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Fr. Jim Martin
Description
"Pay attention to the movements in your soul."
Fr. Jim Martin is an author, speaker, editor for American Magazine, contributor to the New York Times, Jesuit priest and consultant to the Vatican. SO MUCH in the marketplace is secular so I know this may feel unfamiliar.
Actually, question #13 on the survey I give clients to help me prepare my presentation is this: "What topic do you not want me to speak to?"
Nearly each of the 1,500+ presentations I've given I've received the same answer: Religion and politics.
My friends, if we are unwilling to even whisper about religion and politics - we'll never find common ground or live our best lives. Today's episode is much less about religion and much more about discovery and how to live our best life going forward.
Today, Fr. Jim will help us better understand the movements in our soul... and why it's critically important that we stop and listen to them.
SHOW NOTES:
- Fr. Jim did not grow up in a religious household.
- He studied finance + took a job with GE. The first years were exciting: A yuppy with good money in New York. After a few years, he felt trapped, asking: How am I going to get out of this?
- He went to a psychologist to deal with the stress and also began reading the writings of Thomas Merton.
- After a year, the therapist asked: What would you do if you could do anything you wanted to do?
- Every young person should be asked this question.
- Answering this question is how you make the leap from being miserable into discovering a new calling.
- He joined the seminary and 10 years later was ordained a priest and assigned to America Magazine where he's been since.
- He had no clue what he was getting into and his parents and friends were a mix of horrified and upset. A year later they got it.
- "God works through your desires. There's a push and pull to something else."
- "Desiring something more fulfilling, satisfying? Pay attention to those movements in your soul. That's the call."
- What do I want to do with my life? That's something everyone struggles with; if we let ourselves. Allow yourself to answer that question.
- "The hardest part of leaving the corporate structure is the money. But its ultimately really freeing."
- "The most freeing and fun thing is being able to be myself."
- Think of times you've felt moved. Everyone has these but they aren't encouraged to reflect on them, name them as God.
- Holding your first child, feeling the undeniable love and not knowing where it comes from? That's God awakening His love in you.
- Wanting more in life. That's God calling to you.
- Falling in love with your spouse. That's God calling you together.
- Fr. Jim has written 10 books, including: