I’m writing this at 7:46 on a Monday morning and I’ve already received three text messages from friends who are dreading returning to their dying world jobs. It is taking everything in them to put on their shoes and drag their bodies to a job that is not life-giving and that seems to be sucking the soul right out of them.

They aren’t alone! They are also not wrong in feeling these feelings.

The world as we have known it is dying. System after system is in its own form of collapse. Whether it be healthcare, education, governance, or the old boy corporate world, they have outlived their usefulness and are no longer effectively meeting the needs of the people they claim to serve.

Workers are feeling it. They are feeling the death of the hierarchical/patriarchal model, along with their Soul’s calling to be part of bringing forth something new. The status quo no longer works – and it hasn’t for a very long time.  We know this and if we’re dreading going to work, it likely means we are meant to be part of the change.

Being part of the change is easier said than done (says the woman who was forced out of the Church because she dared to take Jesus’ commandments to heal and serve seriously). Also, being part of the change does not happen overnight. Further, some are called to be that change from within the institutions they serve, but for many this is becoming increasingly difficult.

Building the new begins with self-knowledge. Who am I – really?  What are my gifts and passions?  What fulfills me and gives my life a sense of meaning and purpose? These are the questions we must ask ourselves (and discover their answers) before we can a) leave the dying behind and b) set out for something new. Yes, we can leave that sucky job, but until we know the answer to these questions, we’ll likely step from one frying pan into the fire.

As we are coming to know ourselves, we can begin to look out for and make choices on behalf of our Soul.  We might undertake training or education in the work that is more in alignment with our true gifts and passions.  We might take up a hobby related to our interests. We might volunteer.  As we move more and more in the direction of our Soul, the Universe conspires on our behalf, sending people, opportunities, and resources to help us deepen our knowledge and develop our skills, readying us for the big decision: should I stay or should I go?

Leaving the dying world behind is never easy. For many, the biggest obstacle is the perceived security of dying world jobs, and the salary and benefits that some provide. For others, it is the comfort of the status quo – “better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.” It is rarely an easy decision to leave what we know behind for something that might be life-giving, but may or may not provide for our needs.  It is a risk that few are willing to take – and truly – many are unable – and that is ok. However, if you find your dying world job becoming increasingly dreadful, it may just be that you are being called to leave behind the dying world and be part of building something new. 

What part of the new world would you like to help build?

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