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Monastery Musings: Direction

If you missed the May Monastery blog about DREAMS, click HERE.

I recently made an interesting connection between my clients putting off getting professional assistance and my own recognizing that it could be helpful.

In my last blog newsletter, I shared that I am a prolific nighttime dreamer. The first night at my Erie hermitage retreat, I recorded five of them and a record 17 pages in my dollar store fat book. The first four were unsettling, so I requested a positive, meaningful one. Dream #5: When I couldn’t get to the library from where I was despite seeing the escalator to it, someone gave me confusing directions, then walked me there; we went to another building, diagonally across sand to a hidden stairway below-ground entrance.

I woke up with the thought ‘I would have never found that on my own!”

So, I decided I would inquire about the spiritual direction resource available through the monastery. How odd I’ve not done that before.

My career counseling clients often come in with stacks of questionable quizzes, lists of books they read, and stories of the Internet rabbit hole. Their minds are still swirling, and no decisions made.

I often say we’re not born knowing how to make good career decisions, just like we’re not born knowing how to make good financial decisions. We can educate ourselves, but sometimes an outside professional perspective can help.

So this career counselor will take her own advice and that of her dream messages. In terms of career direction, THAT I can help with. I could do it in my sleep…but won’t.

June 8, 2023/by Karen Litzinger

Career Goals, Inspiration, News, Retirement

What are your dreams?

After settling in at my hermitage retreat in Erie this weekend, I picked a book out of my pile that filled half of my suitcase. I decided to begin with The Art of Life since it was written by Joan Chittister, a Benedictine nun from this monastery.

When I opened it to the May chapter, my heart quickened when I saw the theme of the chapter: DREAMS. First, I thought, “What a great topic for a career blog.” Then I asked, “Do I dream?”

I regularly ask my clients “What’s your dream job?” If that’s too hard, then “How would you like to spend your time if you won the lottery?” I go on to say that if you don’t allow yourself to think about the ideal, give it space, then it’s not likely to happen. Perhaps it can give a clue to a job direction or retirement idea. Or maybe it reminds about taking time for something enjoyable, including renewing an interest from the past.

Here are a few excerpts from the book:

“Dreams are the lifeblood of becoming.”
“Dreams are destinations toward which we bend out lives, not possibilities unfulfilled.”
“The difficulty of dreams is if we suppress them, we may live to regret the present.”
“The truth is it is the goals we nurture within us that determine the eventual quality of our lives.”
“Dream big, but realize that every great hope is achieved one small step at a time along the way.”
The Art of Life, Joan Chittister

Back to my question: Do I dream? I asked it because I think I don’t as a left-brain, busy type. I not only don’t take the time, but my mind doesn’t operate that way. For Myer-Briggs aficionado’s, despite being a counselor, I score higher on Sensing (concrete) not Intuition (more imagination).

I actually have a prolific nighttime dream life, sometimes with guidance and premonitions. Because I am so left-brain, insight best comes through the sleeping subconscious. When I have taken time to daytime dream, I’ve made audio recordings of visualizations, and found years later I was living my dreams.

Knowing my nature, I need to remove myself from daily life to give space for the unfolding of intuition, messages and dreams. So here I am at my favorite retreat site signing off from this handwritten blog, to perhaps dream.

I invite you to take some time to dream too.

May 18, 2023/by Karen Litzinger

Inspiration, News, Newsletter

Renewal Inspiration

In this season of spring, Easter, Passover, and Ramadan, I want to share an excerpt from my book on Renewal. Most of it is relevant whether you are in the job search or not. Please forward to any friends or family who may be in the job search. If you would like more information on my book, go to www.KarensCareerCoaching/Help-Wanted.

“Rest when you’re
weary. Refresh and
renew yourself, your
body, your mind, your
spirit. Then get back
to work.”
Ralph Marston

Finding the energy to keep going in the job search can be
hard. We must find a way to renew our spirits and take the
next step forward. Sometimes that may involve rest for the
body, mind, and spirit, yet too much rest can lead to excuses
and procrastination.

Sometimes we can be renewed by that which is around us if
we pay attention and allow ourselves to be in the right frame
of mind. Renewal can come from blossoming flowers in the
springtime, sparkling fresh snow in the winter, or through an
unexpected smile of a stranger. We remind ourselves that although
trees look barren in the winter, they are still full of life,
ready to come forth in the right time. Similarly, seeds of plants
take time to peek through the soil and time to bear fruit.

Even if you are weary from what appear to be fruitless efforts
in the job search, keep planting your seeds of eff ort. Plant
one more resume, phone call, and networking meeting. Water
them with positive energy, however hard to muster. Pay
attention to your seedlings and follow up as needed. Prune
negative interactions from your life that may choke your energy.
Have faith that at the right time for the right job, your
seeds of eff ort will be rewarded, and you will blossom with
your new opportunity.

Affirmation: I remember that life can spring
forth following barren times

March 31, 2023/by Karen Litzinger

Call: 412-977-4029 • Email: [email protected]

Monastery Musings: Direction

What are your dreams?

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