02 Aug 2023
We can all take lessons from our place of work. Each day we have opportunities to learn more about ourselves and others. But do we let the moment inspire us to be better or to do better?
I work, as you know in an HMP establishment, and whilst that may make me more aware of my environment and of my chances to make a difference, I am not unique in feeling ‘I am where I need to be’.
Whatever our place of work, and however we feel we ‘fit’, we can still take advantage of daily insights.
So here is my take on a 8 lessons I feel I have learned from my time at HMP.
- The answer to any question of fear, abandonment, disillusion, frustration etc is LOVE. Love turns the dark to light, helps the pain to disappear, and turns despair to hope. When you drop the hate and open up to Love instead, you can let things go and let your barriers dissolve
- Take your attention off yourself and turn it to others. When you are focussed on your own situation and problems, you are locked into personal stuff that has no room for the needs of those around you.
- If you can let go of your Ego and stop focussing on what you feel life owes you, or what you Don’t Have, you might start to see the things you do have in your life. Stop thinking ‘gimme, gimme’, and start to think of Serving and of being a conduit for others
- We are so good at justifying our decisions that we’ll go to any length to convince someone that WE have the answer. But admit to yourself and others that you do not have all the answers. It is OK to get things wrong. We do not have to be in control all the time. Sometimes answers come in those quiet moments when we allow our intuition free flow
- Imagine how much you could get done if you didn’t care who took the credit! Let go of any resentment if others rise before you or above you. You will get your day in the sun
- Your job is to work out YOUR lesson – and you don’t need to be overly verbal about what you think you have learned. Focus on what good can come from your learning. The things you focus on will increase. Choose them wisely
- Choose and make decisions. Take an option based on the right choice for YOU. So many of us do not choose. We drift and go along with others. If you can, stand up for what you believe to be right for YOU. If it is appropriate, do not let others make decisions for you. You will find yourself restricted and squashed
When we can sing our own song, we are freer to go our own way, but we need to own the outcome. When life presents a choice, visualise the result and feel confident in your decision. The path less trodden is often hard, but we learn through trying. It is not over until it is over. Believe in your choices
- Be nice and be kind. Be thoughtful and respect of those you work with and live around. When we are ‘nice’ we think from others’ perspective and consider how things are for them. We are acting from a higher motive
People deserve us to face them with consideration and understanding. And when we do that, we take our focus off ourselves and act for the good of all concerned. That is good for us, and good for those we rub along with. It serves us all and life will pay us back in many ways
These are some of the insights I’ve gained from years of working on ‘the inside’.
Now, how about you?
- What lessons have YOU learned from your place of work?
- What do you feel your colleagues have taught you about how to ‘be’?
- Have you had any higher moments of awareness as you have gone through your daily tasks?
- How have you applied this to your understanding of yourself?
- How have you used any lessons from your place of work?
- Have you shared any personal insights with others?
Start to think how you could apply any lessons to help you in the future.
When we understand ourselves better, we become nicer to others and find life generally goes better for us. How you see the world and your placed in it will change everything.
Love and light,
Geraldine
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