Moral dilemmas in everyday life

[CatholicMelody]

I know I should be always focusing on Godly things and not getting wrapped up in everyday life, but i get side tracked so easily throughout the day! It always seems like something is getting in the way of prayer time or something. any ideas on how to stay focused?!?!?!?!

also, i work with 2 fairly unGodly characters(stating from the actions and words they use all day) and I am really convicted by some of the things they say ( profanity usually, or Gods name being thrown about like trash) or by what they do. they are my superiors at work and are the only other people in the office. Anyways, my question here is, that sometimes i feel like in order to preserve my spirituality or umm, grow at all spiritually, or keep any kind of focus on things above, i should find another place to work. but i really enjoy the work i do and i have had this job for like 4 years almost! stability and everything. what should i do?!

 

[Joe_5859]

I know I should be always focusing on Godly things and not getting wrapped up in everyday life, but i get side tracked so easily throughout the day! It always seems like something is getting in the way of prayer time or something. any ideas on how to stay focused?!?!?!?!

This is the million dollar question, isn’t it? And I don’t think there’s a one-size-fits-all answer. The best advice I could give you (and give myself!) is to really make the effort to spend time in prayer each day. It’s a good practice to find time in the day to pray (like when you’re driving, or getting ready in the morning, etc). But it’s even more important to make time to pray. Schedule in even just 10 or 15 minutes to pray each day. Of course, Eucharistic Adoration is a great way to spend this time, if it is available. But, even if you just make it a point to spend that time in your room, that is also beneficial.

What really helps me is having some spiritual book to read. Something like Divine Intimacy by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis,The Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisiuex, or (of course) Scripture can be invaluable in helping to keep your focus.

The important thing to keep in mind is to not get too down on yourself for getting distracted. We all get distracted. Even the great saints struggled with this. If you start focusing in on how distracted you are, you just feed into it and get even more distracted. When it happens to me, I try to just laugh about my silliness and return my attention back to God. No need to beat yourself up about it.

If you’re looking for a good book about prayer (rather than spiritual reading like those above), I can recommend a few that were very helpful to me. First, the introduction of Divine Intimacy is I think the best summary of prayer I have ever read. Then, of course, there is section four of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2558-2865), which is dedicated solely to prayer. I would also recommend:

Prayer for Beginners by Peter Kreeft
The Great Conversation by Peter Kreeft
Opening to God by Thomas H. Green

These books are full of helpful tips to get one going in the right direction!

 

[Joe_5859]

also, i work with 2 fairly unGodly characters(stating from the actions and words they use all day) and I am really convicted by some of the things they say ( profanity usually, or Gods name being thrown about like trash) or by what they do. they are my superiors at work and are the only other people in the office. Anyways, my question here is, that sometimes i feel like in order to preserve my spirituality or umm, grow at all spiritually, or keep any kind of focus on things above, i should find another place to work. but i really enjoy the work i do and i have had this job for like 4 years almost! stability and everything. what should i do?!

This is a question I don’t think anyone here can answer. The first thing to do would be to talk it over with a trusted priest or spiritual director.

Generally speaking, I don’t think the Church would require you to leave your job and put your livelihood at risk provided that your job is not something inherently immoral (like working with pornography or something like that). We all work with people who have a less than ideal moral compass.

That being said, You would have to ask yourself if the situation is spiritually damaging to you and whether it would be prudent for your spiritual well-being to remove yourself from the situation.

But on the other hand, God calls us lay people to sanctify the world, and one of the main ways we do this is through our work. You may be the only Gospel your co-workers ever read, as the saying goes. So it is possible God wants you right where you are to be a witness to those you work with.

Of course, not knowing the details of your particular situation and not being a certified spiritual director, fell free to take all I’ve said with a large grain of salt! I’m just trying to bring up some general points in an attempt to be helpful. The best advice is to talk it over with a priest!

 

[CatholicMelody]

Thanks for shedding some light on my situation. Just to, um, clarify, I am a financial receptionist, hardly immoral, eh? I appreciate your advice very much! I can see now that it might be an opportunity to be an example. Although, I will have to work on it, as I am not sure how good I am doing so far. Thanks again!

 

[davidv]

But on the other hand, God calls us lay people to sanctify the world, and one of the main ways we do this is through our work. You may be the only Gospel your co-workers ever read, as the saying goes. So it is possible God wants you right where you are to be a witness to those you work with.

Along these lines. Since they are your superiors, do you have opportunities to discuss ways to improve thing in the office? If so this may present an opportunity to give them feedback as to how their behavior makes you feel and its impact your performance, if it has any. I would not try this unless there is an atmosphere that reflects a willingness to hear from others though.

 

[DawnInTexas]

I know I should be always focusing on Godly things and not getting wrapped up in everyday life, but i get side tracked so easily throughout the day! It always seems like something is getting in the way of prayer time or something. any ideas on how to stay focused?!?!?!?!

also, i work with 2 fairly unGodly characters(stating from the actions and words they use all day) and I am really convicted by some of the things they say ( profanity usually, or Gods name being thrown about like trash) or by what they do. they are my superiors at work and are the only other people in the office. Anyways, my question here is, that sometimes i feel like in order to preserve my spirituality or umm, grow at all spiritually, or keep any kind of focus on things above, i should find another place to work. but i really enjoy the work i do and i have had this job for like 4 years almost! stability and everything. what should i do?!

I pray a Hail Mary in my head. It takes 1 Hail Mary to wipe off the table, for instance. Get into the habit, and you’ll find yourself doing it all the time. 'Tis a good habit to get into.

A prayer a Monsignor has on his card (he gave me), and it reads to pray this often:

“O God be Merciful to me a Sinner.”

I knew a nun once, who she and her sisters and brothers (in Ireland) used to see who could ‘say’ “Jesus” the most during the day (they counted). Even the name of our Lord (in the right context) is a prayer.

When I hear the Lord’s Name in Vain, I nod my head. Depending on the situation, I may add something like “Have Mercy on Us” or “Bless Us” or “Mary and Joseph, pray for us”…

Make holy ‘lemonade’ out of ‘lemons.’ Even if it is quietly, inside your head. This works for me.

+Peace in Christ.

 

[joseph_virgen]

spirituality comes from within, simmering to demonstrate unto the world its existence. you are that truth, that light. knowingly , your superiors are undoubtedly benefiting greatly by your humility. remember, darkness hates light, it is its nature.

therefore be strong in your commitment to the Nazarene, know that love comes with much sacrifice, your sacrifice, your cross.

God has seen it prudent to put these poor souls at your mercy. do not abandon them.

what have you to fear, with god in your corner?

 

[LilyM]

When I hear profanity in my workplace I just say the one word - ‘language!’ Tone is everything if you’re going to do this.

It’s my way of at least letting everyone know that I’m not OK with it. What they choose to do with that information is then up to themselves. By the way, I also proudly wear my crucifix and couplea medals, so they know I say it because I mean it.