Many of us go through life without ever questioning:
- What was I put on Earth to do?
- What things tap into my strongest strengths and my deepest loves?
- What things let me be the most “me” I can be?
- What is my true calling?
Some people find their true calling at a young age, and others never really seem to. Why is that?
Here are three questions to help you find your true calling. I found them in the November 2011 issue of the Oprah magazine. Try to answer as truthfully as possible the following:
- How does what you’re doing make you feel? (Does it feel right to you? Does it stimulate you?)
- Does it have a positive impact on others? (Does your energy and enthusiasm connect with others when shared?)
- Does it turn up the volume and increase the vibration of your life? (Whenever you pursue what you’re meant to be you have a certain vitality, and when others see this, they’ll be inspired too.)
If you’re not sure how to discover your passion, here’s another helpful exercise you may want to try. 4-Step Guide to Discovering Who You’re Meant to be.
- Brainstorm
- Take stock of your strengths
- Tap your motivation
- Go
Kristine Flanigan and Ethan Bartlett, two young fashion designers from FIDM- (Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising) found their calling at a young age. I interviewed them last Friday at a Fashion Show (see video of Kristine below) at the Irvine Spectrum, sponsored by StyleWeek OC and the Cadillac Contemporary Design.
Nick Verreos, was the host and former Project Runway contestant, and he also found his passion for fashion design at the young age of five. More photos of the show and the designers’ outfits made from Cadillac car parts.
Click here to see the fashion designers and their outfits of the 2011 Cadillac Contemporary Design contest.
I have several passions, writing, networking, traveling, weight lifting, “talking”, learning.
As far as my true calling, I’m not 100% sure yet. I can feel I’m getting there, and somehow I’m drawn to teaching and working with people in less developed parts of the world.
What about you? Have you discovered your true calling in life? Please share your thoughts.
I was just reading the O mag Sonia and was very happy to realize I have found my true callings. Writing and Art are gifts and we need to use the gifts we are given, I think. My next step will be public speaking engagements.
I think you’ve found your true calling, too. Don’t you?
b
Barbara,
It sounds like you followed the 4-step guide I mentioned from O magazine. My true calling is a work in progress. I have a few, I think.
I have heard that in Buddhism there is this concept of “right livelihood” where one can find contentment in simple pursuits as even a street sweeper. A friend of ours resisted retiring, skipping “golden parachute” offers repeatedly until it was clear to her it was time to retire. Her identity was tied to her career for this company as a product manager.
When she retired she lost her identity, so she found another job. But try as she might, she could not fill this “need” in her. She quits then takes on another job, only to find herself hating her job.
My wife once said: “The quality of one’s life is related to the quality of one’s relationships.” She is right. I think there is more satisfaction in life in accepting ‘who you are’ than with ‘what you do/accomplish’.
The people who loved Steve Jobs will long hold him in their hearts as a lover/parent/friend long after he is forgotten as the founder of Apple.
Robert,
It doesn’t sound like the person you describe was truly passionate about what she did and whether or not it influenced or helped others. I think that is the difference between a job and a true calling.
I think to find it one must search and try. This is the only way to discover what sort of life is for you
Ola recently posted..Szkoląc się u mistrza Schellera/Training ourselves at Scheller Academy
From the time I was very young, I knew what my true calling was yet, accident or fate, I followed another path – though happily – for many years. I often wonder what would have happened if I’d always followed my true calling. At least, I would have done what I always wanted to do. When I finally got back on my path, it was almost – not quite – too late.
All I can say is, if you find your true calling in life, follow it. Don’t decide that something else looks more promising, challenging, more money making or less problematic. Otherwise, you may forever regret it.
Penelope J. recently posted..Never Give Up on Your Dream
Great advice and in a way, I have to do the same with my youngest son who wants to get deployed. He is passionate about a career in the Army.
After university, I felt I was called to work as a volunteer and I did so both in the UK and China…
I felt I was called to teach and I did that too until I moved to Sweden.
Lady Fi recently posted..Punks
All the things you did before you married, I feel like doing now that my children are growing up.
Nice post. Once we find that thing, we can really start giving that something special to the world. When I was a performer, I thought that that was what I was put on earth to do, but now I think it’s writing because I’m going to be a better writer than I ever was a performer. I’ve never worked so hard in my life before and all because I have a feeling that what I write will actually bring some benefit to the world.
Tahlia Newland recently posted..Review – Knight’s Curse by Karen Duval
So happy to meet you and to know that you are also writing and have found passion in that. Can’t wait to see what you’re writing about. Thanks for your comment. Sonia.
Great Post!!!
How does what you’re doing make you feel? 100% almost every day
I love my life, my marriage and my job.
There are still dreams of things I want to do…but there is still lots of time!
Does it have a positive impact on others?
I surely hope so… and honestly, I really do think it does….
Just about every day I meet someone who has been impacted by something I wrote or shared or by something connected to someone we both know..and it feels great.
Kelli recently posted..Prague, Part 2–A history of communism
Kelli,
So great to hear that you’ve found a positive impact and I’m sure you’re helping out your Danish students tremendously, especially with your background.