Practice for Purpose
I listen to music every day. Whether it’s bumping through my headphones, flowing in my spirit or amplified by the birds chirping; music is solace and inspiration for me. A conversation with one of my best friends this morning sparked this blog post. Thank you “tister”.
Earlier this week I was hearing “Practice” by Drake playing in my spirit; no headphones, no radio on, and let me add that I’m not a huge Drake fan (no shade, just truth). I paused and asked, “God, why am I hearing this song? Drake though? That’s ‘random’” Let me tell you, everything happens for a reason. As my best friend and I engaged in a rather revolutionary correspondence on racial equity, capitalism, philanthropy and the transformation needed individually and collectively to shift that “power” (all of that and then some), she said:
“My manager tries---but there’s not enough freedom despite the work I do-- I have to fit into a mold here” “Practice space”. That was it! I went to grab my headphones and get this amplified in my spirit to convey guidance to these two questions: How can you use your current job as practice for your purpose? How can you use this practice for a purpose-filled exit strategy?
Drake and God Imani? Yes! God knows my heart and it is written “let those who have an ear hear” so before we decode the lyrics allow me to lay this foundation. I have been in the Book of Jeremiah for a few weeks now. Yesterday I read Jeremiah 18 “The Potter and the Clay”. Let me remind you that my friend said “I have to fit into a mold here”. In Jeremiah 18 God spoke to Jeremiah and instructed him to go to the potter’s house. Jeremiah observed the potter make vessels of clay “and it seemed good to make.” (Jeremiah 18:4) “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, o house of Israel!” (Jeremiah 18:6). What’s the connection?
Some of you are in places by your own doing for unrighteous reasons. Well, that struck some nerves. Be honest with yourself.
You may still be in that place (not simply role or location but also state of being) because there’s more work that you need to do before you move forward.
Consider that you are being molded and this is practice.
After all, you have already been deemed “good to make” for greater.
Since you’re (we’re) still in training, let’s practice with purpose in mind. I need you to retrain your ears and perspective to hear the song as though your purpose is speaking to you:
“Cash money..” - So Drake starts off from the gate speaking about the dinero. Yes, I know it’s Cash Money Records but again *points upward* retrain your ears. While you’re at said job, How can you be more financially literate and sound? How can you make the resources there work for you? Look into personal saving and financial management resources. Consider investing in your own professional development (at the job or beyond), personal growth and your exit.
“I can tell that money’s got you workin’” - Money is the root of all evil. That evil comes in the form greed, unethical business decisions and keeping society with the have and the have nots. Now while you have access to that financial capital and might I extend social capital, how can you repurpose that for the greater good of someone or something greater than you? How can you leverage that paycheck? One can imagine that the money may have you looking new, old, or….. straight up tired. Some of your jobs are working you for every. single. cent and draining you might I add. Drake does go on to say there’s “pain and regret” in that sweat equity. Don’t let it make you.
“I can tell that you’ve been practicin’...all those other (roles, jobs, managers, coworkers) were practice... yeah for me” - Your practice makes perfect approach is paying off here. Isn’t this the exciting part? I am excited looking at it myself. What skill(s) (technical, leadership, “soft” etc) would you like to strengthen? What do you need to do and where can you go to make that happen? Situate the pursuit in what you feel called to do.
“You only want what’s real, you just never found it. Don’t give them no more chances. Ooh, girl, they had their turn” - This right here speaks to seeking clarity and moving on it once you have it. You intuitively know when something doesn’t feel right and isn’t serving you. Whether that be your current role, manager, organization or company, you have to come to a place of acceptance that it’s very much possible that their time is up. More importantly, your time and energy may very well be better suited elsewhere. When and if you’re ready, seek out a trusted coach or advisor to help you in that process.
“Everything for a reason, there’s things you had to learn from them. But when I get you to myself you know what’s goin’ down” - There’s hope and purpose in your current situation. What a relief! Sometimes we rush to arrive at a solution and end up missing the lesson(s). Those lessons add value to your unique testimony. Afford yourself the time to reflect, be patient and deliberate. With that you'll be better positioned for what’s next for you; not someone else.
Make your ways and your doings good while there. It’s practice space. Shout out to Klanesha for reminiscing about the 504 with me last week. The beignets are calling us; we will answer post-COVID. Take care!
