"What is my calling?" Do any of us really have complete clarity about our life calling? Even those of us with the knowingness we must teach, write or sing may often ask, "What direction am I to go, now?" How do we answer these soulful questions?
Richard Bolles, author of "What Color is My Parachute?" and the granddaddy of the employment industry says, when people are asked what they would like to do they often respond with "I don't know." Bolles maintains this is because people interpret the question to be "What am I going to do with the rest of my life?"
This question is too big, too daunting, immobilizing people. Instead, remind yourself that the career journey is much like driving a car in the fog. Sign posts arrive at the crossroads and we can reach our destination despite the fog. Instead of worrying ourselves with not having the answer to our career/path questions (that perhaps, can only be revealed as we grow into them) what if we simply looked for the slender threads?
Slender Threads at Work
As Robert Johnson, says in "Balancing Heaven and Earth," slender threads are about "being in a particular place at just the right time, meeting someone who steers you in an unforeseen direction, the unexpected appearance of work or money or inspiration just when they are most needed? Whether called fate, destiny or the hand of God, slender threads are at work? weaving the remarkable tapestry of our lives."
Tuesday morning I wrote in my journal, "If we had the money to retire right now with all of our needs abundantly met for life; what would I be doing with my free time? How would I enjoy contributing?"
That very night I 'happened' across an interview with Alanis Morissette on Much Music. Strangely enough, I watch little TV, dislike what I've glimpsed of Much Music, and I do not listen to Alanis Morissette's music. Yet, quickly captured by Alanis's words, I watched the one hour interview with her which helped clarify my longing for more direction in my career. Ah, slender threads at work!
Alanis attributed her enormous success to her willingness to be as transparent and authentic as she possibly can. By freely expressing herself, her truths ? however frightening and humbling ? Alanis said she gives people the courage to freely express their selves.
By accepting all aspects of her self including "the good and the bad," Alanis spoke of how she has become more integrated, whole, and authentic. She is comfortable in her own skin. Being whole ? with all of our short-falls is so much more freeing than working hard to always look good. Through allowing her self to be wholly alive and authentic, Alanis spoke of learning to love the human condition and having compassion for us all.
Closely living this transparent, authenticity resonates deeply in my soul. It is here we are our most vulnerable, compassionate and real. It is here we learn to trust who we are. What a precious reminder for all of us to follow our own authentic self and inner truth.
You Know Your Truth
When Alanis was asked how she comes up with song-writing ideas, she said she rereads her personal journals to find her truth and direction. What a pearl ? however simplistic. We can all reconnect with our truth, our calling and direction through revisiting our journals. If you do not write a journal now would be good time to start.
Alanis inspired me to re-read my journal and the 'theme' of my life was readily apparent. My constant quest for a deeper understanding of myself, the human condition and of God is always there. Clearly, this lifeblood of mine must be the foundation of all that I do.
By looking deeply within at our own truths we can uncover our direction. We know it in ourselves if we would but nurture the expression of it rather than squelching it or adamantly sticking with, "I don't know." And yes, sometimes it does help to talk to the right person who can reconnect you with what you already know.
Trust that you do know what you want to do ? even if it does not seem readily apparent. That's O.K. Just begin by giving yourself the freedom to express your inner desires, dreams and fears by journaling everyday. Without judgment, allow yourself to write and think about what you enjoy doing, or would enjoy doing, if you had the money, time, education, experience, fill-in-the-blank.
Through these simple acts of trusting ourselves, listening to ourselves, and looking for the slender threads weaving our lives we nurture the relationship with our deeper self. Herein, we learn to reconnect with our inner truths and find the path to our calling.
Teresa Proudlove has been inspiring, supporting, and guiding over 3000 people upon their lifework path for over fourteen years - with compassion and heart. Visit Teresa at http://www.yourlifework.com; listen to your inner guidance and navigate through life and work with more acceptance and peace.
From the moment you are born and you take your... Read More
Down-sized? Outsourced? Burned-out? Wizened up? That's what I said. Wizened... Read More
Are you lost in the wilderness when it comes to... Read More
How can you find writing jobs? Do you have proven... Read More
Many well qualified and extremely able candidates fail at job... Read More
Today's employers scramble for creative ways to advise employees of... Read More
Do these things Include your full name - don't... Read More
The interview is the "beauty contest" part of the job... Read More
How would you like to get paid to go shopping?... Read More
1.0 A timely reminderIn a recent decision in a New... Read More
The Bachelor is one of the many reality shows that... Read More
Are you in this situation? You and your boss just... Read More
It hangs from the ceiling above your bed while you... Read More
In light of recent unemployment figures, and a continual downturn... Read More
Many job seekers tend to overlook job fairs. They can... Read More
"Roger, you must get those contracts completed for this month's... Read More
If you are in a job search and aren't receiving... Read More
Were you once a successful, professional woman who had a... Read More
As professional recruiters working both retained and contingency search assignments,... Read More
Have you gotten tons of career advice, solicited and unsolicited?... Read More
Our lives are tranquil and smooth so seldom, it seems.... Read More
Just what is a "thurvival skill?" It's a skill that... Read More
An industrious black-tailed ground squirrel has his home beneath a... Read More
"WOW! I can work from home and make money? I... Read More
While identity theft is nothing new, the Web has opened... Read More
As a Certified Personnel Consultant working for Find Great People... Read More
Of course interviews are mainly about you answering the questions... Read More
The euphoria of getting a new job can sometimes be... Read More
These days, job interviews often consist of a panel of... Read More
Searching for employment is one of the most nerve-racking activities... Read More
Tough words... but I truly believe that folks who make... Read More
"They say my résumé should be only one page long.... Read More
We need more people to choose nursing as a career.... Read More
The answer may be easier than you think, but there's... Read More
There is one little practice that is vital to generating... Read More
Have you used feng shui around your desk? It's a... Read More
There are several types of online resume formats that can... Read More
Ever wonder if you are in the right career? If... Read More
When flipping the channels of your TV, you are bound... Read More
Career experts say that people will change careers (not jobs)... Read More
Cover Letters must grab the reader's interest so that they... Read More
After completing their translation training programmes at higher professional education... Read More
Phone interviews are de rigueur with many organizations.Companies conduct phone... Read More
Over 70% of single employees will become romantically involved with... Read More
A recent story in Career Journal begins:"The "midlife crisis" has... Read More
So, you need to submit employment references. A simple task,... Read More
Fear in starting a job search is a four letter... Read More
When the word "networking" is used, we tend to think... Read More
A winning CV has 2 objectives: To illustrate... Read More
Many professionals and managers are so involved in day-to-day crises... Read More
Learning how to type a resume may feel like a... Read More
When all is not well with work, what do you... Read More
Writing an effective résumé can certainly be challenging. There are... Read More
An industrious black-tailed ground squirrel has his home beneath a... Read More
Millions of people everyday spend eight hours or more in... Read More
A certain amount of oversight is involved in almost any... Read More
In many countries around the globe, people are born into... Read More
As they always say "It's not what you know, it's... Read More
Tough words... but I truly believe that folks who make... Read More
Do you want to double, or increase significantly you're income... Read More
Mention "outsourcing" to a programmer and you may as well... Read More
Any professionally trained interviewer can attest these questions are the... Read More
Have you ever been to a networking event that was... Read More
Employers have fears, uncertainty and DOUBT (the FUD factor) over... Read More
A part of you can't wait to dive into your... Read More
The line between average and exceptional work performance is dotted... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |