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Business Etiquette, Inspiration, News, Newsletter

Love in Life and Work + Buddhist Monk Words

Beyond finding a job that you love, how can you bring love in the broadest sense to your current workplace or life? Practical advice comes from a Corinthians reading in the Bible where we are reminded that love is patient and kind, trusts and hopes; it is not boastful, easily angered or a record-keeper of wrongs. I was inspired this Valentine’s Day to share a bit about love after hearing the address at the end of the Buddhist “Walk for Peace” which concluded this week after a 109-day, 2300-mile journey that began in Texas.

The leader, Bhikkhu Pannakara, invited us make a difference with five seconds of mindfulness. He then shared insights for each of five attributes: Kindness, Compassion, Love, Harmony, and Hope. If you would like to hear this five-minute section of the address, CLICK HERE, and go to the 7 minute and 30 second point.

Here are the Buddhist words shared on Love:

Choose Love.

Love means children grow up safe.

Love means elders live with dignity.

Love means we do not turn away when someone is in pain.

Start with truly loving yourself. Start with that.

Love the person in front of you whether you know them or not.

That is how love creates a more loving world.

As a career counselor, I will share insights inspired by the Corinthians reading above. Love at work can mean….

…being patient with colleagues who make mistakes or are having a bad day

…speaking with kindness to all with whom you interact

…trusting those you supervise and not micromanaging

…having a positive attitude of hope rather than negativity

…not boasting of accomplishments and remembering to give others credit for ideas

…keeping anger in check and communicating respectfully about concerns

…addressing then letting go of past issues rather than keeping records in your mind

The Buddhist monk concluded that by our individual acts of love, kindness, compassion, harmony and hope, we can create peace and change for one person, one family, one community, one country and the world. And I will add: one workplace.

Inspiration, News, Newsletter

What Brings You Joy? Balance? Hafiz Poem

Thanksgiving weekend got me thinking about the balance of joys and sorrows that we experience. It is a great joy to take my sister-in-law annually to State College, PA for a Thanksgiving visit with her son (my nephew) and family. This year they decorated for Christmas early, and I was captivated by the dozens of holiday photos of their two children. It brought me such joy, I took photos of them hoping I’d be inspired to share in a newsletter blog. The theme of joy is also on my mind as I prepare a Unity Center church talk for this Sunday on joy in recognition of December 7 National Joy Day. Make it a point to treat yourself to joy and spread joy!

Yet life is full of contrasts, and sorrow is a reality. Another Thanksgiving tradition of mine is to acknowledge the realities of our complex history with the Indigenous people of this land. Usually I do so with a monetary contribution and lately also with a resolve to learn more about our shared history.

This year, I watched the stunning 2024 National Geographic award-winning documentary, Sugarcane. It illuminates a community breaking cycles of generational trauma during an investigation into abuse and missing children at a nearby Indian Residential School run by the Catholic church. Although set in Canada, there have been 526 of these boarding schools identified in the United States established by the government and Christian churches in the 18^th and 19^th centuries. The history and purpose was to wipe out Indigenous culture and assimilate children into the dominate white culture, dramatically noted by Richard Henry Pratt founder of the Carlisle (PA) Indian Industrial School: “Kill the Indian in him and save the man.”

So you are not left in darkness, I offer some balance through one of my favorite poems by 14^th century Persian poet Hafiz that encourages joy despite sorrow.

The Sacred Dance for Life by Hafiz

I sometimes forget that

I was created for joy

My mind is too busy

My heart is too heavy

Heavy for me to remember

that I have been

called to dance

the sacred dance for life

I was created to smile

to love

to be lifted up

and lift others up

O sacred one

Untangle my feet

from all that ensnares

Free my soul

That we might

Dance

and that our dancing

might be contagious.

Reflection: How might you lift others up in your career and in your life?

Career Goals, Inspiration, News, Newsletter, Retirement

Navigating the Cycles of Life: Endings and Beginnings

This autumn has caused me to reflect about the natural cycle of endings and beginnings. Around the time a close friend died, my neighbor had her baby and I attended my granddaughter‘s baby shower. What endings and beginnings are you experiencing? What are those that simply happened and those that you can or did create?

Perhaps you or someone you know are contemplating whether to end a job and look for a new one? Perhaps you’re contemplating retirement? Or thinking about what activities to bring into your life for more meaning? Decisions and new beginnings involve risk. It’s often easier to stay with what’s comfortable even if it’s not satisfying. Yet life is short. Time ticks away.

As we move into a season of gratitude and winter celebrations, appreciate what you have and look toward greater joy.

I’m happy to help as needed with career counseling. And no matter what your stage or age, poet Mary Oliver offers this reflective challenge:

“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” Mary Oliver, The Summer Day

Call: 412-977-4029 • Email: Karen@KarensCareerCoaching.com

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