September
2008
Trusting Instincts
Recently I was offered a full time job in an agency serving youth and families in my local area.
I do have a passion for working with the underpriveldged population, so I considered taking it. However, as the interviews progressed it became clear that what I have to offer this particular agency wasn't as valued as I'd like it to be.
The temptation of a steady income clouded my thinking for a few days, and I told myself that what I want to do most was Help People. It didn't need to be in the way I am trained or with my particular knowledge or skills. Over time I realized I was wrong. It is very important to me to bring my gift to what I do, and important to have that gift recognized and valued.
So I turned the job down. Doing so went against everything my head told me about having a larger, steadier income and feeling more secure financially.
But since making my decision I am feeling at peace.
Parenting is a lot like that. When I help parents identify what is the best choice for them and their child, I often ask, when you think about one decision or the other, what does your body feel like?
I have them pretend they made a decision. And then track how it feels in their body: Do you feel light, closed, peaceful, relieved? Do you feel tighter, anxious, worried? Where are you feeling these things in your body? What happens when you pretend to choose the alternative? Is there a difference in your body? Do you have a more comfortable or less comfortable reaction internally?
And then, with this information I encourage more thought, and just to "sit with it" for a time.
Usually, even if the decision isn't the more popular one, the one that gets made is the right one.
Being willing to make the right choice often goes against what others think, or what you've been told. Despite that, you'll know you're in alignment with yourself by the peace you feel inside which is also communicated to your baby.
Peace out.