“But remember, if you constantly look to the effect, the visible form, you will create a mutation, a less-than-perfect manifestation.”
~ John Randolph Price
I don’t know about you, but I have had more than my share of mutations. I just didn’t know there was a term for what I kept experiencing. Reading this explanation by Price was not just illuminating; it was cathartic. In The Abundance Book, he cautions us not to see our job, employer, or investments as our supply, because when we do, we cut off the real Source. These things, along with money and our possessions, are outer symbols of our inner Supply. Price advises readers to keep their focus instead on God, who is our true supply, safety, and security.
Not sure what a mutation looks like? Here are some real life examples of mine as illustrations:
- I read about an opening to be an academic writer. A job in my field I could do from home – perfect! Not quite…it was a position writing students’ papers for them. Why write your own paper when you could purchase it? Being a college instructor and a college academic coach, this clearly was not my opportunity.
- My job at the community college is wonderful: I coach students, helping them improve their time management, study skills, and grades. But my position as a coach is only temporary, and because I already teach for another community college, a job I also love, my hours between the two jobs are capped well below a full time level.
- I was recently recommended for a part time online college instructor job. It would supplement the part time teaching position I already have, so it looked really promising. The manager who was to interview me left me hanging twice. Still, I stayed in the game. When our telephone interview was eventually scheduled, she wasn’t there when I called, having misunderstood the time zones. When it was apparent how confused and stressed she was, I declined to reschedule our interview.
- Several months ago, I found a posting for an online position to teach Business at a private school. After completing a lengthy application, I learned it was a very conservative religious-based institution that required faculty to take an oath that amounted to condemning people who didn’t believe as they do. Yes, this was another mutation.
- Over the past several years, I’ve tried jobs that appeared to be a good fit, but ended up dampening my spirit, by keeping me chained to a headset, limiting my ability to help my clients, or requiring me to treat people in ways I couldn’t agree to. Disheartened and stressed out, I left each position before I faced more serious effects. I trusted that there must be something better for me.
All of these experiences had aspects that were in line with my vision of full employment (work in my field that is fulfilling and prospers me), but all were “less than perfect manifestations.” But now I know better. I spend time daily centering myself in the awareness of my true Source. I’m experiencing a shift, and I know the best is unfolding for me now.