Throughout my life I've been intrigued by the concept of call with questions such as what are you called to be, whose work/words call you, and how do you hear your call?
I do believe that we are all called in different ways to live our best lives. I believe that because of my own experience of life and my experience watching others live their lives. I am amazed at the diversity of calls people here. Some are called to work and explore nature, others are called by music and the arts, and still more are called by sports, politics, education, and business.
Once I was invited to interview for a business job. I didn't know much about business at the time, and also had little regard for business. That was clear during the interview--those interviewing me clearly could see I was not called in that direction at that time.
Sometimes, our calls have a lot to do with survival. We are called because we need and want to survive our circumstances. This may result in a survivalist call to make money, distance yourself from harmful friends or family members, find your people, and live in a place that gives you strength over your circumstances. Though survival calls are necessary, those calls can sometimes block our deeper, more truthful calls--the calls that help us be truly alive.
Other calls, are the calls that do beckon us to be who we were meant to be--calls that highlight our best talents, needs, and ability to contribute to the world around us. When physical or psychological survival is not at the forefront, we are better able to reach for our true selves--the people who we can happily be, and the people who bring the world our great gifts.
In my own life, most of my calls so far have been more closely related to survival calls than true calls. Yet the calls overall have been a blend of both.
Survival calls were based on the fact that I was a working class women in a world that didn't have a lot of respect for that position. I also faced some struggle early on that I had to work my way out of. And now, at a late age, I have the luxury of listening for my true call for the next stage--what is it that I really want to do, and how can I do that well. To have the luxury of time to listen, read, learn, and research is a great gift. I hope to use this gift well in the days ahead as I find my next investment in living a good life.
Who are you called to be? How do you nurture that call? Are you responding to calls that mainly relate to survival or do you have the luxury to choose without that concern? How does being your best self and answering your true call help others too?