Anytime I find myself standing in front of a bookshelf in someone’s home, I’m always fascinated by the titles that I see. It gives you insight into who that person is don’t you think? Well the library in the home of my friends in Toronto was wonderful and cozy and filled with lots of books to curl up with.
While there I pulled out a little book by Neale Donald Walsch called Abundance and Right Livelihood. He’s the one that also wrote the series on Conversations with God. If you have not read them and need some inspiration, I highly recommend them all.
Anyway, given that I suffered for many years working in Corporate, and even now that I get to do what I love every single day, there are still parts of what I do where I think “Should I continue to do it if it doesn’t excite me as much as something else?”
So then, reading this book, here was the answer:
“They key question is not, what will you lose should you remove yourself from that position but what will you gain? You might be much happier making one-third of your income but coming from a place of beingness that brings joy to your soul.
Joy and orange just go together! PinterestNeale suggested we write a list of the traps we find ourselves in. And then keep asking the question, “What would happen if I got out of this trap?”
Elizabeth looked at him and, in her heavy Swiss accent, said “I see, and vhat vould all dees people do, do you sink, if you simply died tomorrow?”
He said “Well that’s an unfair question, because I’m probably not going to die tomorrow” And she looked at me and said “No, you’re dying right now.”
In that moment, he decided to live. And that’s what he would say to anyone who feels trapped, whether in a corporate job or in any place in life. How much of your life are you willing to reclaim? How much more will you have to give to others? Not just of material things, but of the joy and happiness that now reside in your soul.
So the question becomes, which is better? To be able to afford to go to a beautiful place like this or even live here or is it better to find that beautiful place inside you and then build from there?
I get it, we want our luxuries if we have the corporate job. Much easier to choose truth and beauty if you’ve been fired too many times to count (like me) or if you never had the fancy corporate job to begin with. . .
Just my thoughts for this Friday my lovelies. . . what’s on your bookshelf?
If you would like your home to fill you with happiness every time you walk in, contact me.
Related posts:
Here’s a Way to make your Bookshelf Beautiful
How to Style a Bookshelf without Spending a Fortune
Happiness is. . . A Styled Bookshelf
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I've read Conversations with God years ago… and I still remember quite a few things in it. Good book.
I've worked nine years in a corporate setting, finance actually, I kinda miss it sometimes, believe me even wearing blazers and fancy pants and skirts, but I believe I am happier now raising my son. But maybe ten years ago, I wouldn't believe anybody who would've told me I'd be giving up my career to be a SAHM.
Oh I believe it or not, I still buy books about investments and finance, and a little ironic because I get to enjoy reading them better these days than when I was actually doing my job.
Maria you have such mind bending posts you always stop me in my tracks.
So many books on my bookshelf, one that changed my life is Louise Hay -You can heal your life. and I too always look at my clients books shelves to catch a glimpse of who they are.
Jennifer Duchene
Home Makeover Mixtress blending lifestyle laughter and Diva Dens
Hello MK, I really enjoyed this post and like you I get to do what I love everyday… play with colour and when I'm not busy with work I still play and experiment with colour and illustrate it in my blog. Colour is a 24/7 thing for me.
My books include interior design books by Atlanta Bartlett, Kelly Hoppen and others and also spiritual books like A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle which has now become my bible. It is the most profound book I have ever read… so many ah-ha moments.
Have a wonderful weekend. I hope it's sunny and warm for you!
Michelle
This is a beautiful post and as with everything in life it appeared when appropriate.
I read all his books but this conversation as short as it is, is as profound as a book.
What a wise thoughts! Swiss ladies aren't that bad, right 🙂
wot? I thought your blog was about colour!! LOL
Great post luv, I think about this kinda stuff all the time, but as I'm pretty happy as a person i tend never to move in one direction or another, just continue to ponder in my quiet times…
This post is so spot on for me. Each day I tap into what I love and thank God for all the blessings bestowed upon me. I think I need to get this book. I posted a book today….hop over!
pve
deep thoughts, maria! i often think about how i currently make 1/3 of what i made in my former profession – then i think: would i go back to my life before? even at 1/3 of the salary, the answer is a very loud NO WAY! live what you love, then life will be worth living 🙂
What a great "thought for the day" or thought for every day…
Thanks for that…
I have so many books. I've edited them down over the years. I have such a crazy array of topics. I do think I've read Conversations, but I need to revisit it again. I have a Kindel that's loaded, which helps with the real estate issues. On traps… Come visit my post on our cook of 36 years. She was one Sassy Saint, who brought nothing buy sense, joy, love and piles of food to our large family. Her job might sound humble, but she was a game changer.
xoxo
Liz
This is such a timely post for me, Maria! Just this week I turned down a full-time management position with the BC government that I've been filling for the last year on an auxilliary basis.
Over the last few months I've been getting more and more depressed. I sat down last week and examined my life and thought about what would make me happy. I even made a list of the pros and cons of taking the job. When I discovered that the con list was much longer than the pro list, I knew I'd made my decision!
I really do want to spend more time smelling the roses and declining a job that makes me unhappy is a good start.
Hi Maria,
I always love reading your blog – this post was so true. Life is too short to be not loving what you do. Thank you for continuing to share your knowledge and today, what is on your bookshelf!
Sarah
I looked you up today to read about color and there you were reading me. Thanks. Just what I needed to hear today.
Maria– I adore those quotes – too true! I left a job and would never go back.
On my shelf right now I have an biography of writer Madeleline L'Engle and two books on Harry Houdini.
All are from the Childrens section of the library. The kid's section is the best, and I read them for myself – one to two biographies a week. Biographies show you where everyone started from, and the kid's versions leave out the nasty bits!
Happy Weekend!
Loretta
Great post. "You might be much happier making one-third of your income but coming from a place of beingness that brings joy to your soul." This made me think…when you are happy (whatever it is you are doing), you don't need so much money. It's when you are unhappy in what you are doing that you absolutely need more money to buy yourself things to make you happy. So aiming or happiness always wins, it's just the better (and more economical) option.
Have a lovely day!
I loved the comment by Dr. Kubler-Ross. It is so true. We think we have to do everything, be everything … to everyone and yet the truth is, if we died, they would get along without us. I know it is true – I have seen it happen. I just finished reading Ann Voskamp's "One Thousand Gifts; A dare to LIVE FULLY right where you are." LOVED it!
I love looking at people's bookshelves when I visit their homes. And I am always surprised when a home doesn't have books.
Fondly,
Glenda
Food for thought…
Right now, I am doing what I dreamed of doing for years…painting and creating. But there is so much more I want to learn to do…Sometimes I feel that I am on information overload…kind of like those commercials where a word triggers and litany of thoughts…It's difficult to narrow my focus…
Jane
(I want that ORANGE VW!!!)
I love reading books about interesting people and books that have humour. Love your bookshelf idea as we are setting up a library for the kids;)
Beautifully put. Thank you for posting 🙂
I know I'm going through something when nothing that used to excite me before excites me anymore. It needs evaluation and sometimes a drastic change. Thanks for sharing this.
Enjoyed the post and your blog! Neale has been an inspiration for us for years. I'm still doing the corporate thing but, like Neale, desire more. Yancey has been telling me about your blog for a long time. Great to FINALLY visit. Lovely. Rock On! Braxton
Dear Maria, I agree that no one should waste their life doing something they don't love. Better to make less money..and enjoy your life. (I cringe at the even the bare thought of it!!)
Tim and I said 'no' to a big corporate job opportunity years ago..and then yes to a job working from home. Sometimes I think of how different life could have been if he'd said yes. We've never had the luxuries but we have had so much fun and built a close family! Life is an adventure!
Books I love..well I LOVE books! Every one on my shelf has earned its place. I love Dickens because he loves homemakers..and his stories can be read over and over again. He highlights the human condition and has compassion for the poor. I can relate..so I read him.
My favorite books have helped guide me through life when I didn't know my way..like Keeping a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliott, Oh the Places You'll Go by Dr. Suess, and Imitation of Christ.
And then there's my favorite organizing and homemaking books. So many! Don Aslett is my favorite author for those. You can learn so much from others through reading. :o) Wow–think I'll go grab a book! LoL!
xo
Donna
I left a comment recently about you listing Pinterest as a source and incoorectly accused you of not attributing the phoyo credit. In my haste, I did not see that there was a link to the source. I appologise.
Chania @razmataz