What is My Calling?

"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.

---

Pre-Interview Web Research

You have obtained an interview -- congratulations! You feel prepared... Read More

Start Working Before You Get Hired

What if there were a way to *prove* to any... Read More

5 Ways to Combat Job Burnout

Job burnout happens when the stress or prolonged frustration of... Read More

Losing a Career When Youre Moving for Love

Those who watched HBO's Sex and the City (SATC, now... Read More

Career Change - Emotional Intelligence for Knowledge Workers?

Nowadays we can expect to survive the second half of... Read More

Factual Employment Screening Part 2

An Employment Screening OutlinePolicy DevelopmentA policy of Factual Employment Screening;... Read More

How To Write A Resume Cover Letter That Will Get Your Resume Read

A Resume Cover Letter has only one purpose - to... Read More

College Labor is Available in Ohio

Ohio has always been big on education and that means... Read More

Resume Writing Service Website

Promote Your Resume Business Website!While we make our websites to... Read More

Internships: Bonkers or Brilliant?

I have something to say that's driving me batty. It's... Read More

Dissatisfied With Your Job? Stop Putting Your Attention on What You Dont Want!

If I were to ask you the percentage of time... Read More

What is a Career Anyway?

A career is the sum total of all of your... Read More

Are You Suited for Self-employment?

A recent poll conducted by Yahoo! Small Business showed that... Read More

Changing Careers? How to Get Around the Three Major Mental Roadblocks to Success

A part of you can't wait to dive into your... Read More

Seven Ways to Stand Out in a Sea of Applicants

Is your résumé getting lost in a flood of résumés?... Read More

Is a Career Change on Your Horizon?

Making a career change is nothing new in today's job... Read More

Image and Style Count

When I was a child, there was a pool nearby... Read More

Job Interview Preparation - What Employers Are Looking For

When an employer decides to conduct an interview with you,... Read More

20 Ways to Advance Your Career

To survive and thrive in today's competitive environment, it is... Read More

Career Searching: A Vision Without A Plan is a Hallucination

Success is not always something you necessarily find when you... Read More

Why You Should Never Complain About Former Bosses

You're at a job interview. You're doing great, answering questions... Read More

Career Advice: Are Resumes Obsolete As A Primary Job Search Tool?

In a day of background checks, pre-employment drug screening and... Read More

How To Write A Job Winning Resume That Puts Yours On Top

Many people would love to get a better job. And... Read More

7 Steps To A Job-Winning Resume

A new resume can jump-start your career. Your network contacts... Read More

Analysing Adverts for the Creative Response

The fundamental rule is: if you are going to apply... Read More

What Recruiters Hate About Resumes And Cover Letters

Today, I'm going to share with you the awful truth... Read More

Dealing With How Would You...? Questions

I'm always preaching about proper preparation prior to interviews. If... Read More

Get a Job! Tips for Organizing Your Resume

Whether you're a Vice President of Marketing or a recent... Read More

Have Enough Money to Change Careers - Five Key Steps

At every talk I give, I ask the audience to... Read More

How To Conduct A Successful Job Search Campaign

1.Define your objective: Know what kind of work you most... Read More

The Global Work Marketplace - The Revolution Of How Work Gets Done

Will cubicles be a distant memory for today's workforce? Will... Read More

To Get Hired or Get Promoted, Attitude Is The Key

When you're looking to get hired or get promoted, what... Read More

Make Your Résumé Sizzle with Success Stories

In today's competitive job market you can't afford a résumé... Read More