When we engage in Work, we often start the process with a Purpose such as 'to make money and provide for my family', 'to engage in a productive activity that benefits myself and others' or 'to keep myself busy and stay out of trouble'. Then we chose the Structure of this Work and it can range anywhere from a '9 to 5' corporate job to the Peace Corps to just 'puttering around the garden'. We then actively engage in the Work, Implementing the Purpose and Structure that we have chosen. In the initial period of activity there is often enthusiasm, a feeling of newness and a sense of starting a new phase and leaving our previous work or previous activities behind. This may continue for a period of time... and then something invariably 'happens'.
What 'happens' can be a myriad of things and if you live long enough you'll probably experience most of them. It can be small or large, external or internal, momentous or insignificant, but the situation will change and you will find yourself in the next phase of Evaluation, looking back and assessing the situation before determining the next course of action or decision point. We may find ourselves lamenting the fact that something has 'happened' or rejoicing, but it is inevitable and a part of life - as the bumper sticker says, 'stuff' happens. :)
As one who has had a 'few' things 'happen' to me (haha) I have found that there is much to be learned by Observing what the Universe is 'telling you'. The challenge is to separate out what
you 'think' (i.e. Theory) from what the
Universe shows you is Known. It is our False Personality and 'ego' that wants to scream that what is 'happening' is all generated from 'out there' and external events, whether it be the economy, the government, your company, your boss, the weather, etc. However, it is what is inside of us and our vibration that attracts us to these events and situations in the external world. And it is our beliefs that can attach us to these events if we choose to do so, or allow us to remain detached and unaffected by the storms that blow around us.
In an effort to illustrate the distinction, I will use two common situations as examples:
Structural Changes at Work: As previously noted, after determining our Purpose for engaging in Work we chose a Structure for this Work (i.e. the job and workplace environment). However, as with everything in the Universe there is constant change occurring and sometimes this Structure can change, perhaps even abruptly. Your company could merge with another, your boss could quit, your office could move, your compensation plan could be adjusted, etc. The False Personality might be saying "Why me?" but the Universe may be 'telling' you something else. Perhaps this is ultimately a great opportunity and improvement for you, and perhaps it is time to find new Work.... how do you Know?
Under-Performance at Work: In this situation, it is the 3rd step in the process (Implementation) that is showing up for us. We have determined our Purpose and chosen our Structure, but after a period of time our actions are not generating the results that were expected. Whether you're not hitting your quota, you were put on notice for not showing up on time or find yourself dreading going to work every day, the external situation is not matching your internal desires and you can literally see/feel the contrast between the two. Again, the False Personality will want to put the blame elsewhere (i.e. your territory, your boss, the economy, your peers, etc.) but what is the Universe 'telling' you about you?
The process for sorting out the differences between the two (the False Personality and the truth of what is Known) is an internal one and is therefore assisted by such processes and activities as quiet time alone in nature, writing/journaling, contemplation and meditation. For those of us living a busy life we may not have this time readily available or scheduled. However, it is important to not skip over this step in the process and resist the temptation to act 'impulsively'. Doing so is likely to just 'move us down the road' several years where we find ourselves in a similar situation with very little learned or earned for all our efforts. If we act on what we think we know (Theory), we are acting out of the negative pole of this part in the process and often compounding the issue.
There is no 'easy answer here' and each person's internal process is different and likely to result in varying decisions and actions. I will suggest two 'rules of thumb' or best practices that may be of value:
1)
If you don't KNOW, do nothing. Unless confronted with a truly
life threatening situation (vs. ego or False Personality threatening), try deferring your decision making process until you can make the time to properly Evaluate and reflect on the situation. Sometimes, the Universe may even give you time time even if you resist it (in the form of a break between jobs or a summer 'off') - I suggest that you take it if you can get it!
2)
Be flexible - think FLOW. Sometimes all that is really occurring is an incremental shift or minor course-correction. By being inflexible to a changing environment we may lose the ability to use our current momentum to help us travel down the river to calmer waters. However, acknowledge to yourself that this current 'rough patch' may consume some more of your energetic resources and remember to give to yourself. Schedule that massage, vacation or go to the movies to give yourself the extra break - perhaps you can even use some of this time for contemplation or journaling! :)
Remember, there will always be another 'happening' and the Universe will always be 'telling' you something. The key is, are you listening?
All the Best,
Whitney
© 2010 All rights reserved, Whitney Merrill
"To realize that you do not understand is a virtue; Not to realize that you do not understand is a defect." - Lao Tzu