Parker Palmer on Inner Work

I now (after the experience of sever depression) know myself to be a person of weakness and strength, liability and giftedness, darkness and light. I now know that to be whole means to reject none of it but to embrace it all. 

Some may say that this embrace is narcissistic, an obsession with self at the expense of others, but that is not how I experience it. When I ignored my own truth on behalf of a distorted ego and ethic, I led a false life that caused others pain -- for which I can only ask forgiveness. When I started attending to my own truth, more of that truth became available in my work and my relationships. I know now that anything one can do on behalf of true self is done ultimately in the service of others.

Others may say that "embracing one's wholeness" is just fancy talk for permission to sin, but again my experience is to the contrary. To embrace weakness, liability, and darkness as part of who I am gives that part less sway over me, because all it ever wanted was to be acknowledged as part of my whole self.  -- Let Your Life Speak, 70-71

So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Corinthians 12:9b-10

Can we help each other deal with the inner issues inherent in leadership? We can, and I believe we must... inner work is as real as outer work... If people skimp on their inner work, their outer work will suffer as well.

Inner work, though it is a deeply personal matter, is not necessarily a private matter... Indeed, doing inner work together is a vital counterpoint to doing it alone. Left to our own devices, we may delude ourselves in ways that others help us correct. -- Let Your Life Speak, 91-92

Sabbath and self care is an opportunity to recognize the link between our inner and outer work. Sabbath is opportunity for inner work alone or with others, as well as an opportunity to reflect on everything that makes up your outer work.