by Rev Carol Carnes
Senior Minister


Our theme this month is 'Sprituality in the Workplace'. In the not so distant past, work and religion were not considered compatible. We were made well aware of the pitfalls of discussing religious beliefs on the job. Like politics, there were matters best kept to oneself. Spirituality, however, is not a new religion or even a reworked old one. Spirituality is a way of perceiving reality, our relationship with the Universe, and the Intelligence which apparently runs things. It is wholistic in its viewpoint and sees all of life as a continuum of consciousness, not as separate events strung together. Our lives then cannot be compartmentalized successfully if we are to feel and express that wholeness as congruence and authenticity. This means, of course, that the very old (but still in evidence) notion that there is such a thing as 9 to 5 consciousness and that we are different people every other hour of the day has got to go. The hue and cry of "Thank God It's Friday" is all too common in the workplace. We're like kids sprung from restrictive classrooms. We can't wait to get out of there and have some fun, be ourselves, play a little, let our hair down. However, all too many are so stressed out by Friday afternnoon that relaxing is work in itself! This column is aimed at employers who would love to see their staff enjoy the workday, increase productivity, bring a whole self into the office, and feel free to offer their creative ideas. However, anyone can bring these ideas into the workplace. There are ten ways (that I can think of today and you'll have some of your own) to spiritualize your business and make the work environment user friendly.

1. Be sure Your personal values are congruent with your business values. For example, do you treat co-workers as lovingly as you would your family members, and vice versa?
2. Build your business on relationships. A failed business is a failed relationship.
3. Use your power to empower others. "Boss" and "leader" are not the same thing in intention.
4. Be authentically yourself and encourage the same in your staff. Relax the dress code. It's been proven that human brains function quite well in bodies wearing open collars and purple socks. Check in with your employees: "How are you doing here?" Ask about family and feelings concerning news events. Talk about spiritual beliefs!
5. Make work play - create fun! At Ben and Jerry's they have a 'Wear a Moustache Day' or something equally silly on a regular basis.
6. Get clear about money. It is a symbol of activity and circulation, nothing more. Your business is managing energy and serving others.
7. Identify and counteract collective beliefs about your business (ie: "Nobody buys ice cream in the winter." Prove that to Ben and Jerry's)
8. Give your workers and your business a larger vision. Support favorite charities or causes and get the whole staff involved. Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shops, pays her staff to do volunteer work in the community on company time!
9. Hold regular "What if?" sessions. Ask your employees what you could do better.
10. Hire people you would like for a friend and treat them as such.

Finally, remember this: In this abundant Universe which makes everything out of invisible energy, there is always more than enough of everything to go around! The only competition is the negative, fearful, restricted beliefs that vie for our attention. Our "job" is to stay in tune with the Entrepreneurial Spirit that is our True Self, the mark of our Divinity, the Intelligence within that is co-creative with the Universe MasterMind we call God. As the sign on my favorite shop reads "People are Wonderful, Business is Terrific."

Thanks for visiting www.faith.cc

Positive Living, July/August 1999