Need an outlook change rather than a job change?

The Personal Finance Weblog hosts a book review by Justin McHenry of "A Life at Work by Thomas Moore".

McHenry writes, "One of the themes throughout the book that I appreciated was Moore's idea that not every passion is a career, and we shouldn't beat ourselves up about being on the wrong path if our #1 passion isn't our full-time job. We can't all realistically be musicians, or pilots, or authors or working tirelessly to end world hunger or whatever your passion may be. That doesn't mean you can't still pursue those passions and fit them into an overall satisfying life. Sometimes you need an outlook change more than a job change."

The reviewer concludes, "In the end, A Life At Work isn't a logical fit to review on a personal finance blog, because there's nothing here that's going to help you make more money or answer an interview question correctly. But work is where we make our money, and it's where we spend most of our time, so it makes sense to keep thinking about how to make that time rewarding in more than just dollars and cents." McHenry suggests Moore's alchemical approach may help.

Moore: "A life work is a multicolored, tattered quilt"

Jason McCarty, "... psychotherapist interested in philosophy, psychology, religion, culture, art and music...", shares his career confusions yesterday and today in "Jack No Master" and "Building a Work Life | the dark(stuck)ness is a beginning". The first post refers to Thomas Moore's book, A Life at Work: The Joy of Discovering What You were Born to Do and the second to David Whyte's book,  The Three Marriages: Reimagining Work, Self & Relationship. McCarty shares a quote from A Life at Work that resonates with his current concerns. Moore writes:

“A life work is a multicolored, tattered quilt. It is not a simple, monochromatic, one-size-fits-all template that you simply adjust to. It may have gaps and holes and incomplete sections. It may not even feel like a life work, especially when you are in the middle of it. There may come a time when you can look back and see the sense in all the parts and glimpse a true life work, but even then it may be full of holes made by a long history of struggles.”

McCarty's response? "Wow. That is me. But I don’t want to wait for the glimpse, I want to see now."

In the other post, McCarty includes two poems by Rainer Maria Rilke that Whyte shares in The Three Marriages. McCarty states, "I have been writing about this feeling I’ve had recently where I feel farther away from any clarity then ever before. What it looks like to move forward has never been so unclear, and yet I feel like I am in something. I feel far away. But Whyte is helping me to see that this feeling of far away is telling me something. I think it is possibly telling me both of the possibilities he offers: that I have forgotten where I am going (maybe never knew) and that I am at the beginning."

New Zealand reviewer praises A Life at Work

On Sunday Liz Sloan in Christchurch, New Zealand opens her review of Thomas Moore's book A Life at Work: The Joy of Discovering What You were Born to Do with "What a fantastic, thought-provoking book!" She shares passages from the book including Moore's view, "You need a spiritual vision, a philosophy of life and a deep, evolving sense of values. You need close relationships, participation in community and openness to social need." Sloan writes that A Life at Work is "... jam packed with insight." Her review for Goodreads ends, "I'll have to buy a copy to keep on the bookshelf for the amazing quotes that can be taken from it alone!"

Artist reviews vocation arc from 1999 to 2012

Artist Lesley Riley shares a 2008 blog post in today's entry, "More Art Already": "I speak of what I was thinking and doing in 1999 and am struck by how it was such a predictor of how my life has unfolded." She quotes Thomas Moore's book, A Life at Work: The Joy of Discovering what You were Born to Do. Riley describes combining verbal fragments with her art fragments: "The Fragment and quote are circa 1999. Now, almost 10 years later, after finding and living my calling, I am back examining my calling. But according to Thomas Moore, that is exactly what I should be doing, and that’s great news." The 1999 fragment quotes James Hillman's The Soul’s Code: In Search of Character and Calling.

Your life work is the mystery of who you are

"Your life work may not be your career or job but may include parenthood, volunteering, travel, hobby, art or some other contribution."
— Thomas Moore (@thomasmooreSoul) tweet, 24 January 2012

Earlier this month, the blog My Calling IQ quotes Moore's book A Life at Work: The Joy of Discovering What You were Born to Do with a passage stressing that your calling is unique: "A life work is different from a career in that it is always unique. No one has exactly the same calling that you have."

In this book Moore concludes, "Finding your life work is inseparable from maturing as a person and finding your place in society. To mature as a person you have to take considerable time sorting through, taking to heart, and resolving the mistakes and failures that have marked your progress. You have to refine the raw material of your emotions and jagged relationships, learning better how to engage the world effectively. You have to unleash your creativity in realistic ways, grounding your idealism and ambitions in real-world contexts."

Actress Tammy Felice reads Moore's work book

A Q&A profile of Los Angeles-based actress Tammy Felice in Wednesday's Pittsburgh Tribune-Review asks her about the last book she read.

Felice responds: "A Life at Work by Thomas Moore. He's brilliant. I can only read a few pages at a time, because it's so meaningful. I always carry it with me."


Felice played a model in CSI and has had roles in Men of a Certain Age, Femme Fatales,  and Live Fast Die Young.

Engage soul and spirit through your vocations

Today Michael D. Bobo reviews "A Life at Work by Thomas Moore" for examiner.com. As a Christian literature examiner, Bobo writes, "It is hard to envision a better candidate to communicate about the underlying purposes and spiritual value of working in this post modern grind." He summarizes Moore's approach to work, stressing the values of soul and spirit: "He proceeds to discuss soul and spirit since both must be engaged during work. Moore then takes an introspective turn to examine past experiences, failures, disappointments. A CV is a record of one's life experience. Moore suggests we have to engage our life story fully in order to move forward well in a life of work." Bobo ends his recommendation with a quote from the book about the process of maturation.

Library recommends Moore's A Life at Work

Milwaukee Public Library's reading blog shares a review of Thomas Moore's book, A Life at Work:The Joy of Discovering What You were Born to Do by Danielle R. in the library's Serials Department. Danielle concludes, "As it promises, this book isn't just about finding the right job but about uncovering who you were meant to be and finding opportunities that enhance that." This review echoes Moore's position in his recent twitter posts (@thomasmooreSoul): "Moore shows us that we are all unique beings and that each of us must chose a course that suits that uniqueness." A Llife at Work: The Joy of Discovering What You were Born to Do (2008) is published by Broadway Books.

Religion reporter follows her calling in daily job

CT@Prayer shares Tracy Simmon's work in the profile of her, "What makes religion journalist tick", describing her role as a reporter of religion. Simmons interviewed Thomas Moore when his book, A Life at Work: The Joy of Discovering What You were Born to do became available and asked him about career satisfaction:

"I interviewed Moore in 2008 when this book came out and asked him why people with steady careers were unhappy. He said people could be successful, even if they aren’t doing what they were created for. 

'…beneath the surface, your labors are shaping your destiny for better or worse. If you ignore the deeper issues, you may not know the nature of your calling, and if you don’t do work that connects with your deep soul, you may always be dissatisfied, not only in your choice of work but in all other areas of life,' he writes."

Simmons considers her role confronting ignorance and stubbornness that often influence reactions to religions:

"I believe that my true calling is to work as a journalist and educate people about various faiths. With the state of the media as it is religion reporters are an endangered species. So that means those of us left have to work a little harder to be heard.

So, yes, sometimes a clergyperson’s words will haunt me. But at the end of the day I feel even closer to God because, like I told Moore, I feel like I’m doing what I was born to do. And if it weren’t challenging, I’d be bored and would be one of those 45 percent of Americans who are unhappy with their careers."

Simmons is editor of Creedible.com, an online magazine that covers religion news in Connecticut.

Blogger suggests community includes passion

Mary Beth Coudal answers the question What is Community? with three things: hard work, passion and diversity. In her description of passion, she shares:

"I’ve been reading Thomas Moore’s A Life at Work. The guy’s good. He talks about following your bliss and paying attention to the stories you tell about yourself – your archetypes and night dreams.

Note to self: Moore says it’s okay to have a whole lot of passions (or 4 blogs!) – for work and life. When I heard Moore speak at Marble Collegiate Church years ago, he said the one word he couldn’t advise as a guiding principle in life is “balance.” Moore said, “If you have to choose between two things — do both!

I’m with him. I’m up for following my passion and following my bliss..."

Coudal also mentions liking Joseph Campbell's writings about the hero's journey.

Examine your commitment to positive acts in life

Rev. Howard Young, pastor of Woodland Worship Center in Hobart, blogs about Thomas Moore's book, A Life at Work: The Joy of Discovering What You Were Born to Do in today's "Faith Perspectives: Approach important tasks with passion" with the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

Young writes, "Moore believes that passion is "the becoming" of a person. It is therefore a good thing that we examine our commitment to the positive acts of our lives within the context of our work, recreation or any worthwhile interest." Young also suggests, "Act passionately, and you become passionate. Saying it this way makes passion a discipline. Do things that require passion and nurture a sense of enthusiasm for certain things, and the passion will come."

How to obtain soulful meaning from work

Between Oct. 30 and Nov. 15, Barque follows Andre Milteer blogging about Thomas Moore’s book A Life at Work. Now Milteer loads a video on YouTube to share his three major learnings from Moore’s book.


Milteer describes the video's setting on Nov. 20.

Reader hears personal message: A Life at Work

Editor's Note:
Part 2 of Milteer's coverage of A Life at Work appears Nov. 1.
Part 3, which explores  "the calling," appears Nov. 3.
Part 4, Soul and Spirit appears Nov. 7.
Part 5 on Nov. 9 considers working in the tower.
Part 6 on Nov. 13 looks at loving your work in A Life at Work.
Part 7 The Conclusion on Nov. 15 summarizes Milteer's reflections about the book.

Andre Milteer found a gem tucked behind some cook books at an outlet store according to his post this Friday. After Milteer discovered a copy of Thomas Moore's book A Life at Work (2008) he writes, "For the last several years, I had embarked upon a personal quest to discover meaning in both my personal as well as professional life. It is said, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear! I can attest to that axiom. Thomas Moore’s A Life at Work was written especially for me." He shares:

Moore entreats the reader (finger pointing to me), to engage in introspection via spiritual insight as well as in-depth grounded research. This in-depth, grounding is that of finding one’s roots. Getting in Touch with the Soul. Then, and only then, can one hear the Calling--Voice--Urgings to go along a particular path ... Yet again, A Life at Work has spoken to me in a most sensual manner. I hear the call to fully explore its meaning; the need to share my thoughts is too great."

Milteer plans to publish a more extensive response to Moore's book.

Education journalist recommends A Life at Work

Professional writer and education journalist, George Lorenzo, recommends Thomas Moore's book about right livelihood on his site, Educational Pathways. In February, 2010 Lorenzo writes:

"Another book worth noting is A Life at Work by another one of my favorite nonfiction authors, Thomas Moore. This is an uplifting book that was written for people who are seekers, always on the lookout for how to make their lives more autonomous, masterful and purposeful, in line with their true ambitions and spiritual selves. It’s a short 180 pages, and I read it whenever I need a lift because it is a simple affirmation of what life is really all about. You can, indeed, become the person you were meant to be, and there will always be obstacles along that pathway that you need to experience in order to discover your purpose. That’s how I now look at the recent corporate experience I had – it was merely a learning-based obstacle along the educational pathway of what I really want to do with my life and work.

Moore explains how many people are working in jobs that he refers to as small in scope and so insignificant that they do not allow them to engage in their higher ideals. He says that staying in such a job freezes your spirit; you become stagnant, and you wind up retrogressing and unengaged in the visionary aspects of living."

Moore's book, A Life at Work: The Joy of Discovering What You were Born to Do is published by Broadway Books, 2008.

Listen to your daimon to find your life's work

"Who is the storyteller creating your biography?" — James Hillman

David McInerney opens his blog post, "The Calling: Discovering Our Soul's Work", with the quotation above. He then describes his moves from a well-paid corporate position to becoming a psychotherapist. McInerney quotes Thomas Moore's A Life at Work: The Joy of Discovering What You Were Born To Do (2008) about the role of the daimon before writing:

"In addition, some family members thought my decision was misguided, so I was happy to see that at least Moore understood me when he said: "When you consider the spiritual aspects of work, you have to use a logic that is different than the world’s reasoning" (p. 158). Taking this bold plunge by defying convention and watching it all come to fruition is a deeply satisfying part of this journey. Many people are bound by cultural expectations and are therefore perpetually frustrated and unfulfilled.

Connecting to one’s daimon is perhaps the key component in extricating oneself from a soul-numbing job in order to embark on a meaningful path. Unfortunately, the tyranny of technology, religion, and materialism can conspire to cut us off from our innermost selves. Whether it is alienated teens in suburbia or alcoholic bread-winners high on the corporate ladder, many individuals often try to squeeze their souls into a cultural reality that does not allow them to be who they are. To connect to the daimon requires the courage to shine a light on one’s inner world, with all its unpleasant humanness. It takes practice and rigor to listen closely to one’s inner life so that the connection to one’s calling (or callings) can be recognized and teased out. If one lives in a culture which does not support or understand this kind of work, one may never make time for it."

McInerney has a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, CA.

Corporations sponsor chaplains in the workplace

For The Wall Street Journal, Sue Shellenbarger writes about corporate chaplains,"Praying With the Office Chaplain":

"A growing number of companies are offering the services of chaplains in the workplace. Managers say many employees who wouldn't think of calling a therapist or an employee-assistance program will willingly turn to a chaplain ...

Following the military-chaplain model, these roving spiritual advisers typically visit offices or factories weekly, greeting employees, hanging out in the break room, handing out business cards and meeting one-on-one with workers. But they're also on-call 24/7, so chaplains rush to hospitals, restaurants or homes on request, providing comfort and support free of charge to employees.

They perform weddings or funerals for people who have no one else to do so. And they pray with employees over problems from medical or marital crises to job loss, addiction and financial woes, holding the information in confidence."

She reports, "In another side of spirituality at work, about 15% of employers have set aside space for prayer or religious practices in the workplace, and 9% allow religious groups to meet on-site, says a 2008 survey of 543 employers by the Society for Human Resource Management. Texas Instruments Inc. offers 'serenity rooms' where employees can go to pray and meditate."

Thomas Moore writes about spirituality in the workplace in his book A Life at Work (Broadway Books, 2008).

A life at work may include failure and instability

In the post "Life's Work", dated 7 February 2010, The Positivity Project blog reviews Thomas Moore's A Life at Work with favoured quotes and personal insights. The blogger's comments show how one's attitude toward paid employment may fuel accomplishments at work. She particularly likes Chapter 12 in which Moore writes:

"Your life work is about your life first. You can fail and quit and change and go down the ladder of success and still have a life work. You don't even have to understand how failure and instability have made you who you are. These things are often inscrutable. You only have to trust that your story is unfolding and you will eventually understand what it means."

The blogger includes, "I love the idea that your entire life is your work."

Resurgence Magazine reviews A Life at Work

For Resurgence’s November/December 2009 no. 257 magazine, Jordi Pigem reviews Thomas Moore’s book, A Life At Work: The Joy Of Discovering What You Were Born To Do. According to the piece, Pigem has taught at Schumacher College and the University of Barcelona.

Pigem writes,

"Moore takes the alchemical quest (which was traditionally referred to as opus – that is, 'work') as a model for "the lifelong process of getting life together and becoming a real person". This process should turn you into "a deeper, more complex, more mature person through your struggle". Many classical authors felt the presence of what in ancient Greece was called the daimon, an urge that we are born with and that pushes us in a certain direction throughout our life. Perhaps in our shifting, liquid world, we shouldn’t think of single callings that are cast in stone for one’s lifetime. And we know the task of finding our self-realisation through our work is not easy in a world that values efficiency and economic abstractions over values and callings. But often it’s not we who find a job, but rather the job finds us."

In addition to Moore’s book, Pigem recommends Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose, or James Hillman’s The Soul’s Code: In Search of Character and Calling to readers keen to craft their opus.

Reviewer recommends Moore's A Life at Work

Today John Morris reviews Thomas Moore’s A Life at Work: The Joy of Discoverig What You were Born to Do. After writing that he found Care of the Soul too dense to finish reading, Morris identifies key concepts used by Moore in A Life at Work:

"Fundamentally, it’s important to understand Moore’s concepts of spirit and soul. In his writing, spirit is something within us that looks forward, lives in the future and dreams big. It is the vision that lives within us and pushes us to be all we can be and do all we can do. The soul, by contrast, has roots in the past, keeps us grounded in our own history, learns from our experience and is our quiet connection to meaning. It is our soul that not only defines our deepest desires... it is our barometer for knowing when [we] are fulfilling our life’s purpose."

In his last paragraph Morris states,

"Summing up, I found the book difficult to read but worth the struggle. I suspect I’ll read it a few more times. It is almost poetic in its composition. (Which may contribute to its complexity.) The modicum of success I achieved in these initial readings in fact have inspired me to go back to another attempt of Care of the Soul."

Ask yourself questions to discern your life's opus

As Thomas Moore toured last year to promote his book, A Life at Work: The Joy of Discovering What You Were Born to Do, we posted links to blogs of people who attended his sessions and summarized his presentations. We missed this one, Thomas Moore Lecture Notes, posted 7 April 2008 by Patricia. At the end of her post, Patricia writes,

"How do you find your heart’s desire?
Try asking some of these questions and examining them honestly with yourself:

What does the soul want?
What is needed in me?
What is wanted?

What is my nature?
What did I want as a child? (We can get hints from our childhood)
What did I fear as a child?
What are my anxieties?"