Today I learned how much I need to practice detachment in my life.
Like most men I know, I tend to hold my job in too high regard, it is too important to me. For most of my adult life I have identified myself by my professional success, or at least my potential for success. My self worth and self image have been tied exclusively to my success in professional or educational endeavors. For some people this may be the status quo, and if it works for you, that's fine. I do not see this as inherently bad or detrimental to a person; instead, it simply has not been working out well for me.
I am now trying a new approach, seeking my self worth from within, acknowledging my own, everybody's for that matter, intrinsic worth. We all have an inherent value regardless of race, nationality, education, social status or economic condition, none either greater or lesser than any other.
As my source of self worth migrates to more sustainable and stable ground, I have found that the relative importance of the areas in my life are shifting to a more balanced state. As my priorities realign, and my career is no longer my defining characteristic, I struggle to find a new relationship with my job. I feel that the appropriate relationship is one of detachment, where I do my level best, but feel no sense of identity with the outcome. This is quite challenging for me since I have poured myself into my work so often hoping to have the positive outcomes be seen as a reflection of my own worthiness.
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