A shot at workplace serenity, by example

We’ve heard it and seen it on inspiration sites across the web – M.K. Gandhi’s quote, “We must be the change we wish to see.” But how often do the words pass anyone’s lips in the workplace - let alone consider the concept?

Last week Deepak Chopra appeared on Fox News Channel’s Hannity & Colmes challenging the viewers to take a pledge – one of non-violence – even at work. Here’s part of what he shared about this pledge on Fox, facing the scrutiny of the hosts:

“A pledge for making the choice for peace in every moment with your staff, with your friends, with your family and ultimately with the world.

And I believe that if 100 million people became embodiments of peace, the world would transform, because consciousness is a collective phenomenon. And what we see as good and evil is the balance between forces.”

Whoa! Tall order! But then I started to deeply consider what he was suggesting. Within a few days I happen to receive an e-mail which broke it down to a digestible concept I could embrace, even in the workplace. He suggested a Gandhiesque vow: a vow of non-violence in thoughts, speech and actions. You can watch a video on the idea at itakethevow.com.

Chopra made the same call for attendees at the recent Alliance for a New Humanity conference in Barcelona, Spain. So what does this have to do with the workplace or our work life scenario? Everything.

Heading to work as we live our 24/7 sensory overloaded – stressful careers, the only thing we really have control over, is our own response to the external chaos that comes our way. We can’t control the markets, the continued job losses, the transition of our country, the pressure of the holiday season  and whether the three big automakers get a bailout at our expense. But we can take a moment to respond from a more conscious place within ourselves to the tumult of our times.

Our working and living experiences have merged. We no longer leave our personal lives at the door of the workplace. Instead, there is a continuous striving for better work life balance and flexibility. And we certainly take the frustrations of work home with us – although we try so hard to separate the two worlds.

The only true refuge is within. Even at work – every thought, every word, every action can either count toward more aggravation –  or the cultivation of some semblance of serenity.

Dr. Chopra, thanks for the reminder.