Love at the Office

15th of February ~

I hope my HR readers aren’t worried by today’s topic. I’m not exploring the opportunities for office romance (never a good idea yet still we falter). No, I’m talking about love for our fellow men and women in general. Let’s call it positive intention.

Many years ago as a young Catholic I used to go to early morning mass at a Carmelite Convent. The Carmelites are a cloistered order. They do not interact with the public. Their focus is contemplative prayer. That’s right–all they do is pray.

And I remember thinking, at age 16, “What a waste! Surely they could do more.”

Well, I am older and more widely-read now and I believe in the power of prayer. I believe that holding positive intention for someone helps them. And there is fascinating research that suggests this is so. Come with me now into the world of quantum physics.

You’ve probably heard, “What you focus on becomes your reality.” It is the genius behind Appreciative Inquiry. Thoughts matter. Furthermore, thoughts ARE matter. They are waves (or particles–I forget). They are energy. So, can we imagine that the energy is real and perceived in ways we don’t yet understand? Can we imagine that positive thoughts help and negative thoughts hurt? I can imagine that. It’s still in the realm of ‘New Science’ and the science is catching up to the work of the Carmelite nuns. For some fascinating research I recommend the Intention Experiment where you can become a part of the unusual research.

So what about that ‘love at the office’, Maggie? Here’s my advice:
1) Hold your colleagues in positive regard. It cannot hurt and I believe they will know it on an unrecognized level. As one of my professors once told me, “I always find something to like about each student.” Find the thing to appreciate, send them positive energy and you both benefit.
2) Hold your arch-enemies in positive regard. The more you focus on the negative relationship, the more you may tether yourself to that unhealthy dynamic. “Release them to their higher good“, forgive them, do whatever you need to do to free yourself from the struggle.

Call it whatever you like but strive to have love in every action. I guarantee you will work more smoothly with your colleagues and you will be happier for it.

Nuns photo credit

2 Responses to “Love at the Office”

This reminded me of a poem, much along the same lines, that someone shared at Passover Seder I attended several years ago: The thought manifests as the word,  The word manifests as the deed,  The deed develops into habit,  And habit hardens in character,  So watch the thought and its ways with care,  And let it spring from love,  Born out of concern for all beings…  As the shadow follows the body,  As we think, so we become - Buddha (from the Dhammapada)
by: Valerie Hussey on: Wednesday 15th of February 2012
Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful poem Valerie.
by: Maggie Kolkena on: Thursday 16th of February 2012

Love at the Office — Third Thought Third Thought