Our Callings in Life

       Last night, I sat as Karissa discussed an article she had been reading. It was clear to the other person in the room and I that she was deeply involved in whatever was on her screen. It just so happens that she was reading about women in the sex trade and how the problem is getting worse. While it's a bit unorthodox to be reading these kinds of things for recreation, I don't think anyone was a bit taken aback at the fact that she was so concerned over the topic. You see, Karissa has this capacity to care for others that I find to be rare and particularly inspiring. I've heard it said in my culture that every woman is a mother-regardless of whether or not they actually have children. This woman is evidence of that. She is truly called to be a healer and a leader. Finding out she wants to go into the social work program, I couldn't picture her doing anything else. I love her for how she sees injustice in the world and actively does everything she can to correct it!

       Just moments ago, a dear friend I've renamed "C.S. Lewis" led the discussion in my TES meeting. He commanded attention, asked questions with patience, and I could see that he was interested in what he was teaching us. Man, I thought, this guy is going to be a fabulous teacher. 

       

       We all have so many talents and callings in life. Finding your calling in life isn't difficult. All we need to do is look at who we are and how we tend to want to spend our time. I have a friend who doesn't thin their passionate about anything. Yet, I find them spending most of their time pursuing philosophical discussions, trying to get into the minds of other people, and working on themselves near constantly. Beyond that, they have a desire to serve their community. To me, it's easy to see where they belong in the world. To them, they still have to discover that. The good news is, they can tae all the time they need! 

       I figured out what I wanted to do with my life fairly early in life. I knew when I was quite young I wanted to teach. At first, I just really liked the grading and the white boards and the running the classroom and the keeping track of attendance (all of which I acted out during play time). As I got older, I liked the idea of being able to study what I'm most passionate about and share it with others. Now as an adult, I feel the calling to teach, and I anticipate with enthusiasm every opportunity I'll have to touch the lives of the many students I'll have. 

       We're all so paralyzed nowadays to make the wrong commitment. We're afraid that if we get into something, we won't like it. So many of us won't move forward because we don't believe that we really know what it is we're asking for, if we're really able to live up to the task, or we question whether or not we really deserve what's at the end of the journey we're embarking upon. Those are all valid questions and anxieties. However, why question the calling? This generation looks at the reluctance to commit and follow through like it's a fabulous trait, or a sign of maturity. In all reality, it's a sign of low self-esteem, and we're denying ourselves entry into where we belong. How many of us would be so much happier if we stopped complicating things and just went with the thoughts that were authentic to ourselves. Stop worrying about the "what if I'm not good enough"s and "what if it's not like what I had in mind"s and "I don't know if I'm up to the task"s of the world, and concern yourself with what could go right!

       What if you could change lives for the better? What if your life could be changed for the better? What if you find joy, that strong emotion which transforms even the angriest men into the pleasant kings they all were meant to be. What if you found that one thing in life you've been chasing, or in other words, the most satisfying fulfillment yet achieved? Are those not worth the risk?

       May we all start chasing what makes us happiest, be brave enough to embrace ourselves, and be bold enough to embark on the adventures of the soul, which adventure we all deserve to participate in.