By Mary Jaksch
Do you have a calling? By ‘calling’ I mean an abiding passion that shapes your life. Maybe it’s something you are still waiting to discover. Or maybe you already know what it is.
It’s important to find your calling. Because life becomes more meaningful when you align it with your passion.
My calling is to teach. I stumbled upon that truth by accident. Here’s what happened:
Between school and university I did a stint as an instructor at an Outward Bound School in Hirschegg, a mountain village in the German Alps. They were about to run a course for girls, and I was asked to help out as an assistant ski instructor. The Director, Frau Ther, summoned me and offered the choice of two different groups to work with. I could either choose Group A (the group of top skiers), or Group D. These were the girls who had never skied before, and looked like they would never learn it. She asked me to work with each of these two groups on the first day before making a final decision which one I would focus on during the next three weeks.
I agreed to work with both groups, but privately I was sure I would finally choose Group A.
So I first took Group A down the slopes. We zipped along and it was great fun!
Then I went over to Group D. I could see that these girls had already given up. Most of the girls were overweight, ungainly, or lacked confidence. They had been told that the D group wasn’t allowed to go on the 3-day ski tour – which was the highlight of the four-week Outward Bound course.
I stood in front of the sad little group. Suddenly something within me snapped – and my life changed for ever.
I said, “You – as part of Group D – won’t be allowed to take part in the ski tour because experts say that you can’t learn to ski well enough, right?”
They nodded glumly.
“Well, you can either believe that and give up. Or – you can prove them wrong. If you work hard and do exactly what I say, I promise that I’ll take EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU on the ski tour!”
Their jaws dropped, their eyes lit up, and they began to stand a little taller.
For three weeks I worked them hard each day. I made them groan, cry – and laugh. But I wouldn’t let up. Finally, on the day before the tour, I asked Frau Ther to watch my group ski. You can imagine how nervous all the girls were. But they skied well enough – and were given permission to join the 3-day ski tour. Smiles all ’round!
Next day we donned backpacks and started climbing with skins strapped under our skies. It was a hard slog up the mountains. Soon my group fell behind. Some of the girls got so exhausted, I had to haul them up to standing whenever they fell over and lay sobbing in the snow. Others asked me every five minutes, “How far is it now?” It took us seven hours to struggle up to the first hut. I must admit that a small cloud of doubt formed in my mind: was this really a good idea?
The most difficult time was on day three, because we had to get my group off the mountain again. Skiing downhill on virgin snow can be tricky at the best of times. The other three groups had no problems, but my girls struggled – and fell. Over and over. Finally we managed to get them down. Uninjured.
You should have seen the wrap-around grins the girls sported as we returned to base! For many of the girls – as well as for me – this tour was a game-changer. It shaped my life, and I forged friendships that abide to this day.
Ever since then I’ve been passionate about bringing out people’s hidden potential. It stirs me; it touches my heart; it warms my soul. Yes, it’s my calling. For sure.
What about you? What is your calling? How did you discover it?
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I often think my calling is similar to a sign’s that points the way on the highway, just be consistently there pointing in a direction.
.-= jr cline´s last blog ..Work in progress =-.
Good question and a great post Mary. Not the easiest question to answer though, at least not for me. I have spent a lifetime pursuing material wealth with varied success. And i would have to say it has brought many rewards but ultimately has not fed my soul.
Now at the relatively late age of 43 I’m am embarking on a complete change of direction moving into writing, teaching and coaching, it’s scary and I still cannot say with certainty that it is my ultimate calling- I just don’t know.
Still I agree it is an essential question to be asking.
.-= Stephen´s last blog ..The Archetypes of the Anima and Animus =-.
@Stephen, I too have taken a while to clear my eyes and start looking for my true path – and I agree, at 41 it’s intimidating. I’m addicted to my corporate salary but miserable and not performing at my peak as a result. The other day I formulated a plan to start moving towards my path (working with animals) and boy did I feel energized! It’s going to take a while to wean myself off the $$ and the high-stress rollercoaster, but learning to live on less is always a good thing, and I’ll be doing it by saving while I get the requisite certifications. You KNOW when it’s right – all I can say is GO FOR IT, your passion and vision will make you successful. All you can hope for otherwise is a slow, senseless wasting away.
.-= urbancritter´s last blog ..urbancritter- RT @VegNews- vegan chef Chloe Coscarelli on the cover of Womans World http-bitly-aqKnDA =-.
Mine has to be around helping others experience joy and happiness regardless of their life situations.
I remember back in high school seeing my classmates fighting with each other and generally getting quite upset. This seemed wrong and unnecessary. It was this event that sticks out in my mind as kick starting my journey into happiness.
Offcourse once I had experienced the freedom an joy everybody could access I wanted to give it to anyone who would ask for it
@Jarrod – Cultivating Heroes, It’s great to see how early on your calling appeared, Jarrod.
That is such an inspiring story Mary. You have an amazing gift for teaching. It is funny how accidental events can uncover your passion. It happened for me as well with blogging. I started my blog as a tool to promote my coaching business — but then discovered how much I loved writing and coaching people through my blog. Now I have found the perfect mix of the two. I didn’t really find my passion — it found me!
@Barrie, Live Bold and Bloom, Thanks for you kind words, Barrie. It was due to answering your interview questions that this story came into focus. Thanks for that!
Wow, Mary! You continue to inspire and motivate.. And you’ve rightly found your calling. Mine is writing.. I write to share, learn, encourage, discover, empathize and more.. It refreshes me and leaves me feeling energized.. Like Barrie, my passion found me since this is what kept me going during the early days of my baby’s birth. I didn’t have a job, was estranged from my family and needed to connect. Writing my blog and for other sites gave me a place to talk, share and learn.
.-= Prerna´s last blog ..Guest Post on Making Waiting Time Fun for Toddlers at Zen Family Habits! =-.
@Prerna, I love what you say, “My calling found me” Yes, that’s how it happens. It find us.
Hi Mary – I’m with you! Being a creative writing teacher in a small community is one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve ever had. Sometimes I think I should make more time for my own writing. But then I run another class, see the smiles on their faces as others respond enthusiastically to what they’ve written, and I know I couldn’t give it up! Thanks for this post.
@Nicola, Ah, yes – it’s those smiles… Nothing beats them for ‘job satisfaction’ (or even for ‘life satisfaction’).
Hi Mary,
What a wonderful story!!!!
I do not know why, but I just put me in your shoes and made the same choice.
Today, I coach people to be successful while living in harmony with the divine.
Do you think this is a „coincidence”?
ps. The (your) popup is beautiful. I just installed mine…
@Ioan Nicut, A coincidence? Hard to say. My sense is that our calling – whatever it may be – is a core pattern that surfaces over and over in our lives.
I found myself smiling as I read your story. How inspiring and life changing. It just goes to show what the power of belief can have.
My calling is to support people affected by loss transform grief, find peace and feel more positive about the future. I found this through the death of my own brother. Despite the grief and the pain, his death has turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.
.-= Tabitha Jayne´s last blog ..Reduce Stress Caused by Loss Immediately =-.
I discovered that my calling is to inspire people spiritually when one day in meditation I “heard” a voice tell me to become a yoga teacher. I resisted the calling at first because I did not have the confidence to do it. But I listened, went to get certified, and it turned out to be the best thing in my life. Now I also inspire people spiritually through my blog and other fitness classes that I teach. I know that so many people don’t hear their callings and can’t find their passions. Although I believe that everyone receives some sort of information that guides them to what they are supposed to do. They just have to get quiet or pay attention to the signs.
.-= Suzy´s last blog ..Bored It’s time to make a change =-.
I discovered my calling when I became a certified coach. In doing so, I tried a variety of assessments, which I planned to use with clients. The self awareness generated by the assessments – particularly those identifying values and needs – helped me understand why there were activities I was drawn to in life…and activities I ran from like they were toxic. The understanding of what I was born to do and how I was born to do it was liberating beyond words…
Coach Charley
.-= Charley Hampton´s last blog ..A Subtle Difference- A Huge Change… =-.
Mary,
I am not sure if this is really my calling, but I truly believe that I was called to a greater purpose in my life.
Eleven years ago, I volunteered to run a marathon and raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I had no experience as a distance runner and in fact my only memories of running were very painful ones. I finished dead last at the end of Gym class every single day when we were told to run a 440 around the track.
I have now run sixteen marathons which I have run in honor of and now in memory of a very special person that came into my life because I was led to begin a life of service.
I continue to stand for Kelly’s life and honor her memory through my running and raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
I have no idea why I was led to do this and I know this is what I am supposed to do.
My life is so much richer since I learned that living a life of service was really how I was supposed to be living my life.
Great post. Loved your commitment to helping your young people overcome their limiting beliefs and stand in what is possible.
Thank you for sharing your story, Mary, I really enjoyed reading it. There are few things that can make us feel more successful than finding one’s calling. I’m afraid I cannot answer that question you posed for myself just yet. I can relate to Stephen’s comment wholeheartedly though, feeling like your work does not feed your soul… I described my last job as soul-destroying (excuse the dramatics), although I had wonderful colleagues in a great company. I took the first step though of finding out what else was out there for me by leaving it behind to go on a sabbatical, which also took me to New Zealand
, and I figured out that a job really needs to fit your value system. This may sound simple and trigger a “duh!”reaction in many, but as a young professional you just don’t realise that when you just start out in your professional life and all you were drilled to do in school and university is to be successful, earn a living and climb the career ladder. Another reckoning is expectations… those you have for yourself, those others have of you, and those you think others have of you. I guess in discovering your calling you need to break free from expectations and really embrace your value system. I hope to unearth my true passions like that, strip away layer by layer of accumulated assumptions, expectations and acquired false values (distractions) to hopefully soon be able to nail down in words what my calling really is.
Reading about your story and those of others is very inspiring and encourages those of us who aren’t there just yet. Many thanks again!
Hi Mary,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful story here! It’s fun to learn about what we each feel is our “calling” and how we go about embracing it in our lives. My calling is to help others feel affirmed, heard, valued, appreciated, acknowledged, understood, and seen. Whew – that was the first time I’ve actually typed it! But I’m in the process of formulating a blog post about it so the thoughts are at the forefront for me.
I’ve played this role in the lives of others since I was a kid – always yearning to help people feel comfortable and loved. Whether I’ve been on the “Welcome Committee” at school, volunteering at a nursing home, or writing feature articles on people with disabilities.
The exciting thing is that I get the thrill of doing this every day now in my professional role! I do it as a Life Coach, of course, and I’ve just started doing a new interview series on my ‘Following Your Joy’ blog where my interviews help others shine their lights by sharing their story.
Life is so rich when we allow ourselves to embrace our ‘calling’ and I truly believe that the world smiles when we do so. Thanks for allowing us the opportunity to share here!
Warmly,
Michelle
.-= Michelle @ Following Your Joy´s last blog ..Time For A Pop Quiz! =-.
Mary,
What an inspiring story. I’m so happy you found your calling early in life!
I agree so much about how life changes when you find your calling. I spent a good part of my life successful at work but not really following my calling. My calling is to use words to help others lead a happier and healthier life.
.-= Sandra Lee´s last blog ..Energy Medicine- activating your “inner mom” =-.
Mary – Thanks for a wonderful post as always. It’s fun to know you are a skier, as am I. I would say my calling is to teach and inspire. I’ve been teaching skiing for 30+ years, and like you, found I really enjoy teaching beginners. Also, through sharing my passion for life in leading workshops, I’ve found I have a knack for inspiring others to get moving on the life of their dreams. And lastly, writing. Feedback from friends and family throughout my life, and success as a technical and business writer has finally convinced me, I’ve got some talent that it is time to share with a larger audience.
.-= Leisa LaDell´s last blog ..Lonely petunia – A case for action =-.
Mary – I love your story, both because of the fact that you found your calling and because you helped all those girls at the same time. That required taking a risk, facing your (and their) fears, and leaping into the unknown. What an outstanding result.
One question – if you hadn’t experienced this happy accident – do you think it would have taken you longer to learn what your calling was – or were you at a stage of life where you were ‘ready’ to receive the lesson?
.-= ami´s last blog ..Facing my fear – at last- victory =-.
@ami, Hi Ami, you asked the question:
“if you hadn’t experienced this happy accident – do you think it would have taken you longer to learn what your calling was – or were you at a stage of life where you were ‘ready’ to receive the lesson?”
I think the calling would have come through pretty soon, even without this experience. I seem to be softwired to enjoy teaching. Doesn’t really matter what I teach – the kicker for me is to get people to catch a glimpse of their own potential.
Hi Mary,
I, too, believe my calling is to be a teacher. I have taught all ages in two fields (science and martial arts), and absolutely love it! I am currently working as a scientist to repay 8 years worth of student debts however I hope to soon start the path to become a full-time teacher. I searched for a long time, wondering what is my calling? I tried and pondered many hobbies but not long ago, I realised it wasn’t the *subject* that was my calling but the act of teaching it– that was the answer I was looking for. I know it is my calling because every time I think about it I get excited, and can’t wait to get started.
Thanks so much for your story, and also to all the readers who have shared their stories as well. I really enjoyed reading your inspirational stories
Aloha Mary!
What a beautiful story. I find it amazing that what our calling is almost cannot be missed. No matter how hard we try to dig up something more practical better paying and so forth, our calling keeps circling around to be noticed.
As I take a moment to look back… I see that is was not so much the milieu I was in but me that was making people come back. I say that shyly as it is somewhat incredible to me.
When I hosted nursing mothers groups in my home many many years ago women returned week after week, year after year some even after weaning
saying they just felt so comfortable.
Later I opened health food stores hoping to share my knowledge and expertise and favorite products in natural living…again people came back to the store, wandering and puttering often saying they just love being in the shop with me. And now I have clients with various degrees of eating disorders and food stresses and I am told how relaxed and comfortable my place is (I have counseled in a number of offices with the current one simply my lanai) and how it feels like a sanctuary, that they feel safe, some even want to move in
This has been tugging at me but they don’t keep coming for the lessons and the tools (although that too is incredibly valuable) but because they feel heard, connected and can finally, safely be vulnerable.
I have started my blog to reach out and get the message of recovery and freedom in relationship to food to more people and yet am not a great writer….I can only hope my compassionate hearing can be felt through the blog because I think listening with heart is my calling.
@Gina, How beautiful! Your’s is a great story of how a calling keeps on appearing in various guises. I love what you say: “I think listening with heart is my calling.”
What ever you enjoy doing is your calling. all you have to do is follow your heart. The rest doesn’t matter.
.-= jonathanfigaro´s last blog ..32 Inspirational Sayings =-.
I have always felt called to communicate and exchange information with others and it has played out in different ways at different times in my life. Sharing through words and learning from others is the thing I couldn’t live without, so I feel peace and enthusiasm both when I am following my calling. It fuels me and makes every day richer and more beautiful.
I think our callings do “call” to us…we have to be quiet and be willing to listen though!
.-= Clearly Composed´s last blog .. Nutrition Spotlight- The Autumn Salad =-.
@Clearly Composed, Yes, our calling ‘calls’ to us. But we need to be silent within in order to hear it.
Hi Mary,
You’re correct when you say life become more meaningful when you align it with a passion. I think someone like Steve Irwin typified this – he seemed to have lived more in one lifetime than a 1000 people put together. He passion was incredible and it was also fascinating because of it nature. I couldn’t imagine be so passionate about lizards and crocodiles. But it worked for him and took him to the stars.
It’s also hard to find something to be passionate about. I’ve seen people rack their brains trying to find their calling because that’s what they read they had to do. I think it comes naturally and probably is in your life already – you just need to open up to it. I know this sounds a little cryptic.
Thanks for sharing.
Brett
@Brett Wilson, I was struck by what you say: “I’ve seen people rack their brains trying to find their calling because that’s what they read they had to do. I think it comes naturally and probably is in your life already – you just need to open up to it.”
Sometimes it’s difficult to see what one’s calling is, because it’s too close, too familiar. It may be something you take for granted.
I have a neighbor who is in her sixties. In the last few years, she’s lived a prematurely aged life – without anything that really stirs her. HOWEVER … about six months ago she joined a choir. When she started singing, something amazing happened – she discovered that she has a beautiful voice. And she suddenly remembered that when she was a young girl, one of her teachers told her she should become a singer. She’d forgotten that for all those years.
Now she sings and sings. She’s a soloist in the choir, and loves appearing on stage. She found her calling.
WOW Mary, you are a powerful force – not only in Karate, but in all of life. This story (like your others) are incredibly inspiring. What an incredible calling to have, “bringing out peoples hidden potential – and you do it brilliantly.
I’m not sure that I know what my calling is, perhaps it’s because I confuse it with career. Perhaps my calling is expressed in how I live my life and not what I do for a living. Although after reading your words, I will give more thought to aligning the two.
“It’s important to find your calling. Because life becomes more meaningful when you align it with your passion.” – yes, after reading this, I must.
Thank you for this great inspiration!
.-= Aileen´s last blog ..9-11 How I Relived the Tragedy and Discovered Humanity =-.
@Aileen, A calling can be quite modest; it doesn’t have to be a BIG THING that shakes the world. If your calling is expressed in the way you live, that’s already very positive, Aileen. Now your challenge is to see if and how you can express it in your career.
@Mary Jaksch, ahhh, yes
thank you for pointing out my next challenge. It reminds me of one of my favorite Mary Quotes, “and the way forward is…”
In this case, the way forward is to see if and how I can express it in my career
Thank you Zen Master!
.-= Aileen´s last blog ..9-11 How I Relived the Tragedy and Discovered Humanity =-.
Hi Mary,
I enjoyed reading about how you came to recognize and realize your calling.
For me, all the pieces recently came together. Thirteen years ago, I left a lucrative career (image consultant, brander and copy writing all while attending law school) because I felt my life lacked meaning. I loved my work but felt something was missing. There had to be more than having six figures and living a luxurious life. I wanted to find out more about happiness and inner peace.
So I traveled the world, spent all the money I had, had all kinds of jobs, almost became a Buddhist nun and so much more. Recently, one thing led to another and I recently started my own business doing exactly what I used to do (branding and copy writing) but with greater wisdom. I did achieve what I set out to find and it has greatly influenced my work.
As a result, I think my calling is to help people and businesses find their voice and to help them achieve their goals. I love word and images and I work with those so that people can become extraordinary.
.-= Nadia Ballas-Ruta ~ Happy Lotus Lifestyles´s last blog ..Word Power & The Importance of a Boat Named “Peerless” =-.
Is it possible to have more than one calling in life? Or to have none at all? Passions and interests come and go. Having only one calling seems limiting, especially when life is such a dynamic and changing adventure.
@Ann, That’s very interesting comment, Ann: “Having only one calling seems limiting, especially when life is such a dynamic and changing adventure.”
I think you’re confusing interests and passions with a core calling. The way a calling surfaces can be incredibly varied because it’s an underlying pattern.
If I think about how my calling has surfaced, it’s as a Outward Bound instructor, a professional flautist, a psychotherapist, a karate instructor, a Zen Master, and a blogging mentor. That’s a reasonable variety …
What you need to look for is the underlying pattern that underlie your passions and interests.
It seems I’ve been searching my entire life for my ‘calling’ and at 40 (as of a couple of weeks ago), I still haven’t found it. I’m frustrated beyond belief about that — that I really have nothing in my life I’m passionate about — but I think I’ve gotten to the point that I know myself well enough to know I’m not committed enough about anything, nor the least bit disciplined, that I’m *almost* resigned to giving up. It’s heartbreaking at times, and at others a big relief, to let that go, but mostly it’s sad. But I really don’t know what to do…I’ve taken classes; endlessly explored hobbies, interests, jobs and careers; and in the end, all this activity is to no avail. When I was younger, I firmly believed I would do something great. Oh well. Some of us (I believe many…perhaps even most) aren’t meant to find that magical something to to throw ourselves into. Can someone convince me otherwise? I hope, I wish, I want to believe I am meant for that one amazing “thing” — unfortunately, I’ve become tired and disillusioned searching for it. I give.
@Guin, Don’t be disillusioned! It might be that, like love, one’s calling is a bit of a butterfly – when you chase it too hard it flies away, but be centered and calm, and it comes to sit on your shoulder when you least expect it. Vocations don’t always smack you upside the head with a 2×4 – sometimes they sit in your peripheral vision, disappearing when you try to look at them head-on.
Don’t give up! 40 is not dead – you have plenty of time to do something great; to find your path. Read the comment above about the lady who discovered her voice (literally) in her 60s! Think about Susan Boyle, for that matter… It sounds to me like you’re just looking too hard, when perhaps you need to learn to just BE. Then, when you are entirely able to do that, your heart will be still enough to hear a small voice singing a tune only you will recognize. I wish you peace and revelation
.-= urbancritter´s last blog ..urbancritter- RT @CharityIdeas- RT @heykim- September is natl preparedness month- make a plan- get a kit & be informed! -@RedCrossBayArea disasters =-.
@Guin, Aloha! I could not resist replying to your post. One thing I know is that there is no one thing! Goodness knows I am older than you and have done so many different things in my life, some just to survive. The “calling” in my mind is deeper than a thing you “do”. It is who you are. Remember we are human “beings” not human “doings”!
It may be you have not seen or felt your passions and calling as you have been busy surviving and doing. If tiny bits of space can be dedicated to simply being you may begin to feel a difference- actually you *will* feel a change.
We are not taught to be still, to be, we have all been taught to do something…anything, but a life well lived requires us to be still in order know what to do.
Try using your dinner time (food can be an easy reminder) to just *be* for a few moments without a need to do anything, just be with your meal silently before you eat. Breathing and feeling your body as it is in the room, in the chair. Connect with yourself.
Many amazing people lead very ordinary lives, their claim to fame is interior peace and love. These people change the world by being clear, honest and loving. No magic required. Do not doubt you ability to cultivate a deep inner life and all the wealth that brings.
madam Mary,
it is a very good question that you asked me that ‘what is my calling’ but till now at my very this age of 24 i couldn’t explore my calling or the path i or my heart want to follow. am really stuck with this question. i am not having a solution to get out of it. my profile is am a graduate in literature and this even was not according to my wish. it happened by chance. therefore, could not opt for teaching as my livelihood. astounding isn’t it. but to be frank, i really want to do something for this world or to persuade this world to follow peace, love and kindness. and i am in search of a GURU who can help me out with it as Swami Vivekanada had.
Hi Mary and all who read this,
I am so happy for all of you that have found your calling. I makes me belive in it. For I have not. But I just have a instinct that I SHOULD be something, someone that does more than I do now. Someone memorable. I currently am a sales rep and to be completely honest I don’t really enjoy it very much but guilt and responsiblity keep me here.
I feel like I’m really just floating about on this big ocean of life and have no lighthouse to show me where to go.
I hope the lightbulb goes on soon.
Cheers
Hi Mary,
I’m so hoping you answer to this comment and give me some advice.
Your post got me thinking about my calling (again). I’m 26 and not sure yet what I want to do exactly. I like to think I could do almost anything that interests me but thats not an answer we can live with, is it?
So, I’m on the edge of applying for a trainee position or internship (2011) which should lead me to something I really wanna do for the next few years. This one thought comes up on almost every day: I want to produce movies and/or tv-shows.
I study “TV-Producer”, by the way.
Now, my question for you is: If this pops up every few moments, could it be something I definitely should pursuit?
What a delightful story with such a happy ending: all ’round.
I can’t help but think about how you are doing the same for some of us flailing new bloggers in the A-List Blogger Club. So glad you found your calling!
I am moving into my second go-round (2nd career) and know it somehow ties to writing and blogging; it’s the exact topic I am not sure about and so am playing with. But with your & Leo’s expert guidance and that of the wonderfully kind and helpful club members, I have confidence I will discover it one day soon.
Thanks for being such an inspired teacher!
.-= Patti Foy´s last blog ..Find Your Balance Using Color A Handy Reference With Tips =-.
Hi Mary,
Thanks for this great and thoughtful post. It’s rich and most inspiring.
When I was little, the word “calling” was used so much in religious circles that I grew up associating “calling” with religious life. But life itself has taught me more.
When I was in school, I noticed that people come to me heavily burdened with life issues (relationship, work, family, quite personal and all sorts) and leave happier and lighter after a short listening and discourse. And they never stopped coming. I’m called to help people find answers and solutions to difficult situations.
I think my “call” did not just find me, it prodded me – sticking its fine foot in my door wherever I went. It literally stalked me, but it was a welcomed stalker.
I write, and many of my writer friends have issues with getting writing ideas. I was moved to start a blog where I hint writers on how to feed their Muse to fattening and get writing ideas with ease.
I feel like the happiest and richest man in the universe whenever I see a smile flicker on a hitherto sad or disturbed face. That’s the best part of this call. it gives me a sense of fulfillment and peace. I think heeding your call is the first step to living life in full.
Thanks again Mary for this great post.
I work in HR now and applied for a doctorate in Psychology…didn’t get admitted in the PsyD, but got admitted into the Masters program, due to insufficient experience in the field. I initially declined the offer and now, almost six months later, I feel I am ready to take on this enormous task. I want to see what motivates people, what makes them interact and what makes them happy. I guess you can call that Psychology and I guess you can call that ‘my calling’.
I re-discovered my calling after a great tragedy – I lost my 4th consecutive pregnancy (stillborn) this summer. After having resigned my life to be a stay-at-home mom, I was awakened to a new reality after this demise. It brought me to my knees and took me to a place where I had to either choose to sulk in misery & depression or to wake up and re-invent myself. Well I CHOSE to wake and I’ve never been more alive & filled with passion; not only to live MY life but to INSPIRE others that “obstacles can actually be blessings in disguise… like I always say: My baby died and work me up! Others too can be rejuvenated after a great fall
Blessings,
Therra
Laugh All You Can, It’s Free Medicine!!!
.-= Therra´s last blog ..…YOU are a child of the universe! =-.
Mary, so is a calling something you enjoy and makes time fly by? I have found that when I take photograpghs and try to make images that capture soul, time just flies. I just have so much fun is this what you mean by a calling? I’m not really sure if photograpghy is my calling? What would you suggest?