Teacher wellbeing and self-care are topics that need to seriously be looked at, discussed and acted upon in the profession. Today teachers are under a lot of pressure; they feel stress and overwhelm and with this there is a feeling of giving up or lack of true commitment to teaching.
Many good teachers who have a great passion and understanding for children end up leaving the system because the system structure breaks them in a way that they no longer feel the same commitment to when they first started teaching.
In the past I found full time primary school teaching overwhelming. I lived exhausted, stressed, devitalised, ill and with a feeling of being unable to cope. I resented any ‘extra’ work that I was asked to do and struggled through the terms only to seek relief and respite in the holidays. I blamed the system, sometimes the head teachers, definitely the government… and even at times the difficult kids and parents! All the teachers found it tough, but that’s teaching, right? I wanted to stop the world turning just so I could catch a breather.
It was like a constant bombardment from the outside and a withering away on the inside. I had lost my commitment to work and it was a challenge getting up in the morning.
After ten years working like this, the turnaround came when I realised that if I continued to live like this my body would simply pack up. I still loved being with the children but I felt like a dried up rag with nothing left of myself to offer. I was fatigued; I knew that if I didn’t stop I could run the risk of becoming ill. I decided to get part time teaching work, which helped to create a gap with the intensity, and look for support.
I began to comprehend the problem wasn’t with teaching but within myself. I wanted to blame everyone for how I was feeling without taking responsibility for my choices and how I was living.
I began to meditate to reconnect to my innermost and from this I started to learn how to deal with the constant noise and chatter in my head. With the support of the Gentle Breath Meditation l also found how to take steps to nurture myself through sleep, eating and gentle exercise rhythms in a more dedicated and deliberate way than I had ever done before.
I had always believed that I was exhausted from the sheer volume of work that needed to be done, but I came to realise that I could handle the amount of hours I was working in a day and that my exhaustion was stemming from an inner battle of anxiety, and from the feeling that I was not enough.
There was an endless need to keep up with my colleagues and to prove my worthiness by doing a good job. I also was emotionally involved with everyone around me, wanting to help them or make them feel better, which added to the constant daily drain.
When I let go of the need to prove myself, or get approval or recognition from others and the need to get involved in other people’s problems, I discovered myself – the strength, love and beauty I have within. It is something that can be lived and I feel is inherent in all of us, to which we can all connect. This was a period in my life of complete metamorphosis and a huge change around – and yet it was so very simple, as I was just returning to a commitment to, and care of, myself. The constant bombardment of life was still there but on the inside there was no withering, just a quiet, strong knowing of myself.
I learned that I wasn’t broken and was already whole. I just needed to re-connect to it.
This inner connection that started from the Gentle Breath Meditation has enabled me to face all the issues I originally wanted to run away from. I have just completed my third year back as a full time primary school teacher and I have loved it! I now feel committed to my job and working full time has actually made me feel more solid, steady and strong in my body: so much so that I have taken a position as Senior Teacher in a local school, which years ago I would have not touched for anything. I feel prepared and ready to deal with the challenges that it will bring.
Working full time to me has been like I am saying YES to the world and honouring that I can bring something to it wholeheartedly – in preference to working part-time, which for me would have been saying NO to the world, I can only handle so much before I feel crushed. It’s the claiming of myself that brings the strength.
The job continues to have the same demands as before, but I have changed within it. I am much more joyful and playful.
I am still learning day to day what it means to self-nurture and really honour myself in a way that I didn’t allow before, such as:
- Being aware of the food I eat and how it makes me feel. I eat light to keep light
- Preparing myself for sleep by winding down and going to bed early
- Allowing myself time to prepare for each day
- Exercising lightly
- Observing my reactions in the day and dealing with issues
- Being more aware of the quality I am in during the day.
I stopped putting everyone else before me, which used to be exhausting. Now I have much more energy for others when needed!
I am so glad that I took the commitment back into full time work as it makes me feel more committed to life and more solid in my body. It’s like the difference between being a substitute on the bench as opposed to being in the team and on the pitch. I am not on the sidelines of life any more.
I now know and value what I can offer the children in my care and I have a lived understanding of teacher wellbeing and self-care. It’s not always perfect of course, and I slip up many times, but there is a strength and grace inside which I can keep coming back to. I truly feel blessed by what I have found and that is me and my commitment to myself, which has resulted in a commitment to work. It’s a pleasure to be taking this me into work!
I have a deep and rich appreciation for the teachings and support of Universal Medicine and Serge Benhayon, who have inspired me to make long lasting life changes that I know will stand strong well into the future.
By Rachel Murtagh, B.Ed (Hons)
Further Reading:
Work is Medicine
A True Commitment to Work, Getting a Job… and Life
Teacher shows how Simple ‘common sense’ Tools can support Staff and Students
778 Comments
“I learned that I wasn’t broken and was already whole. I just needed to re-connect to it.”
This is revelation. We have constructed a way of living here on Earth that pushes and pulls us to be all that we are not instead of the fullness of who we truly are. In this fragmented state we feel overwhelmed and exhausted, constantly striving to prove that the many pieces of us are enough, when really it is these ‘pieces’ we insist on living that are making us so exhausted. There is a simpler way, as you have so well described here Rachel, and that is to simply bring the whole of us to all that we do. When we choose to live from this space, there are no pieces missing and all that we need is simply all that we already are.
It is like multi-tasking when we are fragmented, how can we give any thing our all when we are not?
Multi-tasking is such a myth…it should be called being fragmented because that is what happens, we are only partly doing each task when juggling more than one. And that is exhausting because our mind and our body are not in the same place at the same time. Our body can be going through the motions of a task, but our mind is off thinking about something else.
When we live from the ‘pieces’ it’s no wonder we are exhausted. In not seeing the ‘whole’ we are left constantly seeking more, striving for something else, this in itself is depleting, for we are never satisfied, rarely appreciating what is already there. Taking the time to stop and explore the possibility that it is already all within, that we are indeed whole to start with, is worth every minute, month, lifetime.
That’s right Liane, and there is nothing to be sought for outside of ourselves, only accepting what is there within and living from that wholeness, until it expands out into all parts of our lives making our life whole again or rather showing us the wholeness that is always there.
This comment stood out for me too Liane. In knowing that we are already whole, there is more opportunity for surrender, a deep let go into what is already within. What an enormous difference this can make to ones every day life.
“All that we need is simply all that we truly are” what a gorgeous line Liane! This simple yet deeply profound truth when embodied changes the whole way we view our lives.
We only need to experience ourselves as whole once, as being love and truth once and our life is transformed. From that moment on life is not about improving ourselves but about recognising and discarding that which is neither truth nor love. This sounds far fetched and makes no sense if you haven’t experienced yourself as whole.
I can really relate to the feeling of wanting the world to stop for a minute while I catch my breath. Yet the issue was never about the world speed but us saying yes to the speed and never taking a moment for ourselves.
Too often we allow the world to dictate to us, feeling as though we are at the mercy of all that happens…yet this is not true. With the power of responsibility, we can choose how we are within the craziness of life. A much more ease-full and loving way to be in the world.
Beautifully expressed Sara, we are not victims of the pace of the world or the demands that are put on us – taking responsibility for ourselves and our choices allows an ease and flow and creates a space that the “craziness of this life” can not impose on.
Exactly Luke – being run by the speed around us instead of connecting to the stillness within us. Life is much more enjoyable when we are connected to ourselves.
Rachel your changed attitude to your work is absolutely inspiring. I love how you say it was not the job that had to change, but how you were in the job that needed adjusting. I too have found that the more I self-care the more energy I have and I find work a joyful experience. I once believed I needed to work part-time but in fact I enjoy being a full participant in the team.
That’s amazing Anne. This completely spins all of the notions of work life on its head.
Imagine how different our employment rates, illness rates, absenteeism and stress related leave levels would all change if this approach became the norm.
It is such a paradox here, working harder and feeling even more revitalised and joyful. It turns the concept of self-caring by doing less work on its head, leaving the quality with in which we work in of considerable importance. Maybe we are intended to work with meaning and purpose during our whole life rather than retiring to stop and smell the roses!
So much Joy Rachel in your blog and a really practical offering for other teachers struggling with what feels like the ‘weight of the world’ on their shoulders. After parents, Teachers spend the most time with a child, and they are one of the most consistent adults in a child’s life. It is important that they love and support themselves first, so they are then able to bring all that they are to their relationship with the children and all others. Thank you Rachel for sharing.
That’s amazing Rachel and something I too have experienced, very often it’s not work that is to blame or avoid or change but how we are with ourselves that then makes everything on the outside, including our work, no big deal. The body is the centre point from which our life occurs, take care of this and everything else is sorted. Coming from what is within the body, our inner-most essence is where everything works from effortlessly.
I like what you share here Leigh that “The body is the centre point from which our life occurs, take care of this and everything else is sorted.” Coming from what is within the body, our inner-most essence is where everything works from effortlessly. This is very grounded in common sense.
Your sharing Leigh is beautiful and simple. Yet, when applied completely transformative, life changing and life confirming.
“The body is the centre point from which our life occurs, take care of this and everything else is sorted.” I love this Leigh, and like Michelle has already said it is grounded in common sense.
Thank you for sharing your experiences Rachel. When I read your words I can feel the dedication and commitment you bring to all you do now and this is very inspiring. I know that it is not the volume of work that exhausts me but the anxiousness I choose to go into to ‘get it done’. I can also see that it is easy to waste energy delving into other people’s issues etc. Interesting that we often search for someone to blame instead of addressing the true cause of our ill conditions. Empowering to know we can choose differently as you have.
So well said Leonne!
Yes Rachel’s dedication and commitment is inspiring. Self-responsibility is really key.
Totally agree with you Leonne – for me too going into anxiousness to “get it done” is so much more exhausting than the actual volume of work I have to attend to. It is super empowering to see that going into anxiousness is simply a choice and, as Rachel has done, we too can make a different choice.
Another excellent point Rachel “I stopped putting everyone else before me, which used to be exhausting. Now I have much more energy for others when needed!” This is taking my quite a lot of practice as I was totally identified by what I did for others.
Great point Kathleen, being identified by what we do will mean we will always go the extra mile at the expense of ourselves, which is quite destructive if viewed in this way. When we know the value of our worth and the fact we are more than enough, as we are, not measured by what we do, there is nothing to prove and everything to be.
As have I been Kathleen. I can relate to all of what you’ve shared through your comments. It is very much a work in progress. Constant refining.
I also am still learning what it fully means to self-nurture and really honour myself . I am also learning that this needs constant refinement. What was nurturing at one time is not enough as I grow more and more into myself.
Another great point Rachel “ I learned that I wasn’t broken and was already whole. I just needed to re-connect to it.” This is so beautiful to express for so often in my life I have totally bought into the belief that I was hopeless when in fact I was simply disconnected from myself.
I love this point too, Kathleen. Reconnection is the key as we have it all there. I am learning this too, Rachel. your blog is very inspiring.
Me too Anne and Kathleen – I used to hear from some other people over the years how ‘hopeless’ I was and such things. Now, through all the awesome work with Universal Medicine I have felt that none of that is true, and that all the awesomness is already within me, all I had to do was claim it in full. So liberating to truly get this revelation.
This a great blog Rachel. I can so relate to . . .“I had always believed that I was exhausted from the sheer volume of work that needed to be done, but I came to realise that I could handle the amount of hours I was working in a day and that my exhaustion was stemming from an inner battle of anxiety, and from the feeling that I was not enough”. . . What is expressed here is so essential to know. I to can so easily exhaust myself from anxiety. And it is often work that gets the blame when it is not the work load at all. This is a great point to make.
Very true Kathleen, it is not the work load at all that exhausts us. I found this too with my full time study. Last year I found it very heavy and did not enjoy it very much because of that, this year although the work load increased, I am enjoying it very much and there is a feeling of ease. What has changed is my way with myself, my commitment to honouring myself, putting me first and listening to my feelings of what is going on. It is truly beautiful what commitment to yourself brings. A true celebration.
Great sharing Kathleen. I can relate to this too. Getting stressed about all I have to do and in this not really looking after myself. But when I do take time to look after myself, even when my workload is huge, I don’t get as stressed.
Same here Kristy – I used to be stressed too when I saw all the things I had to do, however now, with truly caring for myself and allowing ‘time’, so much more space has opened up and I am amazed what is possible in a day now – and all that without going into overdrive or exhaustion. Love my work and my days …
Rachel what you share is I am sure what many teachers are going through, dealing with the demands of working in the education system. Your blog shows it is possible to turn your life around from the burned out and exhausted treadmill you were on, to regaining joy and vitality back into your life and being able to bring this into the education system. As you say we can blame everyone and everything around us but ultimately it is our responsibility to make the changes which start with self love and self care which you have so beautifully described.
This line to me can be universally applied Rachel by substituting ‘teaching’ for any other number of jobs, professions or activities… “I began to comprehend the problem wasn’t with teaching but within myself. I wanted to blame everyone for how I was feeling without taking responsibility for my choices and how I was living.” The responsibility of choice is huge, often challenging but oh so worth it for the life changes that are possible as a result!
If we are not taking responsibility for the quality in which we live life, it is very easy to blame everything and everyone else for things being the way they are.
It is quality and a true way of living that should be taught first and foremost in schools, this would transform our whole world.
Well said Kylie. If we live irresponsibly at home, ‘behind closed doors’, in relationships and so forth then this often is the attitude we begin to develop at work. Our behaviours out of hours become our behaviours during work time and we then make choices to blame things on others and dodge responsibility at any opportunity.
Once we take responsibility for our choices, life becomes a rather different experience.
Yes and much more joy-full and also much more aware – as when we see or feel the consequences of our choices and take responsibility , we then can start anew with greater awareness around that what may have eluded us for a moment…
Learning about the true meaning of responsibility is a life long endeavour. It starts small, and builds to an awareness that there is always more responsibility, and in fact it is a great thing, and in no way a burden.
I felt more and more inspired as I read through this beautiful sharing today. Why? like you Rachel I’ve held myself back in the past and I started to work on a part time basis. Only offering a small part of me not the all that I can bring ‘fearing’ that anxiety would take over, not feeling that I was enough which would then lead to further exhaustion piled on with more anxiousness. Quite a mental sandwich! In your words Rachel “It’s the claiming of myself that brings strength” So true and with plenty of daily helpings of self nurturing and self love – no more sitting on the bench.
Rachel You are so clear And light about the whole process Of change . A pleasure to read ! Thank You .
Agreed Ann-Brit. A true inspiration.
A powerful and beautiful article – thankyou for sharing your story Rachel. “I learned that I wasn’t broken and was already whole. I just needed to re-connect to it.” That’s what we all need to do – for we are all whole deep inside.
This is great sueq2012 as it highlights how we can be searching for the answers of our issues as I know I did for many years and when we really give ourselves the space to reconnect to our own essence we get to see that everything we thought we where was not true and actually we have so much more to add to life with the understanding of who we truly are.
Rachel thank you for sharing how it feels to be caught up in a cycle of overwhelm and exhaustion. I’m sure many can relate to this, I certainly can. In February this year I took on a role which is 24/7 and at the end of the first three weeks was exhausted. I asked for help, to be shown a way to be able to work and maintain my energy and vitality and give a true service to my client. Like you it began from within, a commitment to self and willingness to look at how I had contributed the feeling of overwhelm. I changed my sleep pattern, less not more hours. I found creating space in the morning before starting work at 7am for gentle exercise, writing, a self nurturing morning routine gave solid foundation to my day. To stop energy levels depleting during the day, I chose carefully what I ate, maintained boundaries, expressed myself clearly and said ‘No’ to unreasonable requests. At the heart of all this was me, constantly reflecting on how I felt and was responding to events happening around me. I made myself a central character in my own movie, and directed myself through each day. In this way I have more to give, but never at the expense my client’s health and wellbeing or my own.
Beautiful sharing kehinde2012. “I chose carefully what I ate, maintained boundaries, expressed myself clearly and said ‘No’ to unreasonable requests” Saying no and maintaining boundaries as what feels honouring to our bodies is absolutely key to feeling vital and ready for the work we need to do. Reading your words really reminded me to do that with myself too as I feel slightly run down.
Kehinde what you share here is absolutely gold. It is the recipe for vitality. What struck me was that you slept less not more. Not many of us clock that sleeping too much can deplete us or that simply creating space for yourself before the day begins supports you to feel that space throughout the day. Maintaining boundaries and saying no when it is warranted helps us to feel claimed and empowered and therefore we have more energy.
This blog has shown me how teachers really are in the thick of it everyday. Dealing with monumental challenges, not only in the classroom, but with all of the pressures and expectations of the systems feeding in to classroom life. Rachel is an incredible role model for teachers world wide, because self care surely is the responsibility of every citizen on earth, and teachers are in a unique position because they are responsible for the care of so many people, who are innocently looking up to the teacher, as children do, for guidance on how to be in the world.
Beautiful Rachel, what an amazing turn around and a very inspiring story. It just goes to show how we can simply change our life if we are willing to see what needs to be done and therefore make those changes. Being a teacher must be challenging at times for anyone but the foundation you have and are building is preparing you naturally for any challenging moment. Very inspiring.
True Amina. We need to surrender to what needs to be done and address the things that hinder us from this commitment.
This is gorgeous to read Rachel, it’s interesting that ‘I am so glad that I took the commitment back into full time work as it makes me feel more committed to life and more solid in my body.’ I used to have an idea that the less that I and others worked, the less tired we would be and the more enjoyable life would be, but in the last few years my view of this has changed completely, I am now much more committed to work and to life and to people and i now really enjoy my work, i find the more i work the more well i feel and that if i have days when im not working and im just ‘hanging out’ i actually feel more tired from the lack of purpose.
Great point Rebecca work does bring us purpose, it connects us to others and to me this connection is what supports us to be more vital. It also supports us through the routine of working to develop our rhythms and truly commit to life.
I just read your comment and was thinking of all the times when I had lots of time and no responsibilities. I have to say I much prefer working full time and having full days full of purpose rather than wasting my life away with nothing to do.
That’s a great point Rosie. I have noticed this with a lot of people, when they really commit to work and looking after themselves they become more vibrant, vital and have a greater sense of purpose in life. I can’t stand not working. I don’t mind a few days off a year but I really love work too.
I can’t remember not working Kristy. I do remember being a bit bigger than the German Sheppard dog I grew up with and it was my job/chore to feed him. The number of 2 week holidays in the past that I cut short because I was bored were many. I have for years had problems using up all the holidays from work each year. I am getting younger the older I get and feel great about it.
I totally agree Rosie. I used to have amazing holidays and a lifestyle where I would cruise and not really commit – this always left me with a sense of emptiness that there was more, and yet I couldn’t understand how I felt unsatisfied when the picture on the outside looked so great.
I have never felt better than I do now, and I am content and complete when I am fully committed to myself and working with purpose.
Rebecca, I had the exact same idea. I thought going part-time in teaching would make me less exhausted because I was working less and it was the way to deal with my overwhelm. Going part-time served it’s purpose because it allowed the space for me to develop a caring relationship with myself and I gradually built up my hours again until I was almost full time. Even though this job felt like full time work it wasn’t until I signed a full-time contract I realised how I had fooled myself. Signing a contract for permanent full-time work my commitment gear went into full drive…my body instantly felt more solid and purposeful and more vital. Considering a subtle flatness and dullness my body felt with part-time work. Part-time work for me had been an escape, not made from a practical choice for family reasons. I wanted to get away with doing and being less. Saying yes to full-time work I was saying yes to commitment to life, yes to serving others, yes to being more, and yes to being me.
Rachel, I can relate to going back to full time work with a stronger sense of commitment, which has made a huge difference to how I am at work and how I approach everyday. No longer do I have the thoughts of, I can’t be bothered or wishing I had the day off or wanting to stay in bed longer – this way of living ultimately exhausts us and can lead to mental and physical ill health.
I agree Julie, I have a vitality , joy and commitment now that I did not have previously with work. I also work within education and embrace what I offer just by being me there.
Yeah I can relate to this too Julie. I now have much more commitment to work, I get up in the morning and look forward to my day, getting to see colleagues, students and just enjoy the day being with them.
I’m not a teacher, but I relate to what’s shared here. I love going to work to be with colleagues, suppliers and clients. Since making the shift from making my day about what I do, to making it about people, it has made such a difference to how I am at work, and how I feel. No task I do is more important than an interaction I have with someone and interestingly, the work always gets done.
The other day I had the feeling of not wanting to be at work. On reflection I realised how rare this is for me now. In fact, it has been years since I felt like that. Once upon a time that was a daily occurrence. Committing to life with more and more of me has been a definite game changer.
Gosh Julie, I had forgotten about the longing to stay in bed those extra hours at the weekend, or the longing to get back into bed having dragged myself up on a week day morning. I would literally count down the hours in the day till I could get back to sleep again. I am so glad those days are long gone.
Rachel this is an amazing metamorphosis. I was once a primary school teacher but it was never as demanding and pressurised as it is today. Challenging our own beliefs that life is overwhelming and we can’t possibly cope is a huge step to make. You describe so well the before and after you. It does all start with a commitment to self and within, as you have shown. I feel energy and solidity in your words and celebrate with you your new found sense of self. It must be amazing for pupils and colleagues to have you lovingly firing on all cylinders. Your willingness to accept a senior teacher position is confirmation of how far you’ve come.
“I began to comprehend the problem wasn’t with teaching but within myself.” This is such empowering and life-changing perspective as you so clearly share, Rachel. Although it is the truth it is not always easy to implement as the emotional experience, rational reasons and physical demands for how one is feeling can appear so overwhelming and valid. Congratulations for the inspiration you are for others to show that it is possible to be able to maintain one’s truth and love in the face of adversity of the reality of life.
Rachel a beautiful and honest sharing. The struggles you once felt before you chose to self care and take responsibility – I see these struggles daily with teachers in the profession.
Thank you for sharing your supportive journey. It is a blessing to all who read it.
Absolutely Johanna08.smith it is a common thread amongst so many teachers and reflects that when we truly self care and commit to ourselves and life what a difference we can make to not only the quality of our life but the lives of the children we teach, their parents and our co-workers.
Commitment to ourself and life makes all the difference, I can feel how this is the key to change, and truly enjoy life and all it has to offer.
I love how you have combined commitment en joy like this Benkt and it is true, I can feel that a lack of commitment offers mostly drag, heaviness, aloofness and no true connection to anything. Where as commitment opens up and let’s the world in and all of me out!
I feel the truth of what you share Carolien, the drag, heaviness and aloofness as the byproduct from lack of commitment. Where as being in commitment changes all of that to the polar opposite… openness, purpose, joy and a willingness to go for it.
Such true words Benkt, commitment to both ourselves and to life ignites an ever burning fire inside us. It’s what life is about and it makes everyday life a true joy. Having lived the opposite for quite a while, ie with no commitment, I can tell you that it wasn’t a fun or fulfilling way to live. Purpose makes all the difference.
I totally agree Meg, the illusion that having no commitments it a freeing way to live life is just that an illusion and even though it may seen on the surface that some are enjoying that process they are not. Bring true purpose to life in it brings about so much change to my own relation and those relationships around me.
Amazing sharing Amina, I have fallen for this illusion many times! Feeling tired or given up on life and then thinking it is because I have too much on and should be doing less. In my experience this made the feeling of exhaustion and aloofness even worse. To commit to life with all of me and feel how much I have to bring is what heals the tiredness and giving up-ness the most.
I used to think that the way to deal with my fatigue and given-up-ness was to do less, but I now know from experience that by bringing more commitment and purpose to all I do the fatigue and lethargy gets taken care of.
Amina, this is true for me too, ‘Bring true purpose to life in it brings about so much change to my own relation and those relationships around me.’ I used to think that not being committed was cool; disliking my job, those i worked with and just really wanting to get home, now im committed to life and work and have purpose i feel amazing and have much more energy and much more fun.
living without a purpose makes it all very hard work, while it can be so different when we choose to commit to all, that brings a true enjoyment of life, as we know everything we do serves a purpose, there is nothing we do for nothing.
I agree Benkt, commitment to ourselves that brings commitment to all, and living from true purpose, brings to life a whole new dimension to discover and live.
Yes it’s all down to commitment – in everything we do, and the reflections in life show to us how we are in each area of our lives, where there may be more commitment in one area then another – which then gives us the opportunity to check in again with our commitment to self.
it is beautiful to read of your transformation and re-connection with the love, joy and vitality you truly are. How beautiful it would be to have you as a teacher, the children who do are truly blessed.
Thanks, Rachel. This is a beautiful study of how we can turn our lives around by taking responsibility for the way we choose to approach life and work. I love this line – ‘I am not on the sidelines of life any more’, as it is a real claiming and celebration of your commitment, in not holding back what you are here to offer the world.
“It’s a pleasure to be taking this me into work!” Its that sentence there that jumps out at me… the difference between the exhausted husk that so often turns up to work pretending to be people (be they teachers, office staff, builders etc.), not truly living or in-joying their lives. But your experience here Rachel, of the turnaround that is possible, of bringing the joy back in, and then not only wanting to get back to work but to get more involved. That is an inspiration.
Teaching starts with teaching yourself to care for yourself so that it is a steady you that is presented in class to inspire the children. “The constant bombardment of life was still there but on the inside there was no withering, just a quiet, strong knowing of myself.” Perhaps The Gentle Breath Meditation should be on the curriculum for morning assembly in the staff room at the start and close of each school day.
Mary I think teaching the gentle breath meditation to teachers would be a wonderful ‘tool’, for them to reconnect back to their bodies and themselves, with the stress and demands of this work, as teachers have such an important role bringing through the next generation, that will at some stage be caring for us!
I agree Mary, “The Gentle Breath Meditation should be on the curriculum for morning assembly in the staff room at the start and close of each school day.” The staff and children I have introduced it to love it and they always ask for more.
And not just in the staff-room – how about bringing it into the beginning of each class – that would set a different quality in the room as well…
Well said Mary. What I’ve found with any kind of presenting is that when I get up on stage or stand in front of a class, it is very easy to feel exactly how I’ve been living and whether I have any foundation to say the words that are about to come out of my mouth with passion and lived experience, or if I’m just reciting something. I can imagine teaching every day would be quite a job; there is such a difference between a teacher who has a solid lifestyle and relationship to themselves to a teacher who is running on coffee and exhaustion.
Rachel – the power of this blog lies in its everyday simplicity.
What you share here is that metamorphose is possible in everyone – and that it comes down to a choice of how we are living before what we do.
The way you have started to honour yourself, care for yourself and express in the fulness of who you are is an inspiration for others – and absolutely leaves no room for the anxious, guarded person you once thought you were.
What an amazing opportunity for children to have this in a teacher. You are teaching them much more than the academic.
Have we got so focused on school being about just academia that we have forgotten it should be about preparing our children for the responsibilities of life as an adult – that it is to teach them alongside to the values they learn at home the necessary and practical life skills needed to support them to age and live with grace.
Thank you, Rachel, your story just goes to show how much power we have within ourselves when we honour who we are, take care of ourselves and stay present with whatever we are doing. It makes sense, doesn’t it, that if we give our power away by focusing on what is wrong with the world we miss the opportunity to live with plenty of energy to work all day and not be exhausted by taking responsibility for what we choose, just as you have done.
We carry a huge amount of power within ourselves. It is much easier for that power to come out when we care for ourselves. All the energy that goes into focusing on what is wrong with the world and getting frustrated about it, when directed towards ourselves and flipped around to be loving, allows us to cope with many things and perform what some would consider miracles.
It is in developing awareness around how we don’t self honour, in this awareness we can begin to make changes that fosters us re-learning and understanding the true powerhouses we all are.
Rachel what you share here is the complete opposite of what I’ve read in the papers and hear from other school teachers, the fact that you have found a way to not only get through your job/work as a school teacher but enjoy it with a deep quality and playfulness is unheard of. When I see how many teachers turn to part time work to try and cope but even then struggle it shows the real importance of the practical tools and way you’ve taken care of yourself to be presented to teachers across the world. Teachers should be deeply cared for, treasured and supported as they are raising our next generation. Another point you bring up here is self responsibility – it applies to teaching without a doubt but also applies to any line of work. The fact you’ve seen the key is how you are in the job and not the job itself is world-changing.
Yes, to a lot of people in all different fields of work complaining about work and blaming it on the stress they experience, instead of looking at the way they are in their job.
Also a big yes to the importance of celebrating, appreciating and treasuring the gold that teachers bring.
Love this Richard – double gold indeed!
It is hard to think of a job that is more important than teaching those that are here to replace us… the children. It is an over looked, under appreciated, criticized for failures, under paid and continually over complicated by state control to document and test to death and to be drowned in paperwork… this is just the view from being a parent that has observed the process. Under this pressure what happens to the spark that inspired the person to teach? You Rachel, are redefining what the true reason of teaching is and to do this, you are creating a reflection to all around you that it can be fun again what you love doing… by just self-care and wellbeing.
I absolutely agree with what you are saying here Steve, I see teachers all the time that you can just tell have lost their spark and are just going through the motions looking forward to the weekend. I definitely think they are under paid and under appreciated. This is ground breaking stuff Rachel not only for teachers but every other profession as well.
Absolutely Kevin, we need to support and appreciate teachers so that the spark that first impulsed them to become a teacher remains strong in them.
Yes, sparky teachers are so much easier to learn from.
Hello Kristy I agree and also they too need to “support and appreciate” themselves. As we are all saying here self responsibility is the key. It’s a fact you can’t bring anyone to something they aren’t ready to bring to themselves. We can say teaching is a stressful job and that would be true and equally we can say teaching is an amazing job and opportunity, true as well. It is how we are in any moment that supports us and everyone around us no matter if you are a teacher, a baker or a candle stick maker.
Well said, Steve. To have someone like Rachel in the teaching profession who is demonstrating the benefits of self care and self responsibility is very powerful and can really help to change the mentality, bringing it back to the joy of educating young people.
If one can do it we all can do it !
That´s what needs to be known and the only way to make it known is living it for all to see.
Responsibility, acting upon it and then shining one´s light – that´s the way to go.
Hear, hear Steve – you raise some very important and valid observations concerning the teaching profession. Rachel sure is redefining what the true reason of teaching is!
Steve this is exactly what is going on in the profession, and absolutely that Rachel is redefining the true reason of teaching – love, love and more love and so playful too! Since she has now developed this for herself she can bring it through for everyone she comes into contact with. A lesson for us all no matter what profession we are in.
So true Steve. This was one headline from the Independent newspaper earlier this year signed by 1200 teachers, ‘Teaching profession headed for crisis as numbers continue to drop and working lives become ‘unbearable.’ Rachel has shown that there is another way. With commitment to self care and self love she has re-defined what it is to be a teacher and brings love, joy and openess to her work and is a daily spark of inspiration for pupils and colleagues. She is pure gold.
Well said Steve, teachers are totally under appreciated and they are doing multiple jobs at the same time. They are parents, psychologist, advisors, nurses, teachers, conflict mediators, etc. and they are commonly just seen as “only” teachers who only work a couple of hours a day and have lots of vacation. It is incredible how teachers can be so little appreciated when most parents literally hand their kids over to them with high expectations of educating them. Teachers spend more time with the kids than the parents actually do. Rachel what you share here is gold and needs to be out there to be read for everybody. I work in schools supporting teachers to care for themselves and the difference it makes is ground breaking. Rachel, you are an amazing role model.
I agree Rachel, teachers are hugely under appreciated and working in a school myself I am finding more and more that is not only the children that are needing the teachers to fulfil their many needs as well as being taught but also the Parents who may need emotional or parenting support! The way that parents hand over their kids is often because they have lost sight of how to be with or parent their children and need help too.
Beautifully expressed Steve, and I so agree too Rachel- awesome work on yourself and reflecting and living this with the children – just awesome!
Totally inspiring . Thank you Rachel.
You Rock Rachel! It shows that it all starts with a commitment to yourself, and from there, we can deal with anything, even a Senior Teacher fulltime position. What a true inspiration you are in an educational system where people are exhausted, stressed out and are lacking self-care and self-worth.
You said it Mariette – Rachel rocks!
So true. How amazing to have someone at work that you can be inspired by because you can feel them be who they truly are, not because of the long list of things they do/accomplish. We get so focused on being wowed by people running marathons and achieving goals without realising the drive and exhaustion they are living in takes them away from them just being themselves.
Gorgeous and clear blog Rachel. Your experiences and approaches to change from exhaustion in your job as teacher to a fully claimed and vital one can be applied to all professions. Self-care is the key.
Yep – Self-Care is where it’s at when it comes to most things in life, and it is especially felt within family situations as well as the workplace. The more we self-care first, the more increases the quality of what we bring to any situation.
Rachel the points you have raised about the challenges faced by people in the teaching profession are valid and also apply to many other professions, however the positive life choices that you have mentioned are very effective in helping with stress, anxiety and general interpersonal relations
Agree Joe. All that Rachel has experienced and felt in the teaching world, is felt in most other industries. I’m certainly experiencing that in my current role.
Thank you for sharing your experience Rachel. Work is a part life that people often have a less than true relationship with. There are many who will commit to the work that needs to be done, but do it out of necessity and obligation. Others throw themselves into their work but do so in disregard of their selves and their bodies or as a distraction from other issues. It is no wonder we have the rates of absenteeism, workplace bullying, burn out and exhaustion that we do as the way many are working does not support the worker or the workplace.
I find what you say is so true Kathryn – I know when I was working I had a ‘less than true relationship’ with my work and only saw it as a means of paying the bills. In retrospect I can see that it didn’t even serve me as it lacked integrity and demeaned who I was and was disrespectful to my work colleagues and employer. When we truly serve in our life we are living in the joy that we are being true to ourselves and honouring those whom we serve.
Very true Kathryn. We have a lot to shift in our workplace culture – which essentially stems back to how each of us are living day in and day out. We take how we are living to work, and this reflects in our ‘output’ as well as interactions. There is much to learn from the tenets of the Ageless Wisdom, and Universal Medicine in this regard.
You raise a good point here about commitment Kathryn Maroney. When we think we are committing to the work it is often done “out of necessity and obligation” but when we commit to bringing ourselves into the work for the benefit of people, we bring a quality to it that makes the workplace a more harmonious place. Whatever we do affects colleagues, clients and bosses alike and so we have a responsibility here.
This is true Sandra…it is the quality of that commitment and the intention behind that commitment that brings a solidness to what we do and how we are in the workplace. And this is seen and felt by others who then have a choice to change, or not – it becomes their responsibility to make the changes.
Such great points that you have raised Kathryn. It’s quite a beautiful experience to discover that you love the work you do even though nothing about the job you do has changed. But what has changed is the level of commitment you have to your work through the level of commitment you have towards your own self care. This has definitely been my experience and this is now a real marker for me on my own self-care.
So true Jennifer – I can say exactly the same. It is the level of commitment to self that then extends to all other things we do. How awesome and how simple really…
Focussing on oneself by deeply caring and looking after oneself has an enormous effect on everyone around and as you describe Rachel we end up having more energy for others and for the things that we do. Instead of being dictated by the world we stand our own ground serving the world in our fullness.
This is so true Esther but we are often taught the opposite, that focussing on ourselves is selfish. Yet another tricky decoy to keep us distracted from our true purpose.
Great point Tamara – it’s amazing (and kind of disturbing at the same time) just how many “tricky decoys” there are to try to distract us from simply taking care of ourselves.
And how good does it feel when we catch them and just release them, very liberating.
Those darn decoys… like “being a good person means to put everyone else before you”, or “work hard so you can party hard”, or “give your job all you’ve got, which means do your email 24×7″… all of them are beliefs that are the antithesis of caring for our selves.
the fact these decoys are so common and part of our everyday consciousness is no accident, language is used to keep us exactly where we are in contraction, for example it is an insult to be “so full of yourself” when we know that to be full of yourself is to be full of the love you were born with, it should be the greatest compliment! Claim back what we know is true loving yourself first is the only way to love another – be totally full of yourself.
Oh my goodness how many people have been brought up with that ill belief – that to care and look after ourselves is selfish!!!! I know I was and my parents and their parents. When it is in fact the complete opposite. If we all took care and loved ourselves there would be less stress, depression, exhaustion, illness and dis-ease but instead health, vitality, well-being more productivity. So if the world was one big business model I would say the primary objective/goal/aim would be to in fact care, love and look after ourselves.
But what is really selfish is NOT deeply caring and looking after yourself!
Beautifully put Esther, the way we care for ourselves is the biggest service and truest reflection to other people, that they too have the choice to choose that level of care for themselves, and it is certainly a divine way of living.
Yes living by example without pushing it onto others, just being in the livingness of it – a powerful reflection for all, so all can be inspired and ‘step up’ to more loving ways for themselves.
Well said Esther, it is an absolute turnaround from how selfish we are told it is to take care of yourself. In an aeroplane we are told you have to put your mask on before helping anyone else. This is just the same, we take time to ensure we are supported then we can, as you so beautifully say “stand on our own ground serving the world in our fullness.”
I feel we are only at the tip of the iceberg in so far as that we don’t fully appreciate or understand yet how much us being deeply caring of ourselves affects those of us around us. As everything is energy and everything is felt what emanates off you when you are loving and self caring directly impacts the environment around you. If we fully understood what happens between us all we would live very differently as we would realise there are no private moments or private thoughts even. That is pretty hard to comprehend but whether we do or not does not make it so as shared with us by Serge Benhayon. There is much we don’t choose to know but a fact it remains. That is the choice that constantly faces us to know or not to know the energetic truth and responsibility.
As fantastic as it might appear, especially when coming from the experience that life is quite overwhelming, when we claim ourselves in our natural beingness and honour and care for ourselves we can feel grander than life itself, being equipped to face every situation. As we come from something grander than physical life we can relate to life from that grandness, a reconnection and relationship presented by Universal Medicine in a very pragmatic way.
Wow this is an amazing blog .. You explain so well the change in lifestyle that is so possible with a different approach to life
I really commend you for changing your life around and it is so empowering you read such a new level of commitment in your life ..
It’s most unbelievable the changes but so believable because you are now living such a different way.
Such a great blog.
It is an amazing blog.. especially given how common it is for teachers to suffer from some kind of burn out. It would be beneficial for all teachers to read this.
Amazing turn around from Rachel, and what a blessing she gives to all in her school every time she walks through the door. How great for the children to have a teacher who loves them, and her job!
I agree Catherine…how fortunate for the children Rachel teaches to have a role model of someone who loves their job and loves being with them.
Unfortunately it is rare these days to see a person who has a true love, joy and commitment for their work, although through the presentations of Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine the tide is slowly turning.
It’s true. And all too often we ‘give up’ when things aren’t working. This is such a great example of how we can completely transform our lives without needing to give up our day job so to speak.
Kylie… gosh that true… the given up mentality when things don’t work out! I know that one well. I have always justified it by saying to myself, “well I gave it my best shot, but look I knew it would be too hard anyway.” With this staring attitude of course the end result of struggle was guaranteed! As Abbey said above the way we approach work is huge. Our intention is everything and will determine the outcome of everything.
I remember a saying Kylie – “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” It always felt so hard and exhausting to me. Rachel completely turns this around and takes responsibility for herself, not bashing her self up or going in to drive, just appreciating herself more and more and finding a newfound capacity be more and more of the natural teacher she is!
So often our solution to a work issue is to change jobs. I was definitely one of those people, and I’ve now learned with the support of Universal Medicine that it was never about needing a new job, but about being more loving and tender with myself. Now it is like I am a new woman in the same job!
That is great Heather how bringing it back to you changed how you are in the job you have. I have noticed that too the more I am committed to me and loving me and being more tender as you share the impact on my day to day activity is huge, doing the dishes becomes enjoyable! Amazing really and so simple.
Ha ha love it Kylie, ‘don’t give up your day job’. But this is so true, I have often looked on the other side of the fence for relief from what is going on. Only to get to the other side and find it a different colour but the same problems arising again. We can job hope for our entire lives or we can change the way we are at work or at play. This is a map for people and it comes down to self responsibility, having a look at what is going on for you in any given situation. You don’t take the whole thing on as this is no different to not looking at anything, just on the other end of the ruler. It’s about being able to see that every situation carries a part for us, feel and reflect on that part and take that awareness to the next meeting and then repeat. The world isn’t as it seems and from this blog and comments you can begin to unfold much of what is truly going on, thank you Kylie.
Quite, and quit a job we actually deep down really love but in despondency leave it.. to only repeat the same effect in the next job (that may actually turn out as not being as great as the one before !). At times there is no need to quit the job through blaming it, but more ask the question – are we ‘quitting’ on ourselves, and if so why or what is not right with how we are (doing) first, before the job itself.
Absolutely Abby, and the great thing is that the message of this blog applies equally to every vocation.
I know people who are ambulance drivers who are not stressed, and people who are receptionists who are stressed… shows us that it is about the person and not the job.
I agree Abby, I work in schools and see first hand how teachers are feeling and burnout is where most are at, stress levels are worse now than at any other time as in the UK there have been many changes to the system which has left many feeling very anxious and stress follows that with so much pressure to get kids to a certain attainment point before they are naturally meant to be there, it is utter madness. But as Rachel shares you can be in a mad system and keep sane! More than sane you can thrive and bring something much greater than the system but the beauty and stillness of your soul. Imagine having Rachel as your teacher what a blessing!
I love what you have said here Vanessa about bringing much greater than a system when we work, so much more than the practicality required, but a presence and connection with people.
My job as an air traffic controller is often seen as the most stressful job in the the world, but I’m sure teaching is equal to, if not more so, when the pressures of the job are not dealt with. I’ve have done a similar thing to you though, realising that it is the way I am when in my job that actually determines whether or not I get stressed by my job, not the actual activity of the job. It is brilliant to bring this into the light.
So true Suzanna, the way we are in our jobs does determine wether we have a good day or a bad day.
Katie I know that how I am with my body during my day directly relates to how my day feels at the end of it. I am working on honouring myself more and more no matter what unfold for me during the day.
Very important point Sally the more I can honour and confirm myself during the day the better I am able to deal with those challenging moments.
Yes, how often we are quick to criticise or nit pick our failings throughout the day, a situation that may not be as we want it to be…rather than accept what is before us and respond with the grace of appreciating us in every moment.
And whether we have a good day or a bad day, this should not be judged either way as what is most important is the quality we were in to meet the challenges we faced.
This desperately needs to be brought to all those with stressful jobs or jobs that cause stress. It really would change the world. Being able to do a job like air traffic control or teaching without getting stressed is like the seventh wonder of the world and it’s all so simple. It is hard for me to imagine how hard it is to do your jobs as I do gardening for a living and sometimes that even stresses me out.
The three of you and the blog have exposed something very interesting about stress and how we can so easily fall into a “grass is greener mentality” imaging that we have got it tougher than anyone else, and that job over there is easy.
I suspect Kevin that many people would envy your job imagining that it would be stress free. But the capacity for stress is already there in us – ready to go, just awaiting a trigger for it to come out in full force. I have a high stress job, but the stress I experience has reduced substantially in becoming a student of the Livingness. That is so interesting to me, because the work has not changed. I on the other hand have.
This is a study in the making. Our Livingness in every moment determines how we let the circumstances and or predicaments of our work and our lives become the excuse for not taking responsibility for our reactions. The simplicity here is profound and the more I distill the truth of my natural ability to hold steady despite what surrounds me the more I understand stress and the point at which I am not taking responsibility. This is huge!
Very huge Bernadette, what if indeed our ability to hold steady is linked to our ability to stay firm in our connection to our inner essence of stillness?
well said Bernadette, the way we live and our every day choices are what determines our state of being and not the circumstances. They are but a very convenient excuse to keep our focus on the outside instead of turning within to look honestly at what we are choosing.
Perfectly said Bernadette. This is huge. We like to blame our circumstances for how we feel about life, but in fact it is we don’t want to take responsibility for our choices and the way we live.
Yes Rachel, we can so easily think that other jobs have it better or worse but you have just shared that you are an example of how you do what you do has an impact on the stress of your job. The stress of your job did not change but you did, your approach to it had, your way of living had, and therefore how you are in your job has.
Rachel, I can attest to it; you have changed so much, and I can feel that you too have a great handle on stress these days, just like Rachel Murtagh describes here so beautifully for us. How amazing how you two, and many more students of Universal Medicine, are going totally against the trend of what so many in our society accept as ‘normal’. Living in fight or flight is seen as ‘normal’, in societies where there is no threat of immediate war of civil unrest or anything like that. We have just chosen to run ourselves in stress, rather than choosing to re-connect to who we really are, to surrender and trust that we are enough being ourselves and bringing that to whatever we do.
I can relate here enormously Rachel, and I do have experienced this. Given that I now work even longer hours and work on other projects I should theoretically be more tired and even exhausted but I am not and I enjoy my work more then ever before since becoming a student of the ‘way of the livingness’
This is indeed revelationary and something that the whole world needs to know. That we don’t need to give up our jobs to reduce stress levels, we can change how we are within and make more supportive choices which then lay a foundation for how we are in all that we do including our chosen profession.
When I read this statement – “It was like a constant bombardment from the outside and a withering away on the inside. I had lost my commitment to work and it was a challenge getting up in the morning”, I felt that Rachel was writing for the masses. And continuing to read the blog to see the miracle that Rachel performed in her life to be now fully committing and reading the ensuing comments that other people are also doing the same, feels like a revolution is occuring. Bring it on I say. Rebel and commit in full peeps! Bring the love you are!
I agree Sarah – this is a great miracle and yet so profoundly simple for us each to choose and live as Rachel has demonstrated.
Me too Amina. I am far more vital and can do more than ever before without any pushing or driving myself to exhaustion. The Way of the Livingness is the key to true health and wellbeing.
Yes Rachel we do not have to play the stress game any more. Feeling what it does to my body, it serves no useful purpose and there is always another way.
Well said Rachel.
We can bring any manner of complexity and stress to just about any job that exists – if we are out to prove ourselves, take on the responsibility for others, be identified, recognised, a saviour or even play the role of doing the job rather than be ourselves performing the work this is guaranteed to drain us and have us in a spin on some level.
We can take the full time and reduce it to part time, and reduce this to casual or adhoc or perhaps not at all – but even being without employment still provides ground ripe for more stress and dissatisfaction. When we look at the whole, it is very clear that we are a key ingredient in all of this – how we live and the energy therefore in which we move throughout the day determines how that lived day will be, our interactions with others, our commitment to life and the work we produce. To invest in knowing ourselves deeply and to commit to living a true life is a life changer.
Deborah, it is so true when you say, “if we are out to prove ourselves, take on the responsibility for others, be identified, recognised, a saviour or even play the role of doing the job rather than be ourselves performing the work this is guaranteed to drain us and have us in a spin on some level.” Could this actually be the underlying cause of why we all live with such exhaustion and for the many who live in resentment of their job?
Yes, we have become good at the blame game – seeking the solutions outside of ourselves as well as the cause.
What a different world it will be when we turn within and learn to know ourselves and take responsibility on all levels.
True Susan, ‘the job or other circumstances trigger the stress making us think it is the cause, instead of looking at how and the way we live may be the real cause.’ Bringing it back to our choices and being responsible in how we live at all times.
This is a great discussion and Rachel what you exposed here is fantastic. How easy it is for us to feel like we have it bad and the blame that we can go into. All as a decoy to avoid responsibility in the way we are choosing to live. I’m a general manager in hospitality and daily there are high levels of demand. Like you all, since becoming a student of The Way of the Livingness, my approach to work and life has completely turned around and the steadiness within is growing stronger and stronger everyday which withstands any demands that come my way. This is life and it is always a learning to deepen this connection with myself.
Very true Rachel, I work in Recruitment and the reason many people/candidates give for leaving is largely for ‘work-life balance’… and with the idea and ideal that by switching jobs the stress will be erased. This is false because it occurs that the way or ethic of working remains unless the root issue is looked at. Is rather like trimming an overgrown tree or hedge, and admiring the view – next year the leaves will grown back again. Removing the root altogether means the (ill) way/approach to one’s job/profession, typically usually of blame, is also removed, ready for a new work ethic based on this understanding. The understanding being the value of self-relationship that has self-love as its foundational basis. A work ethic based on love can in its steadiness withstand the ups and downs of any job that are always going to be there regardless.
The fact of how I was at home determined the quality of how I was at work came as a complete revelation. That the two are inextricably linked can’t be separated. When I switch off at home, in terms of dulling or numbing myself with TV or food this affects my quality of presence the next day at work. They feed into each other. The more present I am at school the less I want to numb myself with food or TV when I get home. (I used to be a TV addict…but not any more. Now that’s something to really celebrate)!
I don’t know much about air traffic controllers!! But it has made me think of other professions like doctors, nurses and social workers to name a few, but yes great sharing Monica in that we do create our own reality. What Rachel, Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine share is a way of looking after ourselves so that it supports not only what we do for a living but our life in every moment.
No doubt Vicky, it is the every moment that brings us to the steadiness, or not when the potential stressor arrives! This life lesson itself could profoundly change workplaces.
Absolutely Monica, and what is amazing here is how much fun you can actually have by making this simply changes. Building a new momentum can take a little while especially if you have been living very stressfully but it is well worth making changing that truly support these steps forward.
I agree Monica and Amina. The job can be a challenge as it can bring up quite a lot of issues we do not like to deal with. And you are confeonted with them every single day. This easily leads to a feeling like being a victim. To let go of this belief and behaviour being a victim changes the whole set up.
I’ve noticed there are often expectations that everything will change in a minute once we decide to change how we are behaving. But it does take time, and slowly but surely the patterns changes.
A good point Heather – often we expect to see immediate change and can be impatient with getting the result, rather than allow this to unfold in time and to consistently bring our all. Changing behaviour requires consistently making a different choice.
Yes, its important to remember its not an overnight process. It is paramount to be consistent with the changes and the new supportive way of living.
And of course to add to this, being in a non stressed job can allow for the creation of stress itself from the extra time our mind has to think and create problems. But when we stay present with ourself on any task in any job we will most likely find that not only can we cope, but we can thrive and bring a powerful clarity to whatever it is we do. So true Monica that it is not what we do but how we are being in the job. This can change our outlook on any job we do.
You got it Monica, it is not the job we do it is how we are in that job at all it is about how we live and support ourselves. Taking responsibility is the way, and yes we make our own reality.
This is true. What we have around us and how we view and feel our life to be is our own making. It makes complete sense to self care and enjoy yourself then by virtue of enjoying yourself you enjoy bringing you to your job. Simple really!
I agree Bernard, how we are with everything we do is the key. Taking responsibility and not blaming others is very important.
Ha, I can easily be stressed out when having a day of or being on holiday. With all respect to the challenges we all face by everything life presents to us it is definitely in the way we hold ourselves and choose to relate to life that determines how we feel and handle it – the art of mastering life, and we all can do it.
I agree Alex we can find ‘stress’ anywhere so it doesn’t really matter what the title is but more how we are with it. As Rachel is saying her world changed because of the change she made for herself. She highlights it as a simple change that made a huge difference, responsibility for how we are in the world and not pushing the world to be a certain way so we can feel better.
No matter what our job, we can be stressed… That for sure is true. Firemen, ambulance drivers, police all have potentially very stressful jobs, but not everyone in these roles is stressed.
Learning to let life be and simply play our part is a beautiful way to live and is very possible even in a very busy part of the world. So enjoying ourselves in each moment is what I have found to be one of the most supportive factors.
Well said Raymond.
Taking responsibility rather than expecting the world to change so we can stay still allows the magic to flow in life.
In my experience any job can be stressful, no matter what it is. We make it so because of feelings of inadequacy and because we allow ourselves to be rushed, trying to compete against time. As such, I don’t see much of a difference between the jobs of a surgeon, an air traffic controller or a gardener, as we do what we then complain about to ourselves first and foremost.
Indeed Gabrielle we can complain about any job or be very stressed if we feel not up to the job or pressured in any way. First and foremost how do we hold ourselves in this role? are we identified by the job and does it give us a sense of worth? if so if we can’t perform perfectly we then feel like a failure and may feel stressed and overwhelmed.
Feeling pressured, feelings of inadequacy, or allowing ourselves to be rushed, trying to compete against time are sure ways to be stressed in a job or life. Bringing it back to self and how we are in and with ourself, are we being truly supportive, and is our working environment one that really does support ourselves and everyone else are key areas to check.
I agree Monica, and what a reality this is, when it is such that is, based on avoidance of responsibility or blame. A reality that becomes a lived truth that’s essentially based on dishonesty, or a lie even, and worse still without this (fact of a lie) even being known and hence why ‘defence of position’ or apportioning of blame to work, job, profession, boss etc. etc. What a career and life trap.
Agree Monica, blame is the easy option, though it is the most painful one in the long run as it keeps us further away from dealing with the truth of things, and from this point arising from the pain or upset. Far better to ‘face the music’ and work on keeping bringing it/things back to us, to within – and the way we work, as opposed external factors for our woes.
The way we approach work has a HUGE impact on how we feel about work. When work starts to feel like I am battling the clock, or waiting for time to pass I now see these as signs that I am not committing to the level I am feeling is required. The more I commit to work, the more I enjoy it – this joy precipitates into all other areas of my life.
Love the wisdom you are expressing here Abby, it’s profound and the joy is tangible.
Absolutely agree Abby the more I commit to work the more I enjoy it. I always loved working, but for me it has too often been a battle with time as I always felt there was never enough time to do all the work that needed to be done. Today I know that committing to work is very different to working a lot or too much and that the effort I have to put into work does´t measure my commitment. There is no sacrifice in work, just joy, lightness and dedication.
With this as well I feel it is about the quality of work we can do. Often I have found myself go into anxiety or overwhelm because I feel I do not know that much about the subject I am presenting and delivering to others. From a recent workshop with Serge Benhayon and Universal Medicine it helped me to see it is not what we know but how we are in and with ourselves first, obviously on a practical level we need to know something about the subject, but by first connecting to ourselves the rest will just flow.
True Abby, our commitment affects every aspect of our lives.
Work is an enormous part of who we are. Most of our waking life is dedicated to it so when it is out of whack…well everything is out of whack. So what you have said Abby, about the “joy [that] precipitates into all other areas of my life” I can but smile, knowing that I have experienced both ends of that spectrum.
It is great to have you clearly lay out how work can and is affected by us being out of whack. For many years I worked in a way thinking that there was no other choice and that being out of whack was normal. Universal Medicine has opened my eyes to this and shown me how much we can all make the changes we feel are truly supportive and how this naturally supports us to have a working environment that really does support ourselves and everyone else.
Hello Rachel and I agree work is a huge part of our life and it would seem without consistent work we really tend to loose our way. I have a wide experience in working and not working and to be honest I love work, it gives me a purpose. The purpose isn’t just about doing something, it more centres around being around others, interacting with people whether is 1 or 100 it matters not as it’s the quality of these interactions that is the key. I find it extremely fulfilling and nourishing for me to interact with people no matter where or when. As I said I have a real love for work and I can’t see this ever ending.
Agree Rachel, and when this realisation or truth is known, that work is life and life is work, and that the two infuse the other it dispels the compartmentalised ‘work-life’ balance so often sought for, to become one of the same (thing).
Agree Rachel, when we understand that work is life, and life is work, we understand that the two infuse each other to become one of the same: Work is Life, and Life is Work. What is happening at home, is also to a level, equally happening at work too. The issue itself, say of ‘stress’ cannot make a distinction for it doesn’t distinguish by knowing the difference between Home or Work Life, and then switching on or off. Hence the issues, or battle begins when compartmentalisation occurs, yet so too does the joy begin when we embrace seeing there is no separation between the two, and how life is lived.
Yes this is very true Abby. When we love our work, that commitment and joy flows through into all areas of life.
Touché Abby, commitment and responsibility are certainly the key when stress or perceived time constraints begin to paralyse me. Recently I was working with a woman who was extremely stressed about workload and time constraints. She was constrained by the ‘I should’ that or in this case the ‘ I shouldn’t’, in that working unpaid overtime most weeks to get her work done was not seen as acceptable by her peers or the industry in which she worked. When presented with the possibility that working overtime may support her during busy periods, her body surrendered and the stress visibly left her. She enjoyed her work, was particularly thorough and committed. Fully committing to what was needed released the body and she commented that what was ahead suddenly did not feel nearly as daunting! It was only at this point that we could have a conversation about her routine during the week before and after work and how she could add small supportive changes that would flow through to her working hours. Commitment and responsibility belong in every moment!
I love that Abby, the joy I get from work now also precipitates into other areas of my life. I feel fulfilled and energised and it leaves me with a yummy feeling that I carry through to the other areas of my life. Everyone needs to know this is possible, instead of the relentless slog and the burn out at the weekend.
Very beautifully said Abby and I can not only relate here I can say that commitment can have life changing affects if it is done so in a truly supportive way. It is an aspect of life that I now see as fundamental.
I was pondering on my relation to work just yesterday.
It was rather interesting to discover that when I am just working without any stories running through my head, just noticing what my body doing job is done in no time and I am not tired.
Conscious presence and other tools of Way of Livingness such a gift to humanity!
Yes Elena, when we are not clock watching wishing the day away and instead are choosing to be consciously present then magic happens!
This has been my experience as well Abby, the more I commit to life, the people in it and what I am doing the more enjoyable life becomes.
In committing to work (and everything) we embrace instead of resenting life; it is stepping into a fullness that is very empowering.
Hello Abby and while the concept of this seems back to front from what we learn you are absolutely spot on. I’ve spent time avoiding things including work and it didn’t work. Now it consistently seems the more I do the better everything is. It’s not from the ‘doing’ part but more the commitment to being in and around people that has stood me up. It doesn’t matter who it is or what time of the day it is if there is a commitment just to connecting to whatever is in front of you only and then doing this consistently the world is a completely different place.
I also like to look at the big picture of why I work – really connect to understanding what my contribution means on the wider world around me. This brings a strong sense of purpose that is well beyond earning money, and helps me respond to challenging circumstances in a positive manner.
Heather, I agree connecting to the bigger picture of why we work and whom we support brings an enormous amount of purpose to what we do. It is the stabilising factor in challenging situations and environments.
I like this Heather, I find bringing in a strong sense of purpose really helps, and looking at the bigger picture and what I am bringing supports this.
I agree that there is unending joy in committing to work and to every area of life.
I am smiling with my whole body as i write these words for I love work and I love my life and this is a great reflection of the commitment i have made to living me in the world and to committing to life in full.
I agree Abby – we have a responsibility in the workplace to not use it as an escape or a time passer but to continue to ask what’s next. Our approach counts for a lot, and our commitment can be seen by everyone. And as you say – if we commit to the true purpose of work, then it can be joyful and rich – it can work with us not against us.
Beautifully said Suzanne, you have a choice in wether you get stressed or not, and claiming that choice is very empowering
It really is as simple as this, we have always have a choice to allow stress into our lives of not – and when we stop and question why we are stressed the answer is always right there for us.
Absolutely we always have a choice to not allow stress into our lives, every step we take may either create a stressful situation or not, so every moment we have a choice in making loving choices. When we are connected and in our conscious presence we are more aware of choices we are making and in these moments we can choose to be more loving.
“..we always have a choice to not allow stress into our lives” it is like stepping inside the hurricane “eye”-everything around you swirling and turning- and you are still and safe, observing what’s happening from your chosen place.
I totally agree.
Yes so simple Rebecca. If we are choosing stress, this is a like a big sign to stop and reflect on where we can actually make changes in our life to support ourselves to not get stressed. But to realise that getting stressed is a choice we are making is so important in actually taking responsibility to make the changes that are needed.
So true Suzanne it’s our attitude and the way we are with whatever we’re doing that makes all the difference.
Stress is often blamed on external factors, yet the truth of it lies in what you shared Suzanne – it is the way we are that determines whether we get stressed or not.
Absolutely Suzzane, it is the way we are in our job that determines how we feel and experience our day.
You are absolutely right Suzanne. I spent years hopping from job to job, blaming the job for my unhappiness and levels of anxiety. But lately, after months of being totally out of my comfort zone, I realised how much I am enjoying my current job, and that is due to the fact that I am enjoying being ME. Awesome, isn’t it that our world can reflect back our own state of being, this means that as we grow our world grows with us, and then the possibilities become endless, apart from being so much more fun.
Stress at work is more about how we respond to the demands of the job, rather than what the demands are.
Based on how we live life – in harmony and at-ease with ourselves, or otherwise will give us our response to stresses or demands of any job.
Absolutely Heather, well said.
Suzanne, have you considered teaching other air traffic controllers what you are able to do?
Absolutely Suzanne what you and Rachel share is gold as you are not offering solutions to manage your stress you are looking deeper and taking responsibility for how your quality of how you live every moment before you get to work as being what will support you during your work and then after, it never ends the self love and self care, wonderful commitment with awesome results!
So true Suzanne. It has little to do with the actual job activities but the way we are with ourselves and within the job.
We all have the same job and that is to be and express the love that we are.
Nicola, this is simply true. I wonder why that this is not on all job descriptions everywhere?
I love your comment Nicola you take our responsibility to whole other level. The really big picture of letting others in and sharing our true selves with others.
Jenny I agree – Nicole has taken it to the bigger picture that the only real job that needs to focused on is being the Love that we are. When we are this then no matter where you are, what you are doing it is Joyous.
Love it Nicola, so true, ‘We all have the same job and that is to be and express the love that we are.’ Bringing it back to how we are with ourselves within the job and life itself.
This is true for any job Suzanne, it never is the activity but the way we hold ourselves in it and move through our day. Not only on a stress level but also on the physical demand some jobs require. When we are with ourselves in the way we move there is a lot less injury or ailments occurring.
wow teacher, air traffic controller and I’ve seen some blogs from medical staff, lawyers, police and more all making such a significant change from learning that we are broken as Rachael shared and that we just needed to re-connect to the whole that we are. Can’t wait to fly into the air space you manage knowing you’re at the helm Suzanne.