One Minute Meditations at Work: 365 Days of Inspiration on the Job

Copyright © 2011 Tom Zender

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ISBN: 978-1-4525-4146-4 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4525-4140-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4525-4141-9 (hc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011918803

Printed in the United States of America

Balboa Press rev. date: 10/26/2011

Contents

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Index of Meditations

Foreword

I have called burnout the disorder of hope, and it invades our work world with increasing persistence. No wonder! 10% of the United States workforce is without a job, 22% fear losing their job, 54% dislike their job and the result includes real burnout – including an array of mental and physical disorders. That is fact one. Fact two is that Tom Zender experienced stress in his career as a business worker and a corporate executive – and as the leader of a global spiritual movement he found a spiritual path for burnout recovery and prevention. Is Tom’s career experience with business and spirituality unique? Perhaps not. Unusual? Definitely.

One reason why he does not burn out is reflected in a comment he made on my Facebook page. It was in response to a discussion on how getting sick is often the only way in which busy people can get a rest. Tom wrote, "We’ve got to block out at least an hour per day for meditation, silence, prayer, reading, journaling, exercise, communication with family and friends … er, make that two hours, Joan!"

Two hours! Don’t panic, because we can do some of these things very effectively in a little time on the job – and this book is one of them.

One-Minute Meditations at Work taps deeply into the power of our inner spiritual nature, lifts us up a notch – away from the tyranny of burnout – to a place in consciousness for more peace of mind and serenity of soul in our workday.

That is the reward for the readers of this inspiring book.

Joan Z. Borysenko, Ph.D.

New York Times bestselling author of Minding the Body, Mending the Mind; and Fried: Why You Burn Out and How to Revive

Endorsements

Success always has a strong spiritual foundation. This elegantly simple and instantly powerful book injects a new spiritual awareness into our careers, jobs and work – in just one minute each day. Tom Zender masterfully raises the consciousness and confidence of people at work and their organizations. The result for the reader of this inspiring book is a more purposeful and fulfilling working life with less stress – and more success.

– Jack Canfield, co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series, and author of The Success Principles

With the wisdom of a wise and practical guide, Tom Zender gives us meditations not only for the work place, but also for the life-place, for our creative expression in the world at whatever task we work. We can all use them in our daily life to transform work toward co-creation.

– Barbara Marx Hubbard, Foundation for Conscious Evolution

With board and executive-level experience of both Fortune 500 companies and the Unity Movement, Tom Zender is living proof that spiritual practice is not in opposition to a healthy bottom line. His unique set of yearlong, once-a-day meditations offers a powerful set of tools as well as a convincing argument that bringing the Divine into work makes for both a successful business and a successful life.

– Lynne McTaggart, bestselling author of The Field, The Intention Experiment and The Bond

About You and Work

Most of us spend most of our waking hours, most of our lives, doing some kind of work. A common misconception is that only those who receive monetary compensation are truly working. Ask any volunteer, for example, if they work, and you will find quickly that most of them work intensely for no personal income.

A good possibility is that you will find yourself somewhere in a list of people who work, and you might discover that you have carried more than one work activity at a time – currently or at other times in your life:

• Employee (leader, manager, worker) in a corporation or smaller business

• Self-employed

• Employee of a nonprofit

• Volunteer

• Farmer or farm worker

• Homemaker (including men)

• Students of all ages

• Military personnel

• Retirees maintaining home and health

• Board members of a for-profit or non-profit organization

• Artists of all types

Now, you can realize that this book is an inspiration for improving your workday, everyday. In a few minutes each day, these meditations remind us that there is a power within and beyond us, Spirit, always available to inspire and energize us in our work – no matter what our career and jobs are.

This book is a dedication to you and your work.

About the Book

An increasing number of working people at all levels are turning to spirituality to find answers, comfort and meaning in their careers, jobs and work. Concerns about the economy, job losses and job stress appear in the media – and in private conversations at home and at work.

One-Minute Meditations at Work brings a new spiritual awareness into the workplace, while raising the consciousness and confidence of people at work, their organizations and the economy. The result is a more purposeful and fulfilling working life with less stress and more success – for anyone.

In a convenient format, One-Minute Meditations at Work provides daily spiritual and inspirational messages for working people of all faiths. Each one-minute reading focuses on a motivating word for the day, plus a supporting affirmation, a meaningful meditation and a relevant quotation by someone from history, the arts, sports, government, business and others.

The book reflects the author’s direct experience as a successful corporate executive, a productive worker, and the leader of a global non-denominational spiritual movement. He has personally written and used these meditations for years as a foundation for inspiration in his own daily work.

Tranquility of thoughts and stillness of spirit during times of work are priceless gifts for readers of this inspirational book.

You can start reading today because One-Minute Meditations at Work is timeless – the meditations are uplifting every day of every year.

About the Author

Tom Zender is a best-selling and top-rated author, a well-traveled keynote speaker and teacher, and an experienced expert about the topic of spirituality in our work, workplaces and businesses – raising work consciousness for organizational integrity, conscious commerce and economic peace. He is a successful business executive and a recognized spiritual leader (and a lifelong worker).

He held management positions at General Electric and Honeywell, and has been a senior vice president in three publicly held corporations – New York Stock Exchange, NASDAQ and OTC listed. In addition to his experience with large corporations, he has served as the interim CEO in entrepreneurial startup companies.

Tom Zender is the President Emeritus of Unity, a global trans-denominational spiritual movement. Under his leadership from 2001 to 2007, Unity expanded to serve more than 3 million people of all faiths worldwide.

His corporate board experience includes NASDAQ, Toronto Stock Exchange, and OTC listed public companies – and his nonprofit board positions have included the Association for Global New Thought, Ottawa University, the Evolutionary Leaders and the Forum for Corporate Directors.

Tom’s prior book about spirituality in work and business is God Goes to Work, which has been a bestseller among the top ten e-books in business ethics listed by Amazon.com. Published by John Wiley & Sons in 2010, the book is widely distributed in the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia and India.

His website is www.tomzender.com

About Spirit

Words are written and spoken symbols that represent our thoughts, emotions, ideas and physical environment. Frequently, the same words mean different things to different people.

The word God is often used (in the English language) to represent our individual and group concepts of an all-powerful, all-present, all-knowing and all-loving creator and sustainer of all life in the universe – at one level unseen, and at another level seen in everyone and everything.

Sometimes the English word God can carry meanings (which might be negative for some people) of religion and dogma rather than spirituality and love. Other English words that are commonly used in addition to God include Holy Spirit or Spirit, Lord, Source, Infinite One, Supreme Being, Creator, He, She, Father, Mother, Christ Consciousness, Presence, Divine Mind, Beloved, Universal Intelligence, Higher Power, Jehovah, Elohim, Allah, Buddha Mind, Brahman and many more.

International words representing God are many, and here are some samples: Dios (Spanish), Dieu (French), Gott (German), Gud (Swedish), 神 (Chinese), 하나님 (Korean), θεός (Greek), бог (Russian) and endless others.

Spirit is the simple, positive word used in this book to denote the active expression of a loving and wise supreme being, active throughout every aspect of our lives – including our work and business lives. Please feel free to substitute your preferred word for Spirit as you read this inspirational book. One-Minute Meditations at Work intends to include everyone and offend no one.

In the inhalation and exhalation there is an energy and a lively divine Spirit, who supports the breath of life, giving courage to all the people who are in the earth. — Michael Servetus

January

January 1 – Abundance

I now accept an infinite supply of good into my work.

Do I think that prosperity is my paycheck, bank account, or mutual fund? I might be limiting my true abundance if that is my thinking. Prosperity, wealth and affluence go well beyond money, and can include a loving family and other relationships, good health and the beauty of nature.

The real source of my prosperity is Spirit, always providing me with divine ideas for my work. There is an infinite supply of new ideas for increasing abundance in all areas of my work. Sometimes just by grace I receive a surprise material gift. At other times, receive the inspiration and energy to work on the gift of a creative idea.

My work provides a wealth of good in all of its forms for others and for me.

In God We Trust. – United States Currency

January 2 – Faith

I have faith in the best outcomes of my work and my life.

Where do I place my faith – in other employees, our products and services, or management? These are all valid, and yet there is an even higher level in which to place my trust.

Creative Spirit is the only true power in my universe and in my life. When I have faith in this infinite source of good, I see the highest purpose and path for my job. My faith may be small, and even if I have only a little, then great achievements are possible.

Each day at work and in other times, I can stop and spend some priceless moments in contact with my creator. Then I am ready for a great day in my work, at home, and in other places. My faith is stronger.

Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this is to see what you believe. – Saint Augustine

January 3 – Ask

I claim the power for my work from Spirit, the source of all energy.

Do I think that I am limited, lacking, or losing in some way in my job? It might be that I feel held down, or held back by something or somebody and that I cannot make further progress in my tasks, my work, and my job.

When I am feeling this way, I have an infallible answer by simply asking Spirit for the answer to my concerns. I can take a short break, even at my desk or workstation, and just take a few moments to ask. I shut my eyes, take a long breath, seek guidance, and am silent in faith.

The answer may come right away or later. It may come directly or through another person or in some other way, but it will come. The more I practice this in my work and throughout my life, the more I find that I always have right answers, in the right way, for my job and other challenges.

Ask and it will be given to you. – Matthew

January 4 – Celebrate

I celebrate all achievements in my work, creating more success.

When the momentum of my work is growing and I am being successful, do I take time to celebrate? Alone and with others, I have an opportunity to use each success to build another.

Anytime during the day that I am feeling success with a task, big or small, I take a moment to thank the source of all my achievements, divine inner Spirit. I can share in this joy with others, too. This builds the foundation for even more successes with members of my team.

Today I look for situations where I am meeting my goals with customers, products, services or processes. I give thanks and celebrate in all ways, knowing that more achievements are ahead.

Celebrate what you want to see more of. – Tom Peters

January 5 – Begin

I take the first bold steps in my job dreams, seeing divine results.

When I am at the brink of taking a first step to doing something new, building upon my dream, I might hesitate. If so, there is another first step to help me move forward.

That step is to communicate with Spirit, my inspiration, the source of my ideas and the strength of my actions. At the beginning of each step, I have an ever-ready and reliable friend to guide me and infuse me with great energy. I realize the dreams and goals of my career, job and work.

Today, as I go into my work and I think of my dream, I begin and as I take the first steps, I receive the intelligence, strength and serendipity for success.

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. – Goethe

January 6 – Forgiveness

I forgive others at work, and I have greater peace in my job.

Am I irritated or angry with someone, or something that is affecting my job? It is likely that I feel a block to my energy and ability to do my best work.

In these situations, there is a proven way to remove these obstacles. The transforming power of forgiveness is a gift of Spirit. I can ask for the strength to forgive anyone and anything. With greater ease, I forgive and then I receive forgiveness. My energy restored, I have more peace and my work is easier.

In all of my work – developing and producing products and services, meetings with customers and others, or administration – the next time I feel upset at work because of someone else I practice forgiveness as the best way to release them and myself for greater good.

Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom. – Hannah Arendt

January 7 – Power

Filled with Spirit’s energy, I do my very best work, always.

Am I feeling like I am holding back in my job because I am not charged up to do some task? Perhaps I am listless for reasons I do not even understand.

When I know that all power comes from divine inner Spirit, I can turn to this infinite resource for all the energy I need. Energy flows around me, in me and through me as I work. My soul, mind and body move with this life-giving energy.

If I am experiencing a loss of power in my work today or any day I stop for a few moments and rest in the great truth that I can be re-energized by my creator by taking a few moments to breathe, pray, and accept that which is freely given to me.

Our power is not so much in us as through us. – Harry Emerson Fosdick

January 8 – Caring

I constantly care about all others who are part of my work.

When I only care about myself at work, do I feel isolated and tense? This can be a signal that I have closed an important door to the possibility of greater outcomes in my job through improved relationships with everyone.

Others caring about me are a reflection of how I treat others. Loving Spirit has provided us with the Golden Rule, which is reflected by nearly every faith. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you is a universal spiritual principle that always works. Even when somebody does