You might know someone who’s changing their job. Maybe you’re changing your job. There’s a lot of that going around these days. I would call it the Great COVID Awakening. Whether it was as simple as the pleasure of working at home or as profound as re-arranging your priorities in the midst of an existential threat, many of us have come to realize that our lives aren’t quite aligned the way we want them to be, so we’re doing something about it.
For me...well...we’re moving to Bratislava. It’s in Slovakia. If that still doesn’t help, it’s in Central Europe, about 45 minutes from Vienna. I know, not the most obvious choice, but to be fair, we were planning this move before COVID hit. It’s just been delayed (like so much else). I was offered a job as Assistant Principal at an international school last spring; literally two days before my flight to visit the school, COVID was declared a global pandemic and I still haven’t set foot in the country, let alone the school. Nonetheless, my entire family (wife and two kids) are moving there on July 15. Wheeee!
For me, it was time to break up the routine, occupy the space where discovery animates our life. And though this experience won’t quite be what we were imagining two years ago, we’re pushing forward nonetheless. Living abroad doesn’t just happen when it’s “convenient.” It’s never really convenient. Ask me about health insurance and navigating the visa process in a former communist country.
I’m mentioning all of this for a couple of reasons. First, it’s mostly why I haven’t published a blog post or guided practice for the past few weeks. We’re in the depths of moving, and to be honest, I haven’t been super focused in my own practice. There’s a LOT going on right now.
Second, and more importantly, perhaps you’re sensing an opening in your life. The habits and institutions and expectations that guided you for so long are all in flux right now. In a weird way, it’s never been easier to make a fundamental change. Upheaval allows us to abandon things that aren’t working, and seek a different path. Feeling lonely, or a lack of connection? Bored or unstimulated? Caught in an unhealthy routine? All of those things? It’s different for everyone, but the gift of disruption allows you to break free from the constraints of routine. There’s a reason why a record number of start-ups have emerged in the last year.
Once you move from the comfort of routine to the promise of disruption, the rest is up to you. Will you spend more time with family? Get outside more? Or maybe you don’t feel like you’re able to integrate your personal and professional lives. What if you could bring mindfulness into your classroom more frequently? What if you had a handful of kids who loved it? (If you haven’t used them already, there are five free mini-mindfulness lessons for your class available here.)
If you’re not sure where to start, you might consider taking the VIA character strengths test and see what that elicits. Once you reflect on your character strengths, you’ll be better positioned to act in a way that’s consistent with what you value.
My point is that we’ve awakened from the slumber of routine. Yes, routines are efficient. It takes a lot of force to change the inertia of your current trajectory. But hopefully it’s fueled by the joy of discovery and the passion of purpose. I needed that fuel as I guided a 22-foot truck full of our worldly possessions across middle America (now being stored in Minnesota). Moving is stressful. But if you’ve got the passion of purpose spurring you on, and the joy of discovery (or whatever you find joy in) pulling you forward, it’s a lot easier.
We’re often told by mindfulness gurus to recognize each moment as special, to see the brilliance in every situation. That can be hard when we’re feeling stuck. If your world has lost its gloss, perhaps it’s time to shift your vantage point. Allow your eyes to see through the patina of exploration. Allow your mind to start from a place of innocence.
Here’s a guided practice to help with that.
Oh, and if you know someone in Bratislava, hook us up!
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