I am in need of some guidance... Anyone willing to Guide with wisdom and knowledge?

Question

How is one to find happiness in work that is not intellectually and/or spiritualy stimulating?

While I understand that we must find true happiness in everything we have and do, I am finding it very difficult to find happiness for myself, when it comes to my job.

And, what makes it even more difficult is the fact that the job itself, on the surface, is an amazingly great job with a sincere purpose that pays better than any other job I could get if I were to quit and try my luck in the job market.

The job is working for a non-profit organization that helps evaluate and maintain the laws the regard construction workers . (In other words, we make sure the "little guys" in construction are paid/treated correctly, etc).

So, as you can see, it's not the job itself that is bad, but rather my mindset for it. My actual job is doing nothing but very simple and boring paperwork & database entry. This is why it is very hard for me to find it -at all- intelectually/spiritualy stimulating.

Anyone that is willing to give some wisdom and guidance on how to find happiness and solace in some of the most boring and repetitive tasks, I would appreciate.

God Bless you All!

Oh, and for the two that have told me to find stimulation outside of work, that is not in question. Only finding happiness for the work I do.

And quiting is not an option, for my wife and I make just enough to maintain the bills we currently have. Mortgage is a killer. ;-)

So, that also goes to say that we do not have the money for MUCH extracuricular activity.

Answer 1

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has a book out, if you're interested... "The Art of Happiness At Work"... it's actually kinda cool for anyone.

_()_

Answer 2

There are two kinds of happiness, a kind of bubbly and excited happiness and the other a peaceful and quiet happiness.

When most of us think of being happy, we think of the bubbly, excited one. Ususally, something triggers the first kind of happiness such as going out with friends; it is temporary and and can even make us feel down after a while when the moments are over. The second kind is a lingering one that doesn't express itself in the same way the first one does. It is quiet and internal and suddenly everything becomes clear and easy and a great love and understanding springs forth. Nothing triggers it - it comes on unexpectedly.

I had a friend in a similar situation. She was working for a non-profit organization and a few months later she got offered a better position at another organization that did similar work. She was really distraught about going over to a new job after just starting the other one, but, she was overqualified for the first job and not being challenged at all. I think she was there for that short time for a reason and she did a lot of good for the group while she was there, but she needed to move on when she was called at the right time.

So, you might be where you need to be for the time being. If something better that is good comes along and you really discern that it would be better that you take it, then go ahead. Careful not to be too hasty in decision making, though. Discernment takes time and can be fooled by emotions. If you are in a job that you feel is good, but you know it is not where you need to be in the long run, then you are there for a reason, but accept that it may not be that you are meant to stay there forever.

It helps to open yourself up to God's will and not your own. You don't know what the future has in store. This job may be the gateway to something you never thought possible. I understand completely how you feel, because, I too am in a similar situation and it is extremely hard to let God take the reins. It may be that once you reliquish controll and accept where you are, that things will start to change, and the change may very well be the happiness that you are seeking.

Answer 3

1) Thank God that you have a job. There are too many people outside who will be happy having yours.
2)Think that if you are there is because God wants you to be there. Everything has a purpose in life. Maybe you don't see it now but God´s pathways are perfect.
3) Do your job as if you were working for God, not for men.
4) Try to spread the news of salvation with your co-workers. Take it as a challenge. You will find it more interesting and spiritually stimulating.

Answer 4

Start by looking at the bright side of it.
As you sit there, think about the people who are laid up in hospitals and hospices in the last stages of cancer.
Be glad you could move around, sit and stand and walk.
Can you imagine a paraplegic and how he wished he could be doing your boring paperwork.
Most of all consider God who sees all things and who sees that one who has no job, that one who just got fired and YOU there thinking negative and complaining.
Consider that it is God who gave you the job and it is He you really do work for, so strive to please him and you will see how he will help you each day.
Give thanks for the job and remember others as I said who are in way worse condition than you.
In a word...be thankful.
Don't go by your feelings either, but think with your mind and realize that you are at work...WORK, so work.
For intellectual and stimulating stuff, try things that actually
are made to that purpose.
I think your problem is you're looking in your job for what is found elsewhere.
At work, you work, at play you play, so find what is geared for intellectually/spiritually stimulating things.
Grow where God planted you.
There are actually some plants that can only grow in the shade.
If you think you are in the shade with that job, then consider that perhaps that is the only place you can grow right now.

God bless.

Answer 5

You absolutely need to accept where your mind is at and switch jobs. I went to a very very wise and advanced spiritual mentor when I was worrying over taking this new and challenging and very financially rewarding job (I was worried that I was going to be abandoning my spiritual search, etc.). He looked at me and told me to take the job and makes lots and lots of money. And that I'd realize all of it -- including my worrying and even the job itself -- was no big deal. If there's attachment to something, you need to go and get into it and not feel guilty about it -- the guilt is what gives the attachment more power. Avoiding doing something for 'spiritual' reasons is, ironically, the most anti-spiritual thing you can do. Only when we fully experience not giving in to guilt and not making one thing or job more spiritual than another do we find REAL spirituality: we can ONLY learn this by going after what we think we want. And experiencing it. And not feeling guilty. And then we learn that it's all the same -- whether we make lots of money or not; whether we feel intellectually stimulated or not. And then we realize that nothing in the world is spiritual or not spiritual and we can come to an experience that IS spiritual.

Answer 6

I am going to make a guess here and hope that you have some kind of spiritual practice because you posted this in the section that you did

My suggestion is to move beyond the obvious details of the job and focus on the people that you are benefiting. If you pass a job site on the way to work, pray for them during the day as you fill out paperwork. Consider the good that you are doing for them and others just like them.

Ask God to show you other things to pray for during the day, as well. Intercede for the law makers, the people in charge of enforcing the laws, and those who will be affected by them. Pray that employers will be moved to treat their workers fairly and with compassion.

I've had one of those boooooring jobs that was for a good cause, too. I got through many a long day by stepping outside of the office in my imagination and "visiting" others in prayer.

Answer 7

Happiness and joy are elusive aspects of our lives that are simply experienced, and tend to disappear if we actively pursue them. Contentment is the prerequisite, that is being satisfied with what you do. The tasks that you do may seem mundane, but they are required for the eventual outcome that you and your fellow workers are endeavoring to accomplish, which is helping other people. What you do is important in making this happen. Your discontent comes from what you are focusing on with your thinking. What we think, determines how we feel, and our actions. Focusing and thinking on the big picture, the end results, may be helpful in finding that happiness. Even if you were to do something else, there will still be simple and boring tasks that must be done.

Answer 8

Almost any job is boring by the very nature of the repetition that is involved. I am a CNC Machinist and face the same difficulties as you.
My problem is solved by doing my Ministry work which is my passion.
You need to find something that offers you purpose, meaning and fulfillment in your life.
Almost everyone has a passion that is within the inner most part of their being. It may be singing, writing painting or whatever, I/m sure you get the idea.
Good luck and God Bless.

Answer 9

Firstly, don't quit your job, take some time alone and simply ask yourself what is it that really makes you happy, write It down on paper, then ask yourself is it achievable, I have always looked to the out doors for spiritual stimulation, nature and the environment we live in stimulates the intellect, there are so many things to chose from, example I have a small placer claim I needed to know how to find gold, I needed maps old ones this takes intellect to understand, anyway I don't want to bore you, so seek out your own hobby it's waiting for you good luck.

Answer 10

God wants you to be spiritually happy, that don't mean you will be happy with every aspect of your job or life. It is good that your seeking to be spiritually moved I think we need that in our lives, many times God wants us to make the first move and everything we do or everyone that we meet in life is for a reason so we need to bloom where God plants us. It may be good for you to try some volunteer work on the side in some way you would like to reach people,I have done some work at a place that feeds the homeless that helps fill my life with purpose by helping the less fortunate.
God dose have a purpose for your life and its the people that seek that purpose that God uses. I'll Keep you in my prayers brother. God Bless

Answer 11

I would suggest you talk w/ the Lord about this & how you feel. He already knows but He wants you to tell Him. Surrender and give it to the Lord. Once you do...you will feel free of your burden and trust in the Lord that He has His best interest for you. Leave it there at His feet...don't take it back. Focus on Jesus and ask Him how He wants to use you there. Ask Him to show you who to pray for and if He wants you to speak the good news of the gospel. He will show you. Stay in His Word for it is spiritual food for our soul.

Psalm 55:22
22 Give your burdens to the Lord,
and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

Luke 11:9-10
9"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Keep praying my friend...Prayer is very, VERY powerful. A book that may help you is
"Power of a praying husband" by Stormie Omartian.
You mentioned your married but it not only helps you pray for your wife but praying builds a close relationship with the Lord.
The author also has a book "Power of a praying wife" and your wife can be praying for you too. Very powerful!

One last thing do not give up in prayer.
Galatians 6:9
9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

God Bless!