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A Life at Work: The Joy of Discovering What You Were Born to Do
by
Thomas Moore
A job is never just a job. It is always connected to a deep and invisible process of finding meaning in life through work.
In Thomas Moore’s groundbreaking book Care of the Soul, he wrote of “the great malady of the twentieth century…the loss of soul.” That bestselling work taught readers ways to cultivate depth, genuineness, and soulfulness in their everyday lives, and bec...more
In Thomas Moore’s groundbreaking book Care of the Soul, he wrote of “the great malady of the twentieth century…the loss of soul.” That bestselling work taught readers ways to cultivate depth, genuineness, and soulfulness in their everyday lives, and bec...more
Paperback, 208 pages
Published
January 6th 2009
by Broadway
(first published February 26th 2007)
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Definitely one to pass around, given to me for Christmas by my parents. Explains why many people are dissatisfied with jobs/work and how that permeates into other areas of life and personality. Also relates finding your purpose to the practice of alchemy - got me interested.
Moore explains how to care for your soul and spirit and how to encompass your past/bad times to make that fuel who you are now/who you will become (meant to be).
Finding your purpose is not a one step easy proce...more
Moore explains how to care for your soul and spirit and how to encompass your past/bad times to make that fuel who you are now/who you will become (meant to be).
Finding your purpose is not a one step easy proce...more
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This wasn't the book I was looking for. That's not the book's fault, really, but it was a disappointment to me because it wasn't what I was expecting.
I was expecting a self-help book that would give me tools to try to decide what the "right" job for me would be. To find a job that I would enjoy doing, and that would support my lifestyle. Instead, its more a spiritual book that uses Alchemy as an analogy for life and work. In the same way Alchemists gathered all kinds of ma...more
I was expecting a self-help book that would give me tools to try to decide what the "right" job for me would be. To find a job that I would enjoy doing, and that would support my lifestyle. Instead, its more a spiritual book that uses Alchemy as an analogy for life and work. In the same way Alchemists gathered all kinds of ma...more
Part of Oliver DeMille's review of this book is this:
"Above all, this is a book about depth. So much in life is shallow, but your life itself must find real depth in order to find true success, happiness and meaning. There are so many books in this genre, but this is certainly among the very best! Whatever you do, be sure to read pages 91-95, and study the section on how our most important answers in life don't come rationally (p. 122-140)! Finally, what are the phases of your l...more
"Above all, this is a book about depth. So much in life is shallow, but your life itself must find real depth in order to find true success, happiness and meaning. There are so many books in this genre, but this is certainly among the very best! Whatever you do, be sure to read pages 91-95, and study the section on how our most important answers in life don't come rationally (p. 122-140)! Finally, what are the phases of your l...more
This is a self-help book, about how to find out what you were born to do. I found it very inspiring, and so interesting to read that I gulped it down. I intend to read it again much slower, highlighter pens in hand.
And I did re-read it! Actually there were chunks of the book where I really did wonder what Moore was on about. He talked a lot about mythological Gods and Goddesses, and I didn't quite see how that related to the rest of the book.
This book isn't about choosin...more
And I did re-read it! Actually there were chunks of the book where I really did wonder what Moore was on about. He talked a lot about mythological Gods and Goddesses, and I didn't quite see how that related to the rest of the book.
This book isn't about choosin...more
Moore does a good job distinguishing between getting a job versus finding ones calling. To some extent he builds upon the excellent foundation he set in his popular book, Care of the Soul, and applies it to "nurturing" our soul in conjunction with earning a livelihood. Moore writes with a casual, conversational manner and is not at all preachy! He does not hesitate to draw from his own personal experiences to illustrate his points. Although I've been waiting for my "burning bu...more
Mme. Bookling ~
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone searching for meaning
What has currently been sticking with me as I seek to understand the mysterious turns life brings, specifically in finding a life work that brings meaning.
"It may take some magic to find the work that heals you and makes you feel alive. If you are not grafted onto your nature and to the source of your life, you may be doing work that is dry and infertile. You don't feel good doing it because it isn't part of the system that includes all three parts: you, nature, and work. It ...more
"It may take some magic to find the work that heals you and makes you feel alive. If you are not grafted onto your nature and to the source of your life, you may be doing work that is dry and infertile. You don't feel good doing it because it isn't part of the system that includes all three parts: you, nature, and work. It ...more
You know, I have never made it through an entire book by Thomas Moore, despite feeling that his books are the sort of thing I should be interested in. His rambling musing style just doesn't do it for me. I thought maybe this book would be different, but it's just not keeping my attention. I'm halfway in, and I doubt I'll finish it.
My biggest problems:
1) I was tired of his alchemy analogy before he even used it. Is your life work like alchemy? But alchemists were idealisti...more
My biggest problems:
1) I was tired of his alchemy analogy before he even used it. Is your life work like alchemy? But alchemists were idealisti...more
I've always found Thomas Moore's work to speak directly to the deepest part of my soul in a healing way, and he has done it once again. To read about his soulful journey that meanders about as my own, is quite inspiring, more than likely because he is such a good writer and his is intensely successful by our world's standards. However, he makes you feel like that's not what matters . . . which is good, right? Kind of a dichotomy in values, which works for me.
Excellent look at finding one's life work centred around analogy with the alchemists work of transforming raw material into spiritual gold. Raw materials being our deep roots, past, heritage, soul longings. Final spiritual gold, multicoloured pheasant's tail, being a life work that is multifaceted like the individual himself.
I have noted my most significant quotes from the book here http://polina.polinet.com.au/2010/quotes...
I have noted my most significant quotes from the book here http://polina.polinet.com.au/2010/quotes...
I have read several of Thomas Moore's books over the last 20 years. I never fail to take something away from them to help me be at a higher level of peace in my own life. I set this book down for many months and just picked it up again to finish. The last few chapters are helping me to ground in my life now, enjoy the work I do now and look forward to where it will lead me, what I will learn from it to take on to the next part of my journey in my life's work. I have always admired the peace ...more
Clare
added it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
everyone
Recommended to Clare by:
college lecturer
Am reading this book for college. Its interesting but I found it a bit tedious towards the end, but it would certainly be a good book for anybody trying to find the best work for themselves. Have also started The Three Marriages by David Whyte and that seems to me to be far better in the way in which it is written and I'll get back to yis on that one.
"It is difficult to find your life work when most of the jobs you try show little evidence of a spiritual dimension. A life work is a spiritual thing. It goes infinitely deep into your reason for living"
There were a lot of good points in this book. I am a very spiritual person so I felt really connected to the author and what he wrote in this book.
There were a lot of good points in this book. I am a very spiritual person so I felt really connected to the author and what he wrote in this book.
Moore's most disappointing book to date. It feels contrived and a bit like the author is just trying to ride the wave of success of his other books and maybe make some pocket money. This book is not good enough and does not seem to have been really worked on with care and attention.
Sorry, Dr. Moore.
Sorry, Dr. Moore.
I liked this book. Moore has got a really nice voice, and I appreciated his take on a lot of subjects. He says a couple of things that stand out, and the common knowledge that he reiterates is good stuff to be reminded of, the kind of stuff you're hoping to recall when you read a self-help book.
Thomas Moore is my "go to" guy. When I am feeling particularly lost, I seek him out for guidance. Moore does not offer platitudes or quick solutions or even solutions to life's dilemmas. Instead he reminds us of life's many mysteries and of the human need to live life soulfully, spiritually, and honestly. This process is not necessarily easy nor painless. It takes a certain amount of courage and risk.
Since I am not a writer like Moore, it is difficult to articulate the dep...more
Since I am not a writer like Moore, it is difficult to articulate the dep...more
Moore's great; easy to read and wise. This book will not tell you how to update your resume, or crush that interview. It will provide at least a framework for thinking about work, your work, and how to shape your life.
I'd already read one of Thomas Moore's books before reading this one. I think this book would've been the better book to start with. Although it focuses on work--both in the sense of your daily job and of your life's Work--it also covers topics Moore probably makes in all his books. There was a bit on the soul, on the spirit, on love and sex, on being open to experience and to foolishness. Since this is a skinny book, he doesn't go into any of these topics all that deeply, making it a good intro...more
Not sure that this book offers anything profound. I like Thomas Moore, but have not really been moved by anything in this book. Could be because I'm listening to it rather than reading...
Moore is a guru of life purpose. Read it if you are at a cross roads in your place of employment or if you have an unsettled feeling in your quest for meaning. It has given me much to consider in maintaining the balance between my job, my teaching opportunity, and my freelance writing. It isn't necessary to make rash moves or to live on impulse in order to fulfill a dream. Consider the wisdom of working and obtaining personal dreams despite the fact that the two may not be in one place, with one...more
Talks extensively about the labels for the qualities that a satisfying and fulfilling job would have, but gives little help in getting there.
Loved this book. Want to read everything he wrote. Inspiring to read and a pleasure as well - he's a good writer. Really spoke to me.
I suspect that, in order to enjoy this book, you'd need to be an intuitive, rather than a sensing type. A fondness for Jung would probably also help this book seem more meaningful.
Moore has held any number of work titles throughout his life, but the two that seem to have the most influence are "monk" and "psychotherapist." I don't know if it's my age or the point I'm at in my search for what I lovingly refer to as "a real job," but Moore has articulated so many of the things that I've been considering for the last 2 or 3 years, that I really feel validated in my thinking. As long as the basic needs are covered (and let's redefine those, ple...more
This book was wonderful. It was affirming, positive and written in plain talk...no heavy psychology here.
I'll be using it with students in the Fall semester.
Loved this!
I'll be using it with students in the Fall semester.
Loved this!
I like this kind of thought-provoking stuff about the psychology of our motivations.
p. 2 "creativity is an instinct, not an optional gift granted to a lucky few."
p. 10 "the point is not merely to succeed but to become a deeper, more complex,more mature person through your struggle."
p. 11 "Pay attention to your deep and complex interior life, become more sensitive about your relationships, consider your past thoughtfully, and use your imagination at its full power. Work from the ground up toward finding the work that will make your life wort...more
p. 10 "the point is not merely to succeed but to become a deeper, more complex,more mature person through your struggle."
p. 11 "Pay attention to your deep and complex interior life, become more sensitive about your relationships, consider your past thoughtfully, and use your imagination at its full power. Work from the ground up toward finding the work that will make your life wort...more
fabulous
A must read for anyone trying to figure out what to do.
Thin.
It's hard to give concrete advice about something that is so individual and personal, but mostly this was a lot of blather with a few flashes of helpful insight.
There is a lot of mythological and metaphorical reference. I would have prefered more "real life" examples of people finding their life's work.
It's hard to give concrete advice about something that is so individual and personal, but mostly this was a lot of blather with a few flashes of helpful insight.
There is a lot of mythological and metaphorical reference. I would have prefered more "real life" examples of people finding their life's work.
WHY did I pick this up?! It's utter SCHLOCK!!! I didn't finish it. Total Joel Osteen/The Secret/spirituality-but-not-religious kind of crap. Reminded me of The Alchemist, which I absolutely hated. Bypass this garbage and go to the root of what all these has-beens have borrowed from: Ignatian Spirituality.
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Thomas Moore is the author of the bestselling book Care of the Soul and fifteen other books on deepening spirituality and cultivating soul in every aspect of life. He has been a monk, a musician, a university professor, and a psychotherapist, and today he...more
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Thomas Moore is the author of the bestselling book Care of the Soul and fifteen other books on deepening spirituality and cultivating soul in every aspect of life. He has been a monk, a musician, a university professor, and a psychotherapist, and today he...more
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