What Are You Being Called To Do?

Do you feel, as I do, that life is giving us a giant wakeup call?

A couple of months ago I felt it was time to stop doing, and to reflect on who I want to be and how I can contribute to the creation of a better world.

During this time I did a lot of cleaning out, giving away, and letting go. In the office, we destroyed all our paper files securely, eliminated filing cabinets and switched to being totally digital. Then when it was all done, Amber my assistant, who has been with me for three years resigned. I am incredibly grateful for Amber’s support and I wish her well and I am open to change. What that will be I still don’t know, but whatever it is I know it will include connecting with others.

I recently watched, Seven Years in Tibet, on Netflix. And one scene really impressed me. When the Dalai Lama was young he wanted a cinema built but as they started to dig they realised they would kill the earth worm’s home so they slowed the digging down so that they could relocate every earth worm. It was such a beautiful reminder that every life counts, even a worm’s.

The more that we value life and each other the better our world will be. Many years ago when I was searching for work that fulfilled me one of the ‘must haves’ on my list was being valued and everything on my list I have in my life today. On Amber’s last day in the office she wrote me a beautiful poem some of which I will share here:

Even in times of stress
You have been very calm
Sorting out everyone’s problems
Like how a wound is healed by a balm
You have taught me by example
What it is to be a real leader
You have not just been my boss
But my guide, teacher and mentor
Thank you.

I wasn’t always the person I am today, there were many times in my life when I was incredibly stressed and there are so many instances when I could have been kinder, but life, if we listen, and take notice of what is working for us and what is now, we start to recognise the opportunities that guide us to live our callling.

EIGHT HABITS THAT SUPPORT YOUR CALLING

I am so incredibly grateful for the life I live, the people in it and the lives I touch, and for all that I get back and I wouldn’t feel this way if I had not established habits that support me.

1. If you are being challenged, remember it will pass. Nothing lasts forever and good will come out of this difficult time.
2. Choose to let go of worry and anger. When you find yourself feeling this way pause, focus on the present moment and breathe in to the count of four, and out to the count of four.
3. Stop talking about your problems or complaining. It’s okay to talk to a therapist or coach, even vent to a friends for a very short time, but apart from that don’t put any energy onto what you don’t want.
4. Be proactive and always look for the good. When you open yourself to living a different way you often find just what you are looking for.
5. Accept what is and everyone as they are, while working towards creating something better.
6. Be kind to yourself and others. This is so important, I believe that kindness can change the world. It makes you and the recipient of your kindness feel good.
7. Act as if you have faith and trust. You don’t have to believe, you just act as if you do. I believe that the increase in depression today is caused by a lack of connection and unmet needs. I know a lot of people tell me that it’s because of something that happened in their childhood, but if you practise mindfulness you can leave the past behind and live in the present. What you focus on is so important so I urge those of you who suffer with anxiety and depression to not talk about yourself as having a mental illness. I am not denying depression is challenging, but when you think of yourself as having a mental illness, you limit yourself and what your future could be.
8. Establish daily habits that support you such as mindfulness and meditation. If I had not watched my thoughts and words, been mindful and meditated regularly, I know I wouldn’t be the calm and happy person I am today.

I would love to hear what habits you have established to make your life better.