Today's meditation was written by Cathy Self, Senior Vice President for the Baptist Healing Trust.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure" – Marianne Williamson.
Margaret Wheatley is a well-known author in the academic world of leadership and science. She has explored why we as humans organize and how we do so. She suggests that we organize "always to affirm and enrich our identity." We come together because of who we believe ourselves to be. Ask any employee of an organization to help create a vision for the organization and it is almost always grander than that of the leaders. People are drawn to and love the work they hope will be. But with time, that passion dims and disenchantment grows as procedures overtake ardor, rules and policies overwhelm purpose. And resentment finds a foothold. Any wonder retention rates are dropping and turnover abounds in healthcare organizations all over our country.
We are, in fact, busy in our work of giving care. There are programs to fulfill, actions to take, next moves to plan. But perhaps it is a good thing, from time to time, to revisit purpose. Why have we come together? How do our hopes and desires connect to that purpose? Is this purpose large enough to invite the contributions of us all? How can the world be different because of us? What are the possibilities?
Poet and author Marianne Williamson sheds some insight on what limits the possibilities with her words (quoted above). Fear holds us back. But then Williamson offers a daring thought as she continues: "It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel unsure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone. As we let our own Light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." Maybe purpose is the fulfillment of our identity as made known by the light of Love.
So who are we? Who are we to bring healing, with Love, to those in need? Do we know our own possibility, or will we forever be bound by fear and darkness. What really matters? Wheatley writes "We can't resolve organizational incoherence with training programs about values, or with beautiful reports that explain the company's way, or by the charisma of any leader. We can resolve it only with coherence – fundamental integrity about who we are….In organizations, clear identity is an unmistakable and certain call." So, who are you? What is the call of your life?
Journal of Sacred Work 
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