Author: Linda Ferguson

Most organizations have a Board of Directors. Carter McNamara, coordinator for this blog site, writes that some common responsibilities of Boards include:

• Determine the Organization’s Mission and Purpose
• Support the Executive and Review her Performance
• Ensure Effective Organizational Planning
• Ensure Adequate Resources
• Determine the Organization’s Services and Programs

What if you had a Spiritual Board of Directors that provided oversight of your mission, supported you in obtaining resources, helped you plan and manage how you offer yourself in service to others- all doing this with respect to how you are staying connected to your Higher Power?

Some of you may work with an executive coach or a job/life coach. They can be enormously helpful in keeping you moving towards your goals, helping you sort out difficult decisions, or providing guidance on a new path you may be embarking on. They may not be seasoned or experienced in helping you connect your work or life goals with your inspirational Source, your faith, or your alignment with your spiritual center.

According to Liz Budd Ellmann, Executive Director, Spiritual Directors International, spiritual direction helps us learn how to live in peace, with compassion, promoting justice, as humble servants of that which lies beyond all names. Spiritual direction exists in a context that emphasizes growing closer to God (or the holy, mystical, transcendence).

If you are yearning to merge the world of your work with the world of your spirit or Sacred Oneness- How about having a whole team to support your spiritual journey through your work?

Working with a Spiritual Board of Directors

How much more effective could you be with a whole team of guides to support your life purpose? There are people and beings who are there to assist you in your major life decisions, life transitions, work challenges or even daily quandries of where to put your energy and time. I’ve worked with such a Board the last few months and I’ve been amazed at how much more clear I’ve been able to see choices and how much easier opportunities and “coincidences” have happened. Your Spiritual Board is there to make those connections and synchronicities happen for you. They are there to guide and support you in fulfilling your life purpose, sharing your gifts with the world, so that you can fully live the wonderful glorious being you were meant to be.

These guides will help you stay in alignment with your larger life purpose. Find time each day to connect with their energy and their wisdom. Intentionally draw that closer to you. Align your consciousness with their life message and teaching. They are guides who can assist you in your waking, conscious state or in your dream time. Your job is to call upon them for guidance, support, inspiration and clarity.

Choosing Your Spiritual Board of Directors

Your Spiritual Board of Directors will be unique to you. They will be people, past and present, who have a perspective to share with you. By their life example, their actions and teaching, they guide you more clearly on how to use your gifts, in large and small ways, to fulfill your life purpose. Choose people you admire or from whom you wish to receive guidance. Read about them and what they’ve accomplished or how they lived their life. You may know them personally or simply be drawn to what you know about them from history books or contemporary writing.

Think of the sages, heroes and sheroes, whose wisdom speaks to you deeply. Some of you may already have gurus who support your life path. They will help you find more clear and direct ways to bring your talents, ideas, intuition, wisdom and energy to reach your goals and support the healing and transformation of the planet. Find ways to connect with them, learn from them, meditate on them.

Say Yes! to the numerous ways life is asking you to contribute your talents, ideas and energy.

Say Yes! to the opportunities and support being offered to you daily.

Say Yes! to showing up as the best you can offer the world, spiritually aligned with the Source of your being.

You are being called at this time to step more fully into Who You Are. Your Spiritual Board of Directors is there to assist you in doing that.

*****************

For more resources, see our Library topic Spirituality in the Workplace.

——————

Linda is an author, speaker, coach, and consultant. Go to her website www.lindajferguson.com to read more about her work, view video clips of her talks, and find out more about her book “Path for Greatness: Spirituality at Work” available on Amazon and from her website. Also available on her website- selected chapters from her new book, “Staying Grounded in Shifting Sand”.

For more information on working with a Spiritual Director, go to: http://www.sdiworld.org/what_is_spiritual_direction2.html

I recently posted a blog called “Lessons from the River Creatures.”

The posting was inspired by a parable about letting go of things you cling to so that you can reach your dreams or live more authentically. I want to continue on this theme as it relates to work situations where you may need to speak up or show up more authentically. Authenticity requires some level of vulnerability, perhaps not doing what the other River Creatures are doing. Faith will help you move through those vulnerable times.

For some of you, speaking your truth at work may be challenging. It may be difficult to raise concerns you have about how work is getting done. You may need to confront someone on behaviors that are toxic or unproductive. You may need to ask questions or challenge the prevailing view to find another way to accomplish your project. Perhaps you are called to be the lone dissenter on a popular proposal.

Think of a situation at work where you need to stretch yourself to speak up or show up in a way that is more in alignment with your values, beliefs or purpose. What will help you navigate effectively through the white water of that situation?

Showing up authentically, standing up for values that are in alignment with your own (or holding a company up to the values that they espouse) may require you to stretch your comfort zone. Doing this with tact, grace, clarity, respect, and understanding requires finesse. It may also require vulnerability to put yourself out on a limb or step into unfamiliar territory. Faith helps you have the confidence to do this. As one minister friend likes to say “I can either think my problems are bigger than God, or that God is bigger than my problems”.

Speaking your truth and being authentic at work may mean you practice behaviors you aren’t used to doing, such as constructively confronting someone. It can feel vulnerable and scary pushing your comfort zone. You may experience a void as you let go of old ways of doing things. This void is simply space for new energy, new behaviors, or new relationships to form.

Letting go and not clinging to what you have done in the past means being open to what will come next. This is where faith comes in. One definition of faith that I really like is – ‘going to the edge of what you know, and taking one more step.’ Faith is essential for letting go of the things you cling to, releasing the old patterns. You can call on angels or spirit guides to assist you, or seek consultation from a trusted adviser. Use whatever tools or approaches help build your faith as you venture into the vulnerable void.

Remember, the River delights to set us free, if only we dare let go.

Claiming the fullness of Who You Are, speaking your truth and showing up authentically creates healthy, more productive and rewarding work experiences. Do you want to stay clinging on the side of the river, enduring whatever stress or forces are pushing up against you? Or do you want to set yourself free and work more joyfully? The choice and Current awaits you.

********************

For more resources, see our Library topic Spirituality in the Workplace.

——————

Linda is an author, speaker, coach, and consultant. Go to her website www.lindajferguson.com to read more about her work, view video clips of her talks, and find out more about her book “Path for Greatness: Spirituality at Work” The paperback version is available on Amazon. NOW NEW!!! the pdf version of Path for Greatness is available for download from her website. ALSO, Linda’s new book, “Staying Grounded in Shifting Sand” is now available on her website.

If you are having one of those weeks with one frustration after another, you may find it hard to muster the energy to keep moving forward.

How do you re-connect to your Source of inspiration and energy when you are overwhelmed, unmotivated or feeling off balance?

One spiritual practice is this: Do something- anything- to bring your energy closer to the vibration of love and joy.

Here are some simple steps you can take to raise your energy and connect with love and joy:

1. Over your lunch break or on your way home from work, go to the store and buy a card for someone. It can be a funny card, a thank-you card, a missing-you card, a thinking-of you card- anything that helps you get out of your own skin and start thinking of people who make you smile or you appreciate in your life. Send them a note to let them know what they mean to you.

2. Make a quick trip to get some donuts, cupcakes, muffins or anything simple and tasty to share with your co-workers. Breaking bread is a communal activity. It helps bring people together and breaks the routine of work. You can get healthy foods too, it doesn’t have to be the sugar that lifts your spirits.

3. Save a funny YouTube video on your computer or cell phone that you can see on a break. Just stretching your face muscles from a frown to a smile can shift your energy. You’ll be surprised how much stress you carry in your body and your subconscious. Be aware when you hold tension in your face, shoulders or back. Shift the frowny face to a smiley face and you’ll raise your energy towards joy.

4. Don’t do this while driving… but some time during the day, close your eyes and breath deeply. Think of the last great vacation you took or the dream vacation you’d love to have. Go there in your mind. Breath in the joy and satisfaction you’ll get going to that place. Open your eyes and remember- that happy place is just a thought away. As Caroline Myss says, ‘Happiness is an inside job” – You can choose it any time you want.

5. Ask a co-worker to tell you a story of a time they were really happy, or felt a lot of joy. Bring your focus to what brings them joy, a smile, a good feeling. This will help you get out of your own head and connect on a heart level with someone else at work.

Try these out some time when you feel overwhelmed or burned out. See how it works for you.

Special Note: We posted a reader poll last week and would like your feedback. Please click here to complete the poll http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SRTHMSD It will only take 2-3 minutes to share with us your reactions to our blogs. We want to know what topics you like to read and what ideas you’d like us to cover. Thanks for helping us know what would be valuable and meaningful for you.

*******************

For more resources, see our Library topic Spirituality in the Workplace.

——————

Linda is an author, speaker, coach, and consultant. Go to her website www.lindajferguson.com to read more about her work, view video clips of her talks, and find out more about her book “Path for Greatness: Spirituality at Work” The paperback version is available on Amazon. NOW NEW!!! the pdf version of Path for Greatness is available for download from her website. ALSO, Linda’s new book, “Staying Grounded in Shifting Sand” is now available on her website.

One of my all time favorite parables is from Richard Bach. It is the story of the river creatures in his book, Illusions.

Here’s a summary of the parable:

Part I Clinging to the Rocks

There are some river creatures who cling to the rocks in the river. They know nothing other than clinging to the rocks. One day one of the river creatures exclaims aloud, ‘I’m tired of clinging. If I keep clinging to these rocks the rest of my days, I’ll die of boredom’.

The other river creatures say to this one, ‘If you let go, the river will carry you away. You’ll be smashed into the rocks and die for sure.’ To which the river creature responds, ‘There must be something more to this life than clinging. If I have to take my chances and be smashed into the rocks, so be it.’ And with that he let go of the rock where he had been clinging his entire life…..

What do you cling to? What holds you back from going after your dreams? What are you most afraid will happen if you let go of the life that you know and try a new path?

Part II Letting Go and Floating

The river creature does let go and at first is smashed about and thrown against the rocks. But over time he learns to float. He loves floating effortlessly, letting the current take him where it will. One day he comes to another group of river creatures further down stream. They see him float by effortlessly and exclaim, ‘Look a river creature just like us. Yet he does not cling.’ and ‘He has no fear of the rocks or the current. How does he do it? ‘ The river creature replies as he floats peacefully, ‘The river delights to lift us free if only we dare let go.’

When have you completely surrendered and found that a problem resolved itself without any further struggle? How does your faith support you to follow your dream? What can you let go so you move effortlessly through the challenges of your day?

Part III – Lessons from the River Creatures

1. There is no need to cling to what you have always done. There is no need to do what everyone else is doing. There is only a calling for you to step into the power and splendor of Who You Are. It is up to you to step into your radiance and glory.
2. The opportunity always presents itself for you to take another approach, shift perspective, change gears.
3. You are the only one holding you back. You are the only one who can set you free from your self-limiting beliefs, victim identity, not-enoughness thinking, they-won’t-let-me mindset.
4. There are ample opportunities to grow, stretch, reach, claim. It is up to you to do it and
5. You will always have the support of the Current to take you where you need to go.

The river delights to lift us free if only we dare let go.

Please share with us in the comment section below your story of how you have set yourself free.

We’d like to hear your stories of working spiritually. Please write to us to share how you integrate your spirituality with your work so we can share your story in future blogs.

*******************

For more resources, see our Library topic Spirituality in the Workplace.

——————

Linda is an author, speaker, coach, and consultant. Go to her website www.lindajferguson.com to read more about her work, view video clips of her talks, and find out more about her book “Path for Greatness: Spirituality at Work” The paperback version is available on Amazon. NOW NEW!!! the pdf version of Path for Greatness is available for download from her website. AND…. Linda has recently completed her new book, “Staying Grounded in Shifting Sand”!!! It is now available on her website as well.

To achieve the impossible dream, try going to sleep.
Joan Klempner

It is better to sleep on things beforehand than lie awake about them afterward.
Baltasar Gracian

I am inspired by a recent weekend get-away to write about the spiritual and performance benefits of sleep and dreams. I got two good night’s sleep and felt more renewed to come back to work. When was the last time you came to work fully rested? Did you feel a bit more patient, empathic, joyful, open, attentive, focused, compassionate, affirming? Sleep deprivation on the other hand leads to irritability, attention lapses, lack of focus, and poor performance on various mental tasks.

Some people get their best insights in the early waking period. It’s a time to journal, meditate, or access emerging ideas while your head is still clear. Perhaps you’ve gotten a creative approach to a problem or shift of perspective while in the shower or quietly sipping your coffee at breakfast. This time of morning is when you move from a deeper relaxation and slower brain wave to your waking goal-oriented thinking. Take advantage of this time before your monkey-mind kicks into gear.

When you are really rested you also tend to be happier, more energetic and more fun to around. Why not get more sleep?! Add extra fun, zest and joy to your work by getting more sleep. You’ll probably be nicer to others and more pleasant to be around. Think of it as a gift you give to yourself and your co-workers.

Get sleep, be happy. How’s that for a mantra?

Pay attention as well to your dreams and how you can gain insights to challenges at work. You may keep a dream journal to see if there are any recurring themes that can illuminate an area of your life you need to focus more on.

I worked with a friend who was studying with a Shaman. She learned to journey into the alternate reality of the dream state to do healing for others or get clarity on life challenges. For several weeks we would set our intention at night to meet in the dreamtime to exchange information or get clarity on an issue we had going on during the day. I found several new insights emerged when I set an intention before going to sleep. See if your dreams have anything to tell you.

Sleep and dreams can support your spiritual practice and your work performance. See what happens in the next week as you use this time for your renewal, greater clarity or insights. Let us know what comes up for you.

And if tonight my soul may find her peace in sleep, and sink in good oblivion, and in the morning wake like a new-opened flower then I have been dipped again in God, and new-created. D.H. Lawrence

Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake. Victor Hugo

**************************

For more resources, see our Library topic Spirituality in the Workplace.

——————

Linda is an author, speaker, coach, and consultant. Go to her website www.lindajferguson.com to read more about her work, view video clips of her talks, and find out more about her book “Path for Greatness: Spirituality at Work” The paperback version is available on Amazon. NOW NEW!!! the pdf version of Path for Greatness is available for download from her website. Chapters 1-5 of “Staying Grounded in Shifting Sand” are now available on her website as well.

This passage is taken from my forthcoming book – Staying Grounded in Shifting Sand. My book is based on the premise that we are spiritual beings who navigate through our daily earthly experiences to discover or create wholeness, transformation, and joy. A key ingredient to staying grounded in shifting sand is to remember Who You Are as a soul being and to remain connected to your Source of wisdom, compassion, forgiveness, joy and love.

“I’d like to explore how to work spiritually when you know you are a spiritual being on a spiritual journey. From this vantage point you can reframe how you work and why you are here. Those of you who have awakened to your soul journey, you already have made a commitment to use your work life for your important personal transformations and help others in their process as well.

It is hard for some people to fathom working spiritually when you are in the middle of conflicts, power trips, or personal agendas at work. Working spiritually doesn’t mean that you walk around in a blissful state all the time. Sometimes you may feel that the most spiritual you can be is to keep praying for strength to endure until you can see your way out of a situation. Spirituality at work involves diligence, patience, and clarity as much as compassion, authenticity, and forgiveness.

Conscious Evolution

You consciously evolve when you are aware of opportunities to change old patterns that no longer work or expand your growing edge. Conscious evolution takes place at work as much as in any other domain of life, particularly because we spend most of our waking hours at work. You often don’t choose those with whom you work. Too many people find themselves working in toxic work environments or unhealthy organizations. You are put into situations of swirling energy that need to be carefully tended. Learning how to navigate through such conditions and/or knowing when to leave requires careful spiritual discernment. Your work life offers you tremendous opportunity to practice your spiritual truths.

If you are bothered by someone or in the middle of a conflict you need to consider what hot button is getting triggered for you. That is where important spiritual work is for you at present. At a minimum you can learn to be honest with your feelings and speak your truth with compassion and wisdom. The bottom line (figuratively and literally) is to awaken and remain open to your spiritual unfolding. Be intentional about your own growing edge in the midst of chaos and conflict. That’s your spiritual work that needs to be done in addition to any projects or job assignments you’re given.

Seeing Co-Workers as Spiritual Beings

When we remember our work life is integral to our spiritual journey, we see ourselves and others as soul beings and know we are all here to learn lessons for our conscious evolution and spiritual growth. Here’s a visualization you can use to reframe how you see your co-workers.

Imagine your work colleagues as soul beings. Greet them by name and thank them for being part of your work. Affirm that you are each there for a purpose to help one another in your spiritual journey… Surround them each in a gold or bright colored light. Send them energy and thoughts of joy, care, compassion. Send them on their way with the thought that they are a perfect expression of who they came here to be. Thank them for being teachers, guides and supports for your spiritual journey to practice compassion, offer peace, and share joy.

Remember that you are exactly where you need to be to live out the spiritual journey you came to experience for your conscious evolution. Step in to it, celebrate it. Rejoice in being the bright beautiful being that you are. We work as spiritual beings through our heart, mind, and hands. Or as Kahlil Gibran more eloquently wrote, “When you work, you are a flute, through whose heart the whispering of the hours turns to music.”

*****************

For more resources, see our Library topic Spirituality in the Workplace.

——————

Linda is an author, speaker, coach, and consultant. Go to her website www.lindajferguson.com to read more about her work, view video clips of her talks, and find out more about her book “Path for Greatness: Spirituality at Work” The paperback version available on Amazon. NOW NEW!!! the pdf version of Path for Greatness is available for download from her website. Chapters 1-5 of “Staying Grounded in Shifting Sand” are now available on her website as well.

One of the reasons I got interested in writing about spirituality at work is that we spend so much of our waking hours at work. Why not enjoy it? Joy is a foundation for having energy for what you do. It’s amazing to me how many people still believe that they aren’t supposed to enjoy work. Perhaps you grew up hearing a parent say, ‘that’s why they call it work’. Check your beliefs and the messages you were given about work. Did you learn that work is supposed to be endured or enjoyed? Your beliefs about work drive the energy you bring to your work. You have a chance to re-write that script for how you want to work and what energy you bring to your work.

Path for Greatness: Spirituality at Work

In my first book, Path for Greatness, I wrote about aligning your gifts, purpose and passion. One way I believe people can work spiritually is by finding greater wholeness, meaning and connection in their work. Seeing the positive ways you impact others through your work helps you connect with a larger meaning and purpose in your work. How are you using your gifts to make a difference in your workplace? Look for those small or large ways that you positively impact others through your work.

Here are a couple ideas for you to energize your work (and life) by examining how you are using your gifts, purpose and passion:

1. Take inventory of what your gifts are, large and small. Have colleagues or people who know you well tell you what traits, strengths or unique attributes you have. Ask them to share a story about a time when you made a positive difference to their work or life.

2. Get recommendations on LinkedIn from colleagues, customers or business partners. This is a good way to learn what others think are your strengths and talents.

3. Once you get clear on what you offer to others, how you contribute to their work or well-being, then celebrate, celebrate, celebrate the positive impact you’ve made on other people. Give yourself a High-Five! Recognize that what you do matters.

4. Make a time line of your work and schooling to date. Indicate those events when you felt really excited about what you were doing. See if you can find a pattern for those things that bring you joy and energy.

5. Look at the activities you do now in other aspects of your life. What would you like to have more time to do? Where is your deeper hunger? How can you carve out more time to do those so you can fill your cup with more energy?

6. Are there things you are yearning to do that seem to call you consistently? Sit with those yearnings and still your mind. Ask your Inner Wisdom to show you/ make clear how you can use your gifts and passion. Keep your eyes and ears open over the next week and see what synchronicities occur, what signs you get to offer your gifts with passion and purpose.

7. Are there dreams you’ve had that you keep deferring? Look at what you can do this week to move at least one step closer to that dream.

Answer this list of ideas and see what gets stirred. Those stirrings may come from things you want to change. Let the stirrings create greater energy to birth something new. Moving from winter to spring, from dormancy to new beginnings, feel the deeper rumbles of things waiting to emerge.

As we approach the Spring Equinox, plant the seeds for what will bring you more energy in your work this year. Renew yourself with those things that bring you joy, passion, and greater purpose.

*******************

For more resources, see our Library topic Spirituality in the Workplace.

——————

Linda is an author, speaker, coach, and consultant. Go to her website www.lindajferguson.com to read more about her work, view video clips of her talks, and find out more about her book “Path for Greatness: Spirituality at Work” The paperback version available on Amazon. NOW NEW!!! the pdf version of Path for Greatness is available for download from her website.

I know many small business owners who struggled the last 12-18 months due to the economy. Many lamented at how rough it has been and are looking forward to business picking up this year. I took note about how they were using their downtime. Those who focused on their fears had a harder time with the uncertainty and doom & gloom news. Those who saw this down time as an opportunity to explore new options rode the waves skillfully through this unexpected downturn. These tsunami surfers used the down time to revise their website, learn about social media marketing, get more certifications, cultivate strategic alliances etc. It was interesting to note those business owners who specifically saw their down time as a God thing. They used it as a chance to deepen their faith or saw it as God’s grace that allowed them to pursue other opportunities.

Too often when we have downtime we quickly try to fill it with some other activity. Yet that isn’t how nature works. Nature follows with the rhythm of action and stillness, creativity and renewal. I recently completed the 40 days of the Winter Feast for the Soul program (see my January 11th blog). Those who joined me for weekly meditation gatherings said that they found the 40 minutes of daily reflection not only energizing, but very helpful to ground them throughout their day. We all felt that using the darker winter time for quiet reflection or meditation was beneficial for our soul. Now as the spring starts to emerge we are more ready and focused. Several participants said they want to continue longer than the 40 days because they found this quiet time so valuable and meaningful.

Downtime to renew your Spirit

Rather than seeing down time as time out from your work, look at ways you can use downtime to renew your spirit. Think of it as God Time. That is after all what the Sabbath represents, time to be quiet, reflect on your spiritual path, engage in prayers, meditation or spiritual practice to connect more intentionally with the Holy One. Our frenetic 24-7 business climate doesn’t seem to support taking a whole day off from busy activities to connect more intentionally with the Source of our being. Yet often it is in the silence, or the non-doing, that we get clarity, renewal, or affirmations for our next course of action.

Next time you are delayed from doing something, perhaps sitting in traffic, waiting for a delayed flight, or not getting projects started when you expected they would, look at this downtime as a gift. See it as an invitation to explore some aspect of your spiritual practice. Take this time to deepen your connection with your Higher Power. If you feel fear, stress, or uncertainty about your future, how can you use your down time to strengthen your faith?

You are always supported in your journey whether you are aware of it or not. Stay open to all the marvelous opportunities that await you when things don’t move forward as you planned. May you experience the gracefulness of sweet suspense in the unexpected slow times.

Bright Blessings unfolding for you.

*******************

For more resources, see our Library topic Spirituality in the Workplace.

——————

Linda is an author, speaker, coach, and consultant. Go to her website www.lindajferguson.com to read more about her work, view video clips of her talks, and find out more about her book “Path for Greatness: Spirituality at Work” – paperback version available on Amazon. NOW NEW!!! the pdf version of Path for Greatness is available for download from her website.

P.S. Thanks to all of you who commented on my last post about The Power and Meaning of Money. I’ve recently uploaded the first five chapters of my new book, Staying Grounded in Shifting Sand, on my website. Go there to get a copy of these chapters. I’ll upload the remaining chapters in the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned!

My post this week is based on ideas explored in my forthcoming book, Staying Grounded in Shifting Sand. I have a chapter on the ‘Power and Meaning of Money’ because I believe if you don’t fully understand the role that money plays in your life, you won’t be able to align fully your values and deepest desires with how you live your life.

I like to use Jacob Needleman’s book, Money and the Meaning of Life, for class discussion in my business ethics classes. It is a fabulous book to get people to reflect on the power of money in their life, and more importantly, on the beliefs they have about money and what money represents. According to Needleman, we can never really use money well in our life if we don’t understand the meaning we derive from it. For some people money means security. For others it means status, respect, independence etc. Unless we know what money means to us we’ll never have a healthy relationship with it. Money will control you rather than you controlling your money.

Inner and Outer Worlds

In his book Needleman asks the reader to determine what use money has for their internal world and external world. Needleman’s idea of external and internal world corresponds to my description of the physical world (outer) and the spiritual world (inner). The more you integrate these worlds, the more authentic you’ll live and the more intentional you’ll be in how you use money. The external world is usually fairly easy for people to address. You see that you need money for transportation, housing, food and clothing. Those are the external ways you use money for things that support your material comforts, and your physical necessities.

What about your inner world, your spiritual life? How are you using money to support that? Are you providing the resources (money and other resources) to support a rich inner life as much as you support your outer world? If not, why not? Do you desire a rich inner world to the same degree you desire a rich outer world? If not, why not?

Conscious Relationship with Money

It’s been said if you want to know what’s important to someone look at her calendar and her check book. The two commodities seen as most precious today are time and money. How are you using these to reflect Who You Are?

Money is perhaps one of the most powerful tools in our modern era for saying who we are, showing our inner world through our outer world of possessions and lifestyle. Look at your life today and see how money has defined who you are – by where you live, where you have traveled, the recreational activities you do etc. Do you share your money freely with others, strangers or family? Are you afraid of money – how to ask for it, how to use it, how to have it?

The power and meaning you give to your money determines how you live your life. Your ability to integrate a rich spiritual life with material possessions reflects how well you bring your values, beliefs and desires into your world.

I invite you this next week to examine more carefully how you use money as an expression of who you are. There is power and meaning to money much larger than most of us consider. Start to develop a conscious relationship with money this week beyond the typical exchanges you make for food and gas. What does your use of money say about your inner world and your outer world?

May you find balance, wholeness, and joy in bringing the fullness of your inner world to expression in your outer world.

Coming Soon! Sample chapters of my book, “Staying Grounded in Shifting Sand”, will be available FREE on my website (www.lindajferguson.com) . You will be able to purchase the entire book as pdf or select several chapters.

*******************

For more resources, see our Library topic Spirituality in the Workplace.

——————

Linda is an author, speaker, coach, and consultant. Go to her website www.lindajferguson.com to read more about her work, view video clips of her talks, and find out more about her book “Path for Greatness: Spirituality at Work” available on Amazon.

You will recall from my last post that the Eight Fold Path is a Buddhist approach to living and working to create greater peace, wisdom and compassion. The Eight Fold Path includes Right Livelihood, Right Action, Speech, Intentions, etc.

Many caring people don’t ever stop to question if what they are doing is the right thing, not ask the harder questions about what their company profits are used for, nor examine the end result of their business.

• If the system you are supporting through your work isn’t affirming life in some way, what are you called to do?
• If you aren’t working on a product or project that is life giving, life enhancing, are you doing the right thing with your time and talent?
• Is the ultimate outcome of your work life affirming or life diminishing?

Luckily, there is an approach to business that does affirm life- The Triple Bottom Line of People, Planet and Profits. The philosophy of the Social Venture Network (SVN) started by Judy Wicks and others is to ‘Do Well by Doing Good’. SVN includes many wonderful examples of Social Entrepreneurship such as fair trade companies and neighborhood empowerment businesses.

Social Entrepreneurship, along with the Triple Bottom Line approach, provide another option for running a business than the traditional view of corporate profits above all else. We’ve seen the destruction and damage done with the singular philosophy of profit maximization and the growth of the Military Industrial Complex. It’s time for another approach.

Check out www.svn.org to see a list of the SVN member companies and corporate philosophy- SVN Video You can also read wonderful stories of people living Right Livelihood in Yes! Magazine. Go to their ‘New Economy’ tab. (http://www.yesmagazine.org/ ) to read about companies who are using their entrepreneurial spirit to make the world more just and compassionate.

I welcome your thoughts and perspectives on this issue. During this time of economic re-structuring we have a unique opportunity to rebuild a new economy that serves everyone.

Share with us your reflections on Right Livelihood, The Triple Bottom Line, and Doing Well By Doing Good.

May your heart expand and express itself this week through your work – Happy Valentine’s Day

********************

For more resources, see our Library topic Spirituality in the Workplace.

——————

Linda is an author, speaker, coach, and consultant. Go to her website www.lindajferguson.com to read more about her work, view video clips of her talks, and find out more about her book “Path for Greatness: Spirituality at Work” available on Amazon.