful trail-head. I`m inviting you to walk with me. That`s where the grit comes in. One persistent, faithful step after another. One of my teachers put it perfectly. “Grit will lead to grace”

We all have the power of choice every second. Until I slowed my monkey brain down the chatter kept me from hearing and seeing the stories I was telling myself and thereby living though. Being introspective has enabled me to stop denying my need to act out impetuously. Now that I see these immature acts more clearly, I`m embracing the value of sincerity. That’s where the magic starts.

“When the inside world is realized. Your outside world will shower you with the glory of The Universe “(Guru Jagat, RA MA TV)

Why Now?

COVID-19 is a once in forever, wildly infectious virus. But our society-wide acceptance of it as a death-sentence reflects and magnifies our collective weakness. Oppressive, pervasive media messaging makes us more prone to the disease`s impact. Fear produces stress, which in turn creates cortisol levels to rise, weakening one`s immune system. It’s no wonder Coronavirus has ravaged thousands!

Government mandates are punishment enough. Authority after authority pile on with messages like “we need to be worried, and we should be scared”. Just this week as I glimpsed at the stock market on CNBC the scroll along the bottom of my TV screen pronounced “DHL confirms limitations and concerns about COVID-19 vaccine distribution”.

Major news outlets find ways to turn even the most positive developments into attention-grabbing nightmarish headlines. But who`s attention are they grabbing? Do you truly benefit from “staying informed”? Is your soul paying a price?  We can change the station, or better yet, our receptors and choose to look within for peace of mind.

I used to make the mistake of dwelling on the motivations of the masterminds and money at CNN, Fox News etc. But I’m reminded of my own workaholic, greedy past tendencies. So, I’m grateful to have found my voice and contribute to expansive realities.

My aspiration is to counter the fear and fan the flames of healing. Just know you have the power within to experience the world in ways you choose to live.

That awareness leads to freedom of choice. May that freedom lead you to pausing and patiently looking at ways your thoughts create feelings and beliefs and if left unchecked, behavior patterns. Worrying too much or being consumed by fearful thoughts may lead to extreme anxiety or depression. Thoughts of hope and happiness will lead to enlightening, hopeful ideas. 

Which set of experiences do you choose?

As we approach the 4th quarter of 2020, we`re all looking for inspiration. I find it through tools like meditation, yoga, journaling and getting out in nature. What vehicles interest excite encourage you? Start some inside work and they`ll appear.

Addictions accompany chaotic, stressful lifestyles. To maintain balance, I believe it’s necessary to overcome negativity and counter fear. Nourishing and uplifting food, exercise, podcasts and more energize me and bring me joy.

For me, renewal is a daily practice.

I know because my name is Jordan and I`m a workaholic!