I am a professional Electrical Engineer who worked most of my life as a Strategic Planner, Futurist, and Business Planner.
About 23 years ago, I came upon a little magazine on the news stand at my local drugstore in Regina, Canada. It was called The Science of Mind. I had never noticed it before.
I bought it and skimmed the contents - it was not the sort of thing I was reading in those days - my focus was on my career.
My wife was used to me bringing home unusual magazines just for the fun of it, but when I bought the next month's issue as well, she scolded me for wasting money a second time! I'm not even sure why I bought it.
Then my company began to be re-organized, and my department was dismantled. Several managers were 'dumped' downward into lower level jobs. Some co-workers were fired, seemingly on flimsy grounds.
I began to be concerned for my income and my family - we were in a recession, and jobs were not that plentiful. However, the company was looking for people to move to other districts. I didn't want to move, but no one else did, either. It occurred to me that it might be a way out. I reluctantly agreed to a meeting to discuss moving.
It was a blustery, cold day in March of 1987 as I walked across town (by this time my office had been moved out of our headquarters), and I was grumpy, to say the least. Crossing a windy street, I clearly remember thinking (Why me? Why can't I seem to get ahead?)
At this point, a loud voice (NOT MINE) in my head said, "You need to become more spiritual."
This thought had never once occurred to me. It seemed irrelevant, and even somewhat angered me, given the frame of mind I was already in. I thought, in response I suppose, "I'm just as spiritual as anybody else - and so what?" My anger and frustration came boiling up.
Suddenly, my way was blocked by a tall young man, blond, in winter parka. He was a head taller than me, twenty-ish, with strong build, and he was begging for money. I felt angered that a younger, stronger, even taller fellow than me should panhandle on the street instead of seeking a job. I refused to meet his eyes, and stepped around him. I mentally directed my anger at the stranger.
I took only about four steps, and then I thought, "I've just been tested - and I failed!" My spirituality was indeed found lacking. So I quickly turned around - to find no one there.
I looked for alleyways - there were none - it was a typical concrete jungle. Doorways - none. The street corner was half a block away - surely too far for the time that had elapsed? I even quickly backtracked to the corner - there was no one in either direction.
I was somewhat shaken as I continued on to my meeting. I agreed to the move - to Saskatoon, 150 miles to the north - home of my alma mater in the sixties. It meant a lower income, and a considerable real estate loss, but it took me out of the head office turmoil.
One month after our family had moved into our new home there was an ad announcing the formation of a Centre for Spiritual Living, the first in Saskatchewan (then called Religious Science). Another 18 years further on, both my wife and I were licensed as ministers. She since allowed her license to lapse.
The Science of Mind has calmed my inner rage, and brought a sense of forgiveness. Though I had held five different jobs over four years, I was able to let go of the stress. I never did return to middle management, and I realize now that I didn't have the human relations skills to advance much further. Some of those skills I have learned through study of the Science of Mind.
In 2004, I retired after 36 years in my former career. I am a Staff Minister at The Centre for Spiritual Living, Saskatoon.
My latest book, "Insights" summarizes some of the lesson I have learned.
