How are you? Really?
Before you respond “fine”, take the question and ask the person in the mirror. Don’t rush to answer it. In the age of to-do lists, electronic devices and messages coming in daily; how often do we self-reflect? Self reflect just means having a conversation with yourself or a monologue to be technically correct. Ask genuine questions, pause and be honest with yourself. What’s on your mind? What are you looking forward to? What are you worried about? What went well today? What could you have done better?
The theme for 2024 World Mental Health Day (10 Oct 2024) is “Mental Health at Work”.
It’s easy to complain about your salary, your boss and the working conditions. What is in your control? What keeps you at that job? What are the obstacles to finding another job? Are you prepared to sit at home or start your own business? I previously wrote that part of the definition of mental health is the ability to work productively and fruitfully while contributing to your community. The Bible goes even further in Colossians 3:23-24, urging us to work as though we are working for the Lord. If that is not happening, may I humbly prescribe:
- Pray for God to empower you to work for Him.
- Have honest conversations with trusted people about what needs to change in your job: whether it’s others, yourself, both, or the job itself.
- Reflect on what you can do to make the necessary changes within your control.
- Have honest conversations about the resources needed to make those changes and how to access them.
- Pray for God’s will to be done in and through you.