Blog 6

In reading the Bloch article entitled, “Complexity, Chaos, and Nonlinear Dynamics” for this week, I had a few comments that I thought noteworthy for the purpose of this week’s blog post. The author introduces a new definition that is different from the norm that combines spirituality with current career theory. In essence, the definition had two components. The first was that spirituality included a sense of connection to something beyond the individual; the second was that spirituality is a search for meaning, purpose, and integration in life. In this article, I explore how the currently prevailing scientific paradigm, careers, and spirituality are all entwined, thus stressing relationships and meaning.

I believe some of the concepts discussed in this current article parallels nicely to some of the topics discussed in during week 3’s discussion post, when we reviewed the Duffy (2006) article. In this current article, the author notes that there has been very little in the way of spirituality when it comes to career development. In their research Bloch (the author of the article) and his associate Richmond, (1997) wanted to develop some practical approaches in order to help individuals experience the sense of connectedness between spirituality and work. As a result, they identified seven connectors between spirit and work that assist individuals in maintaining the sense of interconnectedness. 

The seven connectors are as follows:

·      Change: Being open to change in yourself and the world around you.

·      Balance: Achieving balance among the activities of your life such as work, leisure, and family

·      Energy: Feeling that you always have enough energy to do what you want to do

·     Community: Working as a member of a team or community of workers

·     Calling: Believing that one is called to the work one does

·     Harmony: Working in a setting that harmonizes with one's talents, interests, and values 

·    Unity: Believing that the work one does has a purpose beyond earning money.

The authors mention that spirituality enables each individual to consider his or her own contribution to the world, to the ongoing creation of the universe. I definitely believe that people are called to do certain jobs, and that they find meaning in their work by being able to do the work that they were called to do. I believe that everyone has his or her special talents and skills that were given to them by God, and that they are able to hopefully put them to good use in their chosen careers. It is hopeful that inventories and career development assessments will allow a better understanding into some of these skills that may align well with a specific career.