“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and do that, because what the world needs is people who come alive.”
-Howard Thurman, an American author, theologian, philosopher, and civil rights leader
The quote above is an intriguing idea to consider.
When we think about a calling, it is related to a direction from God to follow a particular path. If one is an atheist, it qualifies as a deep feeling within someone’s inner core to travel a certain road.
This can clash with one’s goals to achieve great prestige in life.
For instance, many parents want a doctor or an engineer in the family, and they pressure their children to pursue one of those careers. That’s not an irrational goal; good parents should encourage their kids to become as prosperous as possible.
However, entering into one of the fields with an excellent reputation might be different from that individual’s mission in life.
How does one cope with that reality? The answer will lie in the individual circumstances of each person. There are geniuses among us who can accomplish multiple things in the course of their life. They can go from being an astronaut to a model to a surgeon within one lifetime.
Others have to dedicate themselves to a career that inspires them to live.
The rest of us will fall somewhere in between the two extremes. Either way, the issue comes down to each individual paying attention to what moves them deeply.
I could even venture to say you might not always love your calling but feel driven by a higher power or inner source to stay the course.
One of life’s most challenging aspects becomes awareness of who we are and the direction we want to take. Many would say the hardest thing to do is be yourself.
Finding out what motivates you to wake up in the morning and have an impactful day feels like something we all should know, but the answer alludes many of us.
The resolution to that can conflict with what our family, friends, and community want for us. Going an alternative route can bring peace by following what God or their inner core triggers them to attain.
Ultimately, we all want our lives to mean something.
Our legacy becomes the actions and behaviors we demonstrate daily. We build character by listening to our inner voice and partaking in activities that match our ethics. If we meet that standard, then life will mean something.
Don’t wait until you are near death to contemplate whether you did live a life with purpose. Ask the question now, and more importantly, listen to where God or your inner voice wants you to travel.
P.S. What is your calling in life?
Does your current occupation line up with your calling?
Vertis Williams is a Positive Habits Life Coach and a Mindfulness Trainer. He is a regular presenter at employee and team-development events. Contact him to request more info on his Workshops or on his Coaching Services! Click HERE to Request a Complimentary Habit Coaching Session!