The invitation to change and grow means leaving behind old luggage, old structures, old ways of working and even changing jobs to find a new company which works more in harmony with our renewed sense of values.  One project manager worked with a company which made medical products for dialysis.  He felt a great sense of purpose and well-being as he developed new products with the idea of serving patients.  But he soon realized that the company’s main goal was serving itself interest to the point of putting patients at risk by using low quality materials and ineffective and even illegal sterilizing methods to cut costs.  This touched him in a most personal way. 

His mother, a dialysis patient, requires these products for her survival.  He patiently worked with the head manager and the company owner and voiced his concerns about their choices.  After more than two years of devoting himself to the company, he saw no positive changes, only an increased focus on more profit at the expense of patients.  He decided to leave the job, even though he didn’t have another one lined up. A few months later he found a better job with a company more in line with his values of honesty and respect for people.

Inspired by the courage of this executive, take a few minutes to reflect on and write down what luggage you would like to lose now.  What are the qualities you want to take with you and develop further on this journey?  What behaviors and attitudes do you want to leave behind?  Next, what steps will you take to do this?  If you’re unsure about the steps to take, then take a minute to ask your conscience, your Inner Manager and practice quietly listening for a response.

Bio: Debra Moffitt is the award winning author of Awake in the World: 108 Practices to Live a Divinely Inspired Life and “Garden of Bliss: Cultivating the Inner Landscape for Self-Discovery” (Llewellyn Worldwide, February 2013). A visionary, dreamer and teacher, she’s devoted to nurturing the spiritual in everyday life. She leads workshops on spiritual practices, writing and creativity in the U.S. and Europe. More at http://www.awakeintheworld.com and on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/DebraMoffittAwakeintheWorld