How do we know what to do in work in order to be happy? Paul Hamid Werder, faculty of UOS and a business consultant shares, “the first key is to notice if we are trying to think about this from the mind. When that happens, it’s a clue that we are trying to ‘figure it out’ by ourself as opposed to really surrendering more deeply to find out what God is asking of us. All we really have in this life that’s deeply meaningful is the opportunity to serve God. That’s all that’s lasting. When I was a kid in catechism school, the first question was, why are we here? Why did God make us? And the answer was to know love and serve God. Now, that particular tradition ultimately did not work for me. And after many years of dissatisfaction with that curriculum so to speak, I let it go. I walked away from spirituality in general. But after studying on the Sufi path for the last 13 years, the answer is the same. The answer is my job here is to know, love, and serve God. So if I don’t really know what to do, or if what I’ve been trying hasn’t been working, it’s time to sit at the gate as Khalil Gibran reminds us in his quote. “Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple – and take alms from those who work with joy.” It’s for us not to ask for alms, but pray and deeply go inside and ask your heart, what is this that you are meant to give? What are the God-given talents in there that are yearning to be expressed? That’s the starting place for a new opportunity or perspective to emerge. Learn how to discover your God-given talents in Keys to a Fulfilled Work Life, a telecourse with Paul Hamid Werder and Salima Adelstein. Early tuition discount until April 5. Learn more and register here.
