An Odyssey Renewed
10.26.2005 | Chris Bailey
As I reflect on the few posts I’ve written in the month of October, I believe I’ve come to some understanding of why I’ve struggled to write more…I’ve lost my way. What exactly does that mean? Well, for starters, I haven’t been true to the original purpose of this blog. I never wanted for this to be just a garden-variety forum for talking about workplace, career, and leadership issues.
Instead, I intended to create a sacred space here to authentically discuss and generate provocative dialogue on livelihood. I desired to not only elaborate on the concept of soulful work, but challenge you and myself to practice it. I craved the community that can only come through an open revealing of myself and my dream that each person know the gift of meaningful work.
A rather lofty vision? You bet. Scary as hell? Oh yeah. It’s a journey that will mean going directly against some very ingrained social, economic, cultural norms. It will mean making changes within myself. It might just mean pissing some folks off along the way (but trust me, it will come from a place of love). And yet, I grow more and more confident in the knowledge that this journey, this path is why I am here. It’s the core of my own purpose in this world. Where the path ultimately leads, I’m not certain. But then, isn’t this how all great odysseys are?
7 Responses to “An Odyssey Renewed”
Leave a Reply
Oooh, livelihood is a rich word. You just gave me one of those epiphany moments where a common word suddenly smacks you with its importance. Thx…
Jeremy, you’re most welcome. And you’re right: it is a word filled with richness. It expands the work we do, the career we’re in and encompasses our whole being. In this instance, there is no separation between work and life…they become singular to our whole purpose.
Christopher – The fact that you’ve found your path is phenomenal! The thing is, I don’t think you have to drive 100 mph on it. Relax, reconnnect and don’t be so hard on yourself.
And like the Odyssey of Odysseus is likely to have many challenges and pitfalls, along with many wonderful adventures and insights. Good luck!
Glad to hear you’re taking the time to examine your work and realign with your purpose.
Mission-drift has plagued almost every ongoing project I’ve started, and every blog I’ve yet begun has almost immediately turned into something other than I intended (not always in a negative direction, but always noticeable when I take a moment to review my work), so I can appreciate how simple it is to wander away from the initial goal.
I’m interested in seeing where this odyssey leads.
Chris – the thoughts you present in this post I have actually had myself. When I began blogging a few months ago it was a bit scary laying myself open to being reviewed and criticized by people I have never met. Like you I have pushed through these thoughts and continue to share my thoughts.
To pursue soulful work is something that I encourage anyone who will listen to do. Sometimes it becomes more difficult than it seems. We have to figure out what we are passionate about first and then figure out what to do with that passion. That is the toughest part – squeezing what we are passionate about into our everyday life. So many people get caught up in a job that they are not able to find time for soulful work.
When I ask people what they are passionate about I get blank stares more often than I can count.
Thanks for sharing your soulful work. I accept your challenge to pursue my own!
To Justin, Max, and Ken: welcome. Sorry to take a while to acknowledge your comments. I appreciate you reading and contributing to the conversation.
Justin, I don’t know if you’ve seen Oh Brother, Where Art Thou, but if you haven’t, consider giving it a viewing. It’s one of my favorites.
Max, I think a little evolution is inevitable and necessary to any blog. As I’ve changed over the past year, I think the blog has reflected those changes. It’s at those times that I lose my focus that I realize I need to step back and reassess the meaning of my own work and what I bring to this little corner of the blogosphere.
Ken, I think the best way to help folks find their own soulful work is through out own example. I was raised Baptist and to this day, I’m turned off by preaching (though I can slip into my preacher mode rather quickly if I’m not self-aware). For me, it’s far preferable to model the way than to talk the way.