Patch Aure

Flowing into good works

Flowing into good works

When we experience flow or enter the zone when we do good works, do we not get a glimpse of what it means to channel a Higher Power?

The good works that we do become testaments to who we are and who we will be. Our challenge is to be consistent throughout the different contexts we will encounter.

John 10:31-42. If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-090: MARCH 31, 2023]

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Patch Aure

If we were to pause and reflect, what would our true highlight reel consist of?

If we were to pause and reflect, what would our true highlight reel consist of?

While social media enables us to share the highs of our lives, it also encourages us to curate an image that isn’t entirely authentic. We often find ourselves seeking validation through likes, comments, and shares, creating a feedback loop that feeds our ego and fosters a sense of self-importance.

To manage this, we must first recognize that life’s most significant moments often go unnoticed in the digital world. The quiet acts of kindness, the genuine connections we forge with others, and the personal growth we experience – these are the true highlights of our lives. When we focus on cultivating these aspects, we can foster a sense of balance and genuine self-worth that is not reliant on external validation.

It is essential to approach social media mindfully, using it as a tool to connect and inspire, rather than to compete and compare. By being conscious of our intentions and practicing humility in our digital interactions, we can navigate this world without succumbing to narcissism. Ultimately, the key lies in remembering that our true worth extends far beyond the curated images and highlights we share online.

John 8:51-59. If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-089: MARCH 30, 2023]

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Carry that weight

Carry that weight

There’s something about carrying the weight of the truth – it is both heavy and light.

The experience of carrying the weight of the truth can feel like a paradoxical phenomenon. The weight of truth is a burden that many are afraid to bear, while at the same time, it can provide a sense of freedom and enlightenment. The delicate balance between the heaviness and lightness of truth is what defines the human experience, as it shapes our relationships, our choices, and ultimately, our destiny.

Boy, we need to be comfortable carrying that weight a long time!

John 8:31-42. “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-088: MARCH 29, 2023]

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Patch Aure

When we follow a leader’s commands

When we follow a leader’s commands

When we think of a leader we are loyal to, why do we obey that leader’s commands?

I doubt that our loyalty is blind (or else, we admit that we are not followers of a leader but fans of an idol).

Our loyalty and obedience are most authentic when we view that the commands of the leader are consistent with our shared values and shared mission. In this sense, enacting the command of our leader means that we feel that the leader is with us.

Not dictative, but co-creative. A leader is not a dictator, but a co-creator.

John 8:21-30. The one who sent me is with me.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-087: MARCH 28, 2023]

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We should throw ourselves, not stones, towards others

We should throw ourselves, not stones, towards others

When we cast judgement towards others, is it really about assessing them or is it more about making ourselves feel good? Do we really have to throw heavy stones towards others to feel lighter?

What is more difficult – more vulnerable – is to throw not stones, but ourselves, towards others. When we try to connect and relate, at the risk of our vulnerability, we open ourselves to suffering. But when we choose to pick up ourselves rather than stones of judgement, we better predispose ourselves to love and to be loved.

John 8:1-11. “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-086: MARCH 27, 2023]

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Patch Aure

Symptoms are not our foes

Symptoms are not our foes

Symptoms are not our enemies, but rather helpful signals our body sends. Instead of only wishing for them to disappear, we should focus on what they reveal about our health. Being ill doesn’t always mean we lack something; it can also show that something is preventing us from feeling our best.

By paying attention to these signs, we can learn more about ourselves and work towards a healthier life. Embracing symptoms as guidance, instead of fighting against them, can lead us to a better understanding of our bodies and the path to well-being.

Maybe a suitable analogy is the final rep of a person lifting weights. The final rep is where failure and pain are most probable, but it is also where growth and breaking our limits happen. The good news is that we can surpass our limits – our perceived weaknesses and illnesses.

Or, we can have faith that someone will spot us and help us make that one final rep.

John 11:1-45. “This illness is not to end in death, but is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-085: MARCH 26, 2023]

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Fear and courage are two sides of the same coin

Fear and courage are two sides of the same coin

Fear and courage may seem like opposites, but we can frame them as being two sides of the same coin.

Fear is a basic part of being human. It helps keep us safe by warning us about danger. Courage, on the other hand, is the strength we find within ourselves to face our fears. It is our fear that helps us grow and learn. Fear is the opportunity for courage to take place.

The fear of the unknown can understandably paralyze us. But it is through faith and a serendipitous encounter with a benevolent Higher Power that allows us to take courage and strengthen our resolve.

It is alright to be afraid. It is alright to stop and protect ourselves. But our responsibility is to find the appropriate timing to face our fears, surface the courage lurking within our souls, and fight the battle to be better persons today than yesterday.

Luke 1:26-38. But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-084: MARCH 25, 2023]

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Patch Aure

Timing and faith

Timing and faith

Finding the right time means navigating time, space, and chance. Having great timing also presupposes that we have developed skills, talents, or even virtues so that we can take advantage of serendipity.

The right timing also requires faith. This is because no matter how much we prepare ourselves, there are many things beyond our control.

When our virtues overlap with chance (or better yet, with the divine), we can grasp what it means to truly develop and flourish. In the meantime, let’s keep the faith.

John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30. Because his hour had not yet come.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-083: MARCH 24, 2023]

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How have we behaved?

How have we behaved?

In dealing with each other, there are so many things behind the scenes that we can barely see or sense. The most tangible or concrete thing we can assess is our work or behavior.

Why have we behaved in certain ways? Do our behaviors indicate a certain pattern that could define an aspect of who we are?

The challenge to be authentic means to be mindful of our behaviors – deliberate even – so that our behaviors become manifestations of our beliefs, attitudes, values, and intentions.

If we want others to have faith in us, the low-hanging fruit is to build a track record of behaviors that others can lean on and trust.

How have we behaved? Hopefully, we have behaved in such a way that we deserve to have the faith of others. Or at least, we should be able to deserve to have faith in ourselves.

John 5:31-47. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-082: MARCH 23, 2023]

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Finding the spirit in the work that we do

Finding the spirit in the work that we do

A very transactional view of work makes it seem like a soulless activity – absurd, meaningless, and even BS. This kind of view towards work is not sustainable for any person. Such an approach may lead to burnout, disengagement, and a lack of fulfillment.

However, when we align our skills, passions, and values with our work, we can better discover the spirit of the work, which may have been cultivated by our mentors and those who went before us. This transformation allows us to see our work as an essential component of our lives, with the potential to bring meaning, purpose, and joy.

Imagine if corporations and organizations design systems and virtuous cycles where we interdependently create value and meaning with and for each other. In this vision, organizations become more than just profit-driven entities; they evolve into sacred spaces that nourish our spirits and foster a sense of community.

John 5:17-30. “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.”

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-081: MARCH 22, 2023]

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