Walk It Off: How to Refocus
“Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil” (Prayer to St. Michael).
I’m a fan of the “walk and talk.” If you are unfamiliar with the term, it’s an informal meeting of two or three people who, instead of sitting around a desk for a meeting, take a walk. Many leaders—Steve Jobs among them—have preached about the benefits of this type of meeting to spur creativity.
I am unsure if I’ve ever come up with any brilliant creative ideas during a walking meeting, but I often reflect on one walk.
Getting Unstuck
I have the privilege to work on one of the most beautiful college campuses in the United States. Don’t take my word for it; it’s well documented. Sadly, although I can take advantage of this scenery any day of the week, there are days when I never leave my building.
I was in a tricky spot with my job a few years ago, for various reasons. I felt stuck; I needed to progress toward my goals, and there seemed to be obstacles at every turn. It was de-motivating, and my boss knew I was struggling. So, when she asked if I wanted to take a walk for our scheduled one-on-one check-in meeting, I jumped at the chance.
We walked and talked through how things were going. I’m sure there were tears on my part, although I can’t remember. My boss was empathetic and greatly supported me during this time. I could be honest and direct with her without fear that I was jeopardizing my job. She truly cared about how I was feeling and affirmed that the things out of my control were indeed out of my control.
Walking on Holy Ground
Often, walks on campus tend naturally to drift toward the Grotto. The Grotto at the University of Notre Dame is a one-seventh-scale replica of the Grotto in Lourdes, France. It is peaceful and beautiful, and it is a place where the veil between this world and the next is thin. It is holy ground, indeed.
As my boss and I stood and talked at the Grotto, I conveyed how my emotions were spinning out of control and affecting my work relationships. And I remember her following words so distinctly. She said she’d started calling on St. Michael to surround her with light so that nothing harmful could come in and nothing harmful would go out.
That statement stopped me in my tracks.
We say the prayer to St. Michael after each Mass in our diocese. We call on the archangel to protect us from evil and the “snares of the devil.” Pride, anger, and hopelessness had trapped me. I had fallen into despair and resentment, and soon, I was giving up and lashing out.
Shifting Focus
My situation didn’t improve overnight, but that moment on our walk shifted my perspective. I focused on the good I could do and the progress I could make each day, even if it were a tiny step forward. And, I adopted a better attitude toward my co-workers. I did not want to be a source of negativity to others who were undoubtedly in their own struggles.
Now, when I feel like the situation is controlling me, I remember to pray to St. Michael—to surround myself with light and not darkness. It doesn’t make the problem disappear, but it refocuses me and reminds me that there is always light to be found in every situation.
Cathi Kennedy is passionate about building relationships. At the University of Notre Dame, she advises graduate students for the Mendoza College of Business. Her background is in marketing and communications, and she recently received her MBA. Impassioned writer, voracious reader, aspiring knitter. Married to a musician and mom to two amazing sons. Cathi is a convert to Catholicism and seeks to learn something new about her faith every day. Connect with Cathi: LinkedIn • Instagram • Facebook • Blog