The Big O.


It ain’t what you think. Not talking sex here. I’m referring to your “Occupation” which has a secondary definition as “the action, state, or period of occupying or being occupied by military force.” Is that your relationship with work? Is your business really just “busy-ness” or, worse, a hostile takeover of your soul?

We recently had a Modern Elder Academy workshop on “Awe, Wonder & Curiosity” and the question was raised whether all of us had the capacity to experience awe. Some may be more inclined than others, but the trick is not to compare. Just like it’s debilitating to compare your “big O” experiences with each other. Think too much about it and you’ll contract FOMU (“Fear Of Messing Up”) and that ain’t helpful in cultivating sex or awe.

We have three potential relationships with our work: a job, a career, or a calling. One person’s job could be another’s calling, so there’s no use in comparing. At the end of the day, just know a calling inspires you and the Latin root of the word “inspire” translates to “breathe into.” On a good day, your work doesn’t occupy you. It feels as natural as breathing.

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