10 months since I last posted, I am taking up the mantle again. What a journey its been! With any luck, this is the beginning of my journey into a new world of work for me. My toddler daughter is now gaining independence, off to pre-school and its time for me to get back to myself.
Now that’s a bit of a strange thing to say as I’m not ‘going back to myself’. The myself of seven years ago has well and truly gone, replaced instead by a much calmer, happier, saner (is that a word?) person – thank goodness! However, this transformation does beg the question – where on earth does one begin to find a new working role for oneself.
I remain on my Spiritual journey, have managed to make a few leaps and bounds in the last six months – grateful for every one. Do I try and make some sort of living from the Spiritual work I’ve started doing, or do I take a ‘conventional’ job and keep my Spiritual work as a sort of hobby? I’m really not sure. I have serious doubts about my ability to maintain job satisfaction and personal happiness (i.e., stresslessness) in either role.
Please could you – my readership to feedback your personal opinions on my concerns – I feel very strongly that I need as many different view points as possible.
No 1 – If I go the Spiritual route, I will largely be working on my own –
a) I will remain ‘inside my head’, this has proved to be a particularly difficult place to be and I’m heartily sick of it. I do want to be out amongst other people now – exchanging ideas, information, having a laugh!
b) I will by the very nature of my work, be privy to quite a bit of personal information about the people I help. A few people have recommended I take a Counselling Role. In my experience so far, I have found myself doing just that – giving counselling and guidance. I don’t take a great deal of pleasure in it though. Its hard enough being me, without having to advise others. Having said all that, my personal experiences do mean I sometimes have useful information to pass on. However, I am VERY concerned about knowing that level of information about other people and I’m really NOT keen about being in the position of Counsellor. Maybe this stems from Counselling having formed the basis of so many ‘friendships’ over my lifetime – producing a deep seated wish to no longer be a one way receptacle for people’s ills. On the positive side, there are Spiritual protections that can (and will) be employed to minimise my exposure. That one sided receptacle issue remains ….
c) there is limited scope for paid creativity in this role and any communication with like minded colleagues will be outside the scope of paid work.
No 2 – If I go the ‘conventional’ route, (I have done this particular work before – over 20 years ago) so know that I will probably end up working on my own to a certain extent, but the nature of the role, will involve working for and with other people as well as sharing ideas. The particular role I have in mind speaks to my organisational and creative skills and I loved doing it at the time. However,
a) – will I be happy long term doing this, if I’m not following up on the Spiritual gift I’ve been given.
b) – the role contains a stress to provide a decent service and excellent customer experience, which in itself isn’t a concern, what does concern me is the ability to keep work and family life entirely separate. I DO NOT want to find myself throwing any negative energy at my family simply because I have work related responsibilities to fulfil.
On the positive side, both roles will be very satisfying, they both speak to my gifts in very different ways. There is no obvious way of combining the two.
So, taking stock. I’m being approached by a couple of people for Role 1 at present. That in itself has its practical limitations – though these can be overcome given mutual willingness and time. I haven’t put out feelers for Role 2 yet … as any work on Role 2 requires me to have more dedicated time – not something I will have for at least six months or so.
I look forward to responses please! Thank you!