GYPSY GIRL'S GUIDE

First, I have to say what a beautiful and honest post this is...
Secondly, I think you have the right idea, Alex... the lessons we learn while doing our yoga practice should be more than just useful on our mats- they are lessons for daily living! As that very wise man on the boat said, every experience can be an opportunity for devotion! I don't really know what it feels like to have a job as you describe, but I can tell you even having a soul-centered business as I do (I'm a massage therapist) there can be just as much pettiness and downright cut-throat tactics used in this line of work as well. One has to stay centered and do the best they can where they find themselves right at the moment... and that's the key. Right where you are in the moment is your opportunity for growth... and peace. It's your decision...
if anyone can do it, you can, sweetie...

Wow, this goes right to the heart of a learning process that I carry with me through life. Can I say agian how glad I am that I have found you?

How can I balance the strength and resilience I need to do hard, even ugly, work (dealing sometimes with people whose values are completely opposed to all I believe) while maintaining a soft and open heart?

I have always kept my heart open, but maybe I have not built enough on my "groundedness" - which has sometimes left me vulnerable to being knocked over by the hatred, cruelty and selfishness that I encounter.

I am going to take your insight about the application of what we can learn in yoga into my week and I'll come back to share what I leanred.

I would love to sit with you in San Fransisco and discuss this one in person. Maybe one day!

xx

You guys in the blogosphere are DEEP. Amazingly so.

" This beautiful concept of opposition creates more stability from our center, and allows us to hold a stronger pose in balance. Would it be possible to apply the same theory at work? "

Isn't yoga meant to applied to daily life anyway? The philosophy and ideals behind it, I mean?

I love the drenched quote.

and the picture.

Especially the picture.

Hi gupsy girl.
I really do understand your feelings.
I was working in advertising, a very competitive field. Then left and went into journalism which is more creative.
So my point is, that sometimes in the jobs we are, things are very competitive. On the other hand we need the money so we can do our yoga, to be able to travel, to lead a quality life.
My advice is: Being a competitive person who really doesn't care about the more human approach to work is one way of working. But not the only one.
You can still be on top of things by respecting things, by been good and correct at what you do, and most importantly by seeing the bigger picture of things. I know it sounds theoretical but it works.
At the end of the day, you know that your life isn't your work and as I. Yalom wrote You are not your work. (that helped me)
hm does it help?

quoting you: "Witnessing the "finger pointing" instead of team work. I don't like being on defense/offense mode all the time either. And I feel horrible when I find myself slipping into these sort of actions as well. Does anyone out there feel the same?"

ooooh! I do! I do! I can so totally relate to this. I'm currently struggling with wondering why i am working where I am when it doesn't nurture my soul and seems to serve no real and fulfilling purpose in this world. I like your suggestion of adopting a yoga-style approach to this, that would have to be the best solution i think!

Thanks for a beautiful and thought-provoking post.

Dear Gypsy,
I used to be a very ambitious and competitive person. But I have to tell you, I have totally changed. Really. I decided to value my life first and foremost and my work second. I realized that I had been putting my work first for so many years and was letting my life slip through my fingers. I knew that my time on this planet would be over so quickly and so I became determined to change my priorities. I am on that path now. And on most days it feels good, and I am thankful. Including for you.

Oh my! I could have written exactly the same blog barely 6 months ago! I come from investment banking and have been trying for years to free myself. I utterly changed as person in that environment and I desperately wanted to believe in the good of others in the office, just to be disappointed over and over again. I quit the industry 3 times in the past 10 years before I found my way out truely.

I think we all have the answer of what and how to build our lives deep inside. While I am not so much into yoga - I guess the inner component is the same.

Modern life - and business has lost its moral ground (probably never it had - but its become so fierce!). There is no use fighting it in my opinion.

I am starting a journey ... which I hope leads to something more fulfilling, even if I make very little money in the process. Already though I am happier than I have been in years.

I hope you find your center!

Gosh I am babbling. Its time to go to bed!

Night!

Hmm ... I have no idea how my posts multiplied and had so many babies.

Hi Alex,
The quote you commented on my blog is something I aspire to as well! I too, desire to have life-giving, soul-supporting work. I've been at my current job for six months and have very recently started to become disenchanted, once again. My hunch is that this sort of quest is more common than not.
I like the wise advise you shared. I wish you peace and insight as you use your yoga to process this.
-Andrea

I really,really feel for your situation. I worked in one job that was so soul depleting because the boss at the helm was so nontrusting and manipulative and just plain scary- a lot of stress it induces! You sound like you are approaching a crossroads. I say go whereever you feel the most energy towards, as I think Andrea Scher once wrote, go towards the most "alive choice," whatever that is to you. I think these things have a way of working themselves out if we have faith, don't stay somewhere longer than is in our best interests, and insist on keeping looking for the next best step we need to take to get to where we want to go. I know its easier said than done but if you have to work for someone else look for a place that shares your values and standards. I hvae had actually TWO really crummy bosses and life is too short to deal with that type of nuttiness.

Dear Gypsy,
To expand on your last thoughts: Do you think it is possible (after taking your deep breath) to say out to the coworkers out loud what you see going on with a humorous tone of or at least a kind smile on your face. It may disarm them more than you think. They are used to playing their game in a certain way and they have gotten away with it.

I encourage you to follow your dream. The rewards are greater than the downfalls. Most people don't haven't defined what they want. It seems you have. That is the first step in making your dream come true!

I am finally going to delurk here, so a warm first hello to you. Your journal is a beauty to behold...both your photographs and your words.

In answer to your question...YES YES YES...the business world, for the most part breeds characteristics that are not at in line with what we are all striving for in our lives. It is extremely difficult on some days to keep that balance (goodness, this balance word has been on ALL of our minds lately)and maintain those qualities that are so important to us. I have been in this space so many times myself, where in order to survive, you somehow end up getting sucked into that vortex of destructive behavior. And beyond maintaining my own integrity, I am never sure what the right answer is.

I have always believed and staunchly maintained that I would get ahead on my merits...my intelligence, communication,integrity etc. There have been times when I have felt challenged to be aggresive, defensive etc...and I hate going to that place because it is not who I am or how I want to live my life, personal or business.

I work for a good company, and the best part of it is that I telecommute, so I no longer deal with these issues face to face. They come up very rarely, and when they do, I have a good sounding board in my bosses. They listen to me, and believe in the same values, for the most part. That being said, I still look to the future and think about what I will eventually be able to do that will blend all of my loves and values into one beautiful job that will still sustain our life, but that will afford me more peace.

This was an incredible piece...it is speaks to the truth about our surroundings and ourselves. Clearly, from this book of a comment that I am leaving, it resonated deeply.

Thank you!!!!!

Alex, I think you have got the cojones to either maintain your soul in a cutthroat business, or develop your own. I think you just need to decide what matters the most to you...what will make you happiest...

...you survived a monsoon after all! What a lovely photo. I love how you bare yourself, you always inspire me!I know you will find the right inspiration for yourself.

oh wow! these words were so powerful for me today. thank you. i think you could be on to something with this yoga pose approach. and just think of all the areas of life this could apply to. you could write a book comparing a different yoga pose for each are of life.

ps--this photo is breath taking!