Any Job is an Honorable Job

Seeing your job as an honorable job, adds more meaning and peace to your life. Also, seeing the honor in what you do now, creates an ideal foundation upon which a career change can be built.

At fifteen, my first job was that of a waitress at a local truck stop. One day, back then, I happened to meet the elementary principal of my past. She mentioned she had heard I was working part time and wondered at what.

Shamefacedly I mumbled, "Oh, I am just a waitress." That wise, old, stern headmistress said to me, "Teresa, any job is an honorable job. Don't you ever forget it!" And I never have.

Of course, seeing the honor in our job is not always an easy task.

Societal Values Demean our Work & Worth

Our societal values make it difficult to honor so-called menial jobs. Our sick societal values esteem big bank accounts, fancy houses, new cars, extended paid vacations, prestigious jobs, beautiful, youthful looks, and perfectly cloned behaviors. These societal values wring the worth from the vast majority of hard-working folk.

Create your own values by looking for the honor and worth in your work now. Any honest day's work is honorable and worthy. Finding the honor and goodness in everything you do builds dignity and honor within you.

Even if you wanted to career change but instead returned to the field you had hoped to leave, remember, there is huge honor and courage in this. Taking care of your family and responsibilities does not mean you are a failure. It means you are a responsible, caring human being.

If you cannot find any worth in your current job, that lack of worth will likely haunt your career change. Before jumping jobs, seeking fulfillment elsewhere, consider your current job as sacred work.

Your Job as Sacred Work

Monastic writers have described their day-to-day, menial work as the path to holiness. Your job is much more than a means to pay bills. Try envisioning your job as your ministry.

I have a very health conscious, spiritual friend who, at this moment in her life, sells lottery tickets, liquor and cigarettes in a liquor store to help pay her bills. Rather than bitterly resent her position, she has made it her ministry to create a positive atmosphere, giving kindness and care to every human being that passes through those doors. Not surprisingly, wonderful little miracles occur often. (And yes, she is also doing the groundwork to create new employment.)

Rarely are things what they seem to be on the surface. In every relationship, in every job, and in every life experience there is much more going on than meets the eye.

"The three foundations of spirituality:
hearth as altar,
work as worship and
service as sacrament."
A Compilation of Triads, Volume I John F. Wright

We are always being called to see the bigger picture and to grow nearer to our soul. To find more meaning within the work you do now, query your soul as to the larger view.

Ask Your Soul

Try sitting quietly for awhile. Practice letting go of passing thoughts while lightly noticing your breath coming in and going out. Relax your body and mind. Ask your soul, "What is my work really about. What work am I really doing here?"

When I had grown weary of facilitating the same career assessment program for nine years, I sat and asked my soul this same question. Within the whisper of my small, still voice I heard the truth, "You are bringing light and hope to people."

The work I was doing was not about self assessment tools or job search but about bringing light and hope to people. From that day onward the program was no longer repetitive for me and as I gained more depth and meaning in my work, so did the program.

When we see our work as sacred and honorable, we feel good about what we are doing and who we are. This goodness spins off into our family, workplace and ultimately the world. This also, builds an ideal foundation for career change, if we so desire. From honoring ourselves and our current work we can then successfully begin taking small steps towards change.

Teresa Proudlove

Teresa is the publisher/editor of Yourlifework.com encouraging people to listen to their inner guidance, be gentle with themselves and practice present moment awareness. Herein, we learn to navigate through life with more acceptance and peace.

Teresa Proudlove has been inspiring, supporting, and guiding over 3000 people upon their career and life path for fourteen years - with compassion and heart. This entrepreneurial woman also, successfully owned two clothing boutiques for ten years. A well-read columnist for twelve years, Teresa continues her successful writing and teaching today as an editor/writer.

---

Discontentment in the Workplace

While more people are finding employment, more employed workers are... Read More

Words. Words. Words.

They're only words. Some believe the school-yard taunt: "Sticks and... Read More

Knowing and Guessing

The line between average and exceptional work performance is dotted... Read More

The 10 Biggest Career Change Mistakes - And How to Avoid Them

Career change is no walk in the park.If it was... Read More

Rewriting Your Resume? 7 Easy Ways To Give Yourself An Upgrade

In today's competitive job market, a first class resume is... Read More

Career Advice On Freelance Writing Jobs

Sometimes the freelance writing jobs available are those that no... Read More

Whats Stopping You from Getting Your Next, Good Job?

This question comes up often when I'm working with someone... Read More

Conflicts With Your Boss Are Inevitable, But Can Be Healthy

If you are a pro-active, get-things-done type, sooner or later... Read More

What is Workers Compensation Fraud

What is FraudFraud occurs when a person knowingly or intentionally... Read More

Four Simple Steps To Better Results With Your Resume

Is every job description you read the same? No.Is every... Read More

How to Success On The Job from Job Hunting to Keep Your Job and Get Most of Out of It

INTRODUCTIONThis article will prepare you for the difficult task of... Read More

Career Change - Is Your Career A Good Fit Or Is It Causing Pain?

Do you leap out of bed in the morning looking... Read More

4 Internet Job Search Mistakes to Avoid

The Internet is the most powerful employment tool on earth.... Read More

Personality Testing; Myth and Realities

It is commonly believed myth that personality testing instruments can... Read More

Adapting To Change In A Changing World

Have you learnt a new skill or improved upon your... Read More

A Concept That Could Double Youre Income in Mystery Shopping

Do you want to double, or increase significantly you're income... Read More

No Experience? No Problem!

Are you a new graduate with little or no work... Read More

Strange Jobs Still Pay The Bills

Strange jobs? How do we define that? Years ago I... Read More

What To Do When You Get Caught Surfing By The Boss!

It has been a long morning and you need a... Read More

Make Your Career Offshore Proof

There has been a lot of talk recently about American... Read More

Job Interviews: Identifying & Using Your Most Important Asset

When you're looking to get hired or get promoted, what... Read More

So you want to work at home

There are several ways to work from home. Some of... Read More

Pebbles in Your Shoe Dont Only Hurt your Foot But Cause Back and Hip Problems!

CIO Magazine ran an article entitled, "Ten Mistakes CIO's Too... Read More

Top Ten Reasons to Start A Catering Business

There is little doubt that Americans still have a deep... Read More

Job Offers and Pay Negotiations

When you first get the job offer it will often... Read More

Growing Up On A Delaware Farm

Growing up on a Delaware farm was a wonderful and... Read More

60 Hour Work Weeks - Can You and Your Career Survive Them

In the 80s while I was an account executive for... Read More

Finally The First Online Job Agency in Mauritius

Mauritius is a small island in the Indian Ocean with... Read More

Five Mistakes That Can Derail Your Job Search

No matter how much time and energy you invest in... Read More

How to Give Job-Winning Answers at Interviews

Human Resources personnel, professional recruiters and various other career experts... Read More

How Much Can You Earn Working As A Proofreader?

Thinking of a career as a proofreader? Then you will... Read More

The Art of Selling Yourself!

To "sell" oneself on paper is not easy. Creating a... Read More

Necessary Psychological Skills When Working in the Executive Protection Field

The "hard" skills necessary for an executive protection specialist (EPS)... Read More