Paulo's Perspective

Advice From the Tarot.com Founder: August 10, 2010

by Paul O'Brien

Work vs. Other Passions

Hi Paulo,

My dilemma is should I be exerting more effort in this business I'm currently in and try to work on my passions simultaneously, or should I try to wind this one down as I search for something else like a non-profit business which is more planet friendly?? How do I get clear about a specific direction for myself? I am just so scattered and have so many interests; its really difficult for me to narrow it down. Thank you so much for all you do, you are really a great inspiration!
- Glenda, Las Vegas, NV

Glenda, some people are more focused than others by temperament. For instance, I am  disposed toward a love of variety (it's not ADHD, I swear). When I first became an entrepreneur, my business suffered by developing three unrelated kinds of software, and eventually went belly up -- partially as a result of a lack of focus, marketing synergy and efficiency. The design and development process satisfied my creative desire to do new things, but my scatteredness made the company non-sustainable, relative to the higher priorities of making payroll and paying the rent.

The answer to your dilemma lies in identifying your current hierarchy of values and being totally clear what your higher priority is, in order to make a balanced decision. Even though I was more excited about my work than you seem to be right now, I still kept up various creative passions on the side. I took classes. I wrote. I did some speaking. I volunteered as a meditation teacher. And I've been host of a community radio interview show for 26 years. I didn't have as much time as I would have liked to devote to these extra-curricular activities while I was trying to make ends meet, but I never let go of them and now that I sold my last business, I do them full-time!

My last company was a success partly because I put a two-man Advisory Board in place and didn't make any strategic decisions for ten years without convincing at least one of them. These guys were not yes-men -- they were more like mentors -- and focus was their middle name (I gave them stock to help with that). And if they hadn't talked me out of all kinds of 'creative' ideas that I passionately argued for, my second company probably would have not done so well either.

It doesn't matter so much what your "day-job" is -- as long as it's not harmful -- it's OK for you to stick with, or go with, the one that simply pays the best. Money isn't everything, but as one who has worked without pay a lot, I know how important financial sustainability is (especially so during times of high unemployment). Switching jobs is expensive; switching careers is very expensive. But if you are under 40 -- or have a lot of savings, and you are strongly attracted to a specific different career that can support you, it might be worth a switch.

Being able to make a living doing something you love is very cool, but it is a rare luxury. By the way, this is a good type of question to divinate on! Ask the I Ching or Tarot "What is the best approach to take vis-a-vis my career or work-choices?"

Is God Punishing Me?

About a year ago my family and I were staying at a homeless shelter. We had a lot of challenges before we could achieve self-sufficiency. During this time we fixed a lot of things in our lives, such as getting our driver's licenses back, getting jobs, recovery, etc. Out of the blue, a charity selected us -- a needy family -- to receive a car. It was the nicest and most beautiful car we've ever had. We knew it was God and that he blessed us with it because he was proud of us.

Recently, I got into a car accident. Though I'm grateful nobody was hurt, I now feel like I'm being punished. I don't understand why this had to happen?

- Lisa, Mather CA

There are as many ways to look at God as there are people talking about it. Most Christian sects speak of God as some kind of personal agent of creation, but there are countless millions who see God as an impersonal creative life-giving force -- not as a personality that is paying special attention to human activity, but as a resource that is always there for us (and not judging us at all). On the fundamentalist end of the spectrum, people believe in some kind of super-parent -- an omniscient and omnipotent ruler -- who is super aware of ALL our thoughts and behaviors, and is actively rewarding or punishing us. And there are many gradations between these two views.

A problem with fundamentalist belief systems is that they infantilize people. In fact, it starts very young with shaming -- guilt and fear -- including fear of the divine itself (as in "God-fearing") -- all of which stunts spiritual growth. Convince children there is something wrong with them, teach them about eternal torture unless they tow the line, convince them that you are the voice of God and for the rest of their lives you can get them to do all kinds of things. Popes and ministers know this.

Fear has been used to control populations for centuries. Moving past fear takes faith -- real faith -- in yourself, in your own divine capabilities like intuition, and in your belief that you can solve problems with Creative Power operating through you. In your case, you have already shown that you CAN do that -- which in fact may be why the charity chose your family in the first place -- congratulations!

Bad stuff happens to good people -- and good stuff, too. Focus only on what you can change (starting with your beliefs and attitudes). Open up to new possibilities and more good things will be allowed in. As to why good or bad things just seem to happen -- well, while it's fascinating to think about, figuring it all out is not our job -- or even within our human capacity. Our best move is to channel Creative Power in order to make better choices -- not to worry about what a hyper-critical God supposedly thinks of us. "Judge not."

You've come a long ways, so don't give your power away -- it is your divine heritage. Stay creative, adaptable and ever resourceful!

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