This came across my feed yesterday, I intentionally did not open until I had a quiet space and time to absorb. As expected I left feeling enlightened by your words-thanks a James for your words here and mentorship when I was underneath you in a little box
What I’m most grateful for today is that I’m in the little box below you now. The clients we serve, and work for are the big boxes above us. It’s a privilege to take good care of you. ❤️
I enjoyed reading this essay, James. Ben sounded like a wonderful human being. I want to borrow his quintessential questions because I find them to be beautiful questions to ask daily:
James, what a beauty this post is. Thank you for sharing what you learned from Ben, and for the gift of reminding us to look inward for these questions. 🙏
Rob - you're so welcome - and thank you for taking the time to respond! I hope WOP has been great for you and I look forward to reading what you are sharing on This Very Moment.
Wonderful essay, James. Reading this felt like having a deep discussion with a mentor. Thank you for posing the three questions. Three people came to mind: my water polo coach, high school teacher, and my first manager.
I'm 7.5 years into my career, half the time in your career when you felt a shift. I believe I have a lot of career left ahead of me, but I'll remember these questions going forward to ensure I orient my soul
Big smiles Rachael. I think it is our life’s work to build a relationship with our soul and develop the courage to orient our life, as you say, to what we hear.
Oct 13, 2023·edited Oct 13, 2023Liked by James Bailey
Such a heart warming story. I was reminded of a physics teacher in high school, who after me telling him that I really loved music let me bunk his classes and hang out in the music basement all day long. He stood up for me in front of my whole class, asking them to not just chase getting into a good college, but think differently "like Abhishek does". I've often thought of going back to my high school someday to meet him, maybe when he can be prouder of me. Those are good questions James, I think I've had my answers to them, maybe since I told my teacher that day that I love nothing more than music and that's why I don't come to attend (and also because I'd just broken up with a girl in my class); but I think the road to returning to that basement is longer than I could've anticipated 🥲
Music Music Music to your soul Abhishek! isn't it amazing that when we think back to our early years, that's where we can discover the direction our souls were pulling us. Thank you for sharing. I loved your story. Your physics teach would love to see you, no matter what. Because you are you.
A fantastic read that inspires me to express that gratitude more often and in diverse ways in conjunction with how I "spend myself" – my time. You made me think that gratitude can also be missing from my listening at times and keeping me from being that listener I want to be. When I am able to marry both together, they play well off each other. Thanks for this James, your posts always move me.
Kirk, Such great perspectives that totally build on the teachings from Ben. Gratitude - as a part of masterful listening is such a powerful concept - I will likely return to this and include it in a follow-up essay. #grateful for you!
The first person who came to mind is my grandmother. She taught me so much about what it means to me a Spanish Mystic. For a young man who wanted all the answers her contentment helped me enjoy the mysteries.
What a piece James. I know I’ll need to sit with it even longer. There’s a richness to your words depth here worth returning to. Grateful for you.
James, this is excellent and timely. There is a gentleman who doesn’t work at my company but our businesses have worked together for 20 years so we have had a lot of interactions and become great friends. He is 20 years older than me and getting ready to retire. He’s taught me more about life than business. I think I’ll reach out to him 😊
Hi Randy, I’m glad that my piece opened up that reflection for you - like your pieces open up perspectives for me. I’m sure he’ll love hearing from you.
Just beautiful James. My "person" passed away 13 years ago, but curiously, I had a wonderful dream just last night of the man, and the mood of the dream was just steeping in that quality of presence that he had, such that you just wanted to be around him no matter what was going on. This was so timely as I woke up feeling grateful for this person in my life. And I'm going to take your three wonderful questions for my own reflection.
-How do I wish to spend myself?
-What future can only be authored by me?
-What must be present for me to feel fulfilled?
Grateful for your story and that you have shared these.
This came across my feed yesterday, I intentionally did not open until I had a quiet space and time to absorb. As expected I left feeling enlightened by your words-thanks a James for your words here and mentorship when I was underneath you in a little box
Tahni, you’re so welcome.
What I’m most grateful for today is that I’m in the little box below you now. The clients we serve, and work for are the big boxes above us. It’s a privilege to take good care of you. ❤️
James, again I am in awe of your wisdom, and your ability to look at yourself, and make the changes you desire. You are my Ben!!
Katy, the feeling is SO mutual. You inspire me everyday. Love you. ❤️
"If you listen masterfully, what are the bubbles from your soul saying to you?"
Pay attention, and thank not-so-young-James for sharing this timely (and beautifully worded) masterpiece.
Karena, thank you 🙏 for the compliment.
I enjoyed reading this essay, James. Ben sounded like a wonderful human being. I want to borrow his quintessential questions because I find them to be beautiful questions to ask daily:
- For what am I grateful?
- To whom am I grateful?
- Am I expressing my gratitude?
Linart - so glad you enjoyed it and find the questions provoking. They are indeed wonderful to orient ourselves around daily. 🙏
This is a beautiful story, and beautifully written. Very inspiring! 💜
James, what a beauty this post is. Thank you for sharing what you learned from Ben, and for the gift of reminding us to look inward for these questions. 🙏
Rob - you're so welcome - and thank you for taking the time to respond! I hope WOP has been great for you and I look forward to reading what you are sharing on This Very Moment.
Wonderful essay, James. Reading this felt like having a deep discussion with a mentor. Thank you for posing the three questions. Three people came to mind: my water polo coach, high school teacher, and my first manager.
I'm 7.5 years into my career, half the time in your career when you felt a shift. I believe I have a lot of career left ahead of me, but I'll remember these questions going forward to ensure I orient my soul
Big smiles Rachael. I think it is our life’s work to build a relationship with our soul and develop the courage to orient our life, as you say, to what we hear.
Such a heart warming story. I was reminded of a physics teacher in high school, who after me telling him that I really loved music let me bunk his classes and hang out in the music basement all day long. He stood up for me in front of my whole class, asking them to not just chase getting into a good college, but think differently "like Abhishek does". I've often thought of going back to my high school someday to meet him, maybe when he can be prouder of me. Those are good questions James, I think I've had my answers to them, maybe since I told my teacher that day that I love nothing more than music and that's why I don't come to attend (and also because I'd just broken up with a girl in my class); but I think the road to returning to that basement is longer than I could've anticipated 🥲
Music Music Music to your soul Abhishek! isn't it amazing that when we think back to our early years, that's where we can discover the direction our souls were pulling us. Thank you for sharing. I loved your story. Your physics teach would love to see you, no matter what. Because you are you.
A fantastic read that inspires me to express that gratitude more often and in diverse ways in conjunction with how I "spend myself" – my time. You made me think that gratitude can also be missing from my listening at times and keeping me from being that listener I want to be. When I am able to marry both together, they play well off each other. Thanks for this James, your posts always move me.
Kirk, Such great perspectives that totally build on the teachings from Ben. Gratitude - as a part of masterful listening is such a powerful concept - I will likely return to this and include it in a follow-up essay. #grateful for you!
Ben and James... willing to be of selfless service to life in all its expressions. Beautifully written James, thank you.
DW, thank you. You're the chairman of the selfless service society. I'm honored to be contributed to by you. Love you.
Inspiring message and fantastic writing, as per usual.
Megan, Thank you! I hope you are doing well. YOU are a masterful listener, and I love that you are in the audience.
The first person who came to mind is my grandmother. She taught me so much about what it means to me a Spanish Mystic. For a young man who wanted all the answers her contentment helped me enjoy the mysteries.
What a piece James. I know I’ll need to sit with it even longer. There’s a richness to your words depth here worth returning to. Grateful for you.
Hi Steven, thank you for the gratitude. I’m glad that I’ve given you a piece to return to - since you’ve given me so many 😀.
Also, it’s neat to hear of your grandma and her influence on you, as well as her contentment.
I read a quote today: “everything will be OK, when you are OK with everything”.
Hope you’ve had a nice weekend.
Thank you for sharing your gift, Perspective. Absolutely illuminating and beautifully crafted.
Joe, thank you. #Grateful for you sharing your thoughts with me.
James, this is excellent and timely. There is a gentleman who doesn’t work at my company but our businesses have worked together for 20 years so we have had a lot of interactions and become great friends. He is 20 years older than me and getting ready to retire. He’s taught me more about life than business. I think I’ll reach out to him 😊
Thank you
Hi Randy, I’m glad that my piece opened up that reflection for you - like your pieces open up perspectives for me. I’m sure he’ll love hearing from you.
I have shared this with my person James. Thank you once again for touching my heart and connecting me with my very own soul in the process.
Lori - you’re so welcome. I’m glad your person heard from you. I love hearing from you. ❤️
Just beautiful James. My "person" passed away 13 years ago, but curiously, I had a wonderful dream just last night of the man, and the mood of the dream was just steeping in that quality of presence that he had, such that you just wanted to be around him no matter what was going on. This was so timely as I woke up feeling grateful for this person in my life. And I'm going to take your three wonderful questions for my own reflection.
-How do I wish to spend myself?
-What future can only be authored by me?
-What must be present for me to feel fulfilled?
Grateful for your story and that you have shared these.