Moving Out of Stagnation
Life moves. It does not stop. But sometimes we (try to) stop. Because the flow of life does not stop, this means that sometimes we get in our own way. Often this results from frustration and from a conscious or subconscious disconnect from our deepest self.
The energy flowing from our core self has described in various ways. One of the most provocative, was Audre Lorde, who described the erotic as: "a measure between the beginnings of our sense of self and the chaos of our strongest feelings. It is an internal sense of satisfaction to which, once we have experienced it, we know we can aspire.”
She further noted “in touch with the erotic, I become less willing to accept the powerlessness, or those other supplied states of being which are not native to me, such as resignation, despair, self-effacement, depression, self-denial.” Audre Lorde, Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power
Make no mistake - this energy might not be what you would call sexual; it is merely that which breathes life into us. This energy is often impeded, interrupted, and distorted by various forms of anger - anger at others (a desire to push others away), shame (anger ourselves and a desire to push ourselves away from others), and arrogance/entitlement (a desire to push others beneath us).
Connection to a greater whole helps cure stagnation. I personally find the most beneficial and sustainable method of connection is compassion for ourselves and others. Let's find your way out of stagnation together.
CAREER STAGNATION
Work almost always involves some compromise between what we would like to do be doing and what we need to do in order to earn income. This is a fact of life; it is especially a fact of life in the current U.S. workplace.
We, however, cannot live with all compromises that we are asked to make. Sometimes we cannot live with the number of compromises; other times, certain compromises are qualitatively problematic.
When we compromise too much we get frustrated with ourselves, with our workplace, with our life. Frustration leads to stagnation.
We can unravel that history, uncover the compromises that were too much, and re-discover (or discover for the first time) the way to connect authentically and be your full self in the work you are doing.
More importantly, we can find a way to have that work make sense and meaning in the world and with those values and goals you hold for your world and community.
Be better.
CONFIDENTIALITY
I offer full confidentiality, including, where appropriate, the attorney-client privilege and the priest-penitent privileges. These mean that, absent an exception, I cannot be compelled to divulge your secrets, not even in court.