A Better Way to Make Decisions at Work

Monk Mindset Principle #6: Seek Nothing To Find Everything
Small Practice for Detachment

Sr. Christina, Salesian

Blessed Augustus, a Salesian brother in Italy said, "If God wants this, all will go well since he can take away every obstacle. If he does not want this, then neither do I." That is detachment: letting go of our desire to control every outcome and placing our trust in God's hands.

Easier said than done.

You might think that as a religious sister I can place everything in God's hands without effort, but it's a struggle for me too. In formation we learn to keep a "yes pocket" and a "no pocket" ready to receive whatever our superior tells us.

That's hard, because in our minds we already know what we want. It's very human. And in a culture that prizes independence so highly, we tend to push our own ideas forward without ever stopping to ask God what His ideas are.

When Augustus asked to join the Salesians, the founder, St. John Bosco wasn't convinced. Augustus had lived with tuberculosis since he was six, and there was no cure then. Still, Augustus trusted God. As much as Augustus wanted this, he understood that God's will was for his own good. And God did will it: Augustus became a priest, if only for one year before he died.

That was one big life choice. But we make a hundred small ones a day. In each one we have an opportunity to make them our own or to keep an open mind, inviting God to tell us which pocket our choices go in.

Put It Into Practice

Call to mind one task or decision you have to finish at work today. Ask God to come into your heart and mind and ask Him: Is this Your will in this moment?

Then seek to follow whichever direction brings the most peace, not necessarily what is easiest, but what is peaceful.

Try making this a habit at the very start of each day, inviting God into the simple choices right in front of you.