Meaningful Work: A Journey to Empathy (Book Review)
In his book, Meaningful Work, Shawn Askinosie details his journey to empathy. Going from a competent criminal defense attorney to successful chocolatier, Askinosie discovered a way to cross bridges with others. Leaving the stress of his law practice behind, he set out to build a successful chocolate company. He built the company from the ground up using his unique set of visioning tools. These tools can be used by each of us to create a life of meaning and purpose.
Askinosie and his team at Askinosie Chocolate have been a positive force for good throughout the world. How exactly do they go about blessing the lives of so many through their meaningful work?
Posts may contain affiliate links, including Amazon links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. See disclosure policy for details.
Deepest sorrows; greatest joys
Often, it begins at their work meetings, where they turn their deepest sorrows into their greatest joys. Each person is handed a piece of paper. Then, Shawn asks each employee to write down something that has caused them much sorrow in their life. Employees write their sorrows down anonymousl. The papers are collected and read aloud by Shawn. Finally, Shawn and his employees discuss what they might do to help others who are dealing with a similar sorrow. If, for instance, someone wrote that their greatest sorrow in life was being without a father, they, as a company team, would find a way to reach out to the fatherless in the community.
In essence, they would find a way to turn a deep sorrow from the past into something positive. It would become a gift, of sorts—-a gift and a blessing.
Trying it myself
One evening, I decided to do this activity in my home with a group of friends. Handing each woman a slip of paper, I invited them to anonymously write down their greatest sorrow. Several minutes passed as each woman did some thinking and wrote a few words on their slip of paper. Then, they each handed their slip of paper to me, wondering why I would request such intimate information from them.
I shared with them the story of Shawn Askinosie, his successful chocolate company, and his method of finding people in the community to serve. I explained that we were about to do as he and his employees do—-turn our deepest sorrows into our greatest joys.
One by one I read each slip of paper aloud, and shared some brief thoughts on each sorrow:
Feeling Lost
Having experienced the sorrow and fear that comes from being lost, either figuratively or literally, who in our community might you reach out to help them find their way back “home”?
“I’ve never felt like I am good enough”
Having felt the gut-wrenching pain that comes from feeling inadequate your entire life, how might you help others in the community feel competent and at peace with themselves?
My dad’s unfaithful actions
Having dealt firsthand with the shame and anger and sadness that comes from a loved one’s unfaithfulness, how might you reach out to console others who are dealing with similar situations and emotions?
“When I remember the kind of mother I was when battling depression or anxiety”
How might those of us who are survivors of depression and anxiety comfort and bless those who are still in the throws of darkness and worry and despair?
Miscarriage
Having experienced the isolation and deep sadness that is felt after a miscarriage, how might you bless the life of someone who is going through a similar situation?
Financial Stress
When one feels buried by financial worries, it’s difficult to deal with everyday life. How might you reach out and offer encouragement to someone who is weighed down by financial woes?
don’t miss a thing!
Subscribe to receive the latest content and inspiration.
A different mindset
Emotions were running high by the time I finished reading the slips of paper. We sat in silence for a few moments, many of us wiping tears from our eyes. This simple act of sharing a personal sorrow with another bound this group of women together in powerful ways.
Then, our thoughts turned from our own pain to how our pain might bless the life of another. All have the ability to offer sympathy to someone in their time of need, but only a special few can offer true empathy.
Meaningful work
Who among us hasn’t benefited from meeting someone who is going through a similar trial? What a tender mercy that is—to be able to share your thoughts and feelings with someone who has experienced those same thoughts and feelings.
It’s time we start turning our sorrows into what they were intended to become all along—a gift and blessing in the lives of others. This book inspired my own journey to empathy. As we cross bridges to comfort others, our deep sorrows will truly become our greatest joys.
Purchase the book, Meaningful Work by Shawn Askinosie
Purchase Meaningful Work by Shawn Askinosie HERE.
Shop our Gift Guide!
- Hobby-Related Gifts
- Survival and Preparedness
- Movies and Books
- Arts and Crafts
- Toys and Games
- Sporting Gear
- Seasonal Gifts
- Birthday Gifts
- Stocking Stuffers
