We spend a great deal of our lives stumbling around in the dark complaining, worrying, blaming or avoiding then something happens that sheds a light, and if we are open and willing, we have an awakening that shows us our calling. We don’t just have one calling, we have multiple callings which we are called to act upon at different life stages. A calling can also be called life purpose, or vocation. It is something that your soul is calling you to do and until you follow that calling you may feel dissatisfied, as if there is something missing.
Some people expect that when they discover their calling they will be happy, that everything in their life will work, but that isn’t necessarily so. Knowing your calling is one thing, acting on it is another. When you follow your calling you develop strengths that enable you to share your gifts with others. Along the way there will be lessons to be learnt and fears that need to be faced as well as joy, fulfilment and a feeling that you are exactly where you are meant to be, doing exactly what you are meant to do. A calling is always about growing to your full potential and it always supports you to evolve.
You are either moving away from your calling or towards your calling
I once worked with a client who had recently retired and she was feeling lost and directionless. This feeling usually precedes an awakening. She had a project that she was working on that had the potential to make her a substantial amount of money, the problem was it didn’t fulfil her, and she didn’t really need the money. As we talked I became aware that up until this time in her life most of her happiness had been derived from her achievements, mostly work related. While achievement can be a way of following your heart, they can also be ego driven. There comes a time when, if we are to grow spiritually, we need to leave our egos behind. I encouraged this woman to let go of her need for achievement and to focus on what made her happy in other ways and to build new strengths. This often leads you to your calling.
We get signs to awaken all of the time. These come in the form of problems, tragedy, personal crises. Most people miss these signs because they engage in habits that keep them stuck, complaining, worrying, blaming or avoiding. Everything in your life is guiding you to become the person you were born to be, if you are willing to take up the challenge.
My first awakening occurred when my son died when he was 5, I was 33. I knew that there was nothing I could do to change what happened so I made a commitment to make a difference with my life, to do what he would have done if he had lived, as well as what I was called to do. I have never regretted that choice – it changed my life.
If you have been searching for your calling, but still don’t know what it is, ask yourself what are you resisting. We resist our calling when we are afraid. You may still be an ethical, nice person who on the outside seems okay, but if you are observant, you will notice the little changes that are occurring within you. You may not laugh as much, you may struggle with your moods, you may experience health, relationship, work or financial problems. You may have become more cynical or lost your joy.
Finding your calling isn’t something that usually happens overnight, although it can, if you are open. It’s a journey that you can start at any time. You don’t need to wait for a wake up call.
Step 1. Look at the challenges you face, these are signs
By identifying your challenges you can then choose values that will help you grow.
For the past couple of years life has been telling me to value myself, so the value I chose to work with is respect, especially self-respect. Anything I give to myself I always extend to others. Life has also been encouraging me to be patient. As I act upon these values I find I react less, and other people’s moods don’t spoil my day. I am calmer and I know this is who I need to be to spread my message of hope and joy.
Step 2. Be mindful
Mindfulness is a tool that supports us to manage stress. It can also help us identify our needs, what makes us happy and what takes us off track.
On a typical day take three minutes to walk around the room or space that you are in. Do this without any particularl goal in mind. Just walk wherever attracts your attention.
When the three minutes is up get a pad and pen and write down where your mind went for those three minutes. Did you:
Have thoughts about the past?
Think about the future or jobs you have to do?
Did you replay a conversation you had with someone?
Think about how frustrated you feel?
Did you look for a solution to a problem?
Did you criticise yourself?
This exercise gives you an idea of where your attention is placed throughout the day and the many different things that distract you from being present. What can you do to ensure that your attention is on things that bring joy to your life.
Step 3. Look for positive way to bring more joy into your daily life
The more joyful you are, the easier it becomes to recognise your individual calling. Actively seek ways each day to do something that brings joy, it doesn’t matter how simple it is, it is all about how that action makes you feel.
One day you will notice that you didn’t find your calling – your calling found you.