A friend of mine went into retirement after a successful career in business, but when I met him again he was reluctant to celebrate. I was moved because even though he was being celebrated for his career, I could still see self-doubt in his face. He told me that for all these years he was always trying to prove something to himself and others. After a deeper conversation, he admitted that his proving something was about self-acceptance and love.
Lotus Flower
I wonder how many times we take jobs (and choose our professions) driven by the feeling that we have something to prove rather than engaging in our work out of joy and vocation. Do you have something to prove? Is it time to embrace self-acceptance and love, and let your activities be the result of your desire to contribute to your and the world’s happiness?
Try this meditation:
1. Take a few minutes to breathe and acknowledge your state of being in this moment. Pay especial attention to the feelings that relate to how you regard your life and your work.
2. During meditation, acknowledge the reason why you do things, the situations that trigger you to please others, the moments of panic that give you a sense of living an empty life.
3. Slowly reclaim the self-compassion that comes when you choose to let your actions be guided by contributing to life rather than pleasing others. Embrace that decision, right here and now.
4. End by writing a list of actions to follow so you can change the habits and envision a new life for yourself.
Juan