How do you know when you've found your calling?

by love11 14 Replies latest jw friends

  • Quentin
    Quentin

    When you enjoy what your doing you have found your calling.

  • love11
    love11
    become a shrink who specializes in working with artists

    Big Dog- My husband is an artist, so we thought your comment was particularly funny. I've also toyed around with the idea of writing a children's book and having my husband illustrate them. Hopefully, I live long enough to accomplish most of my goals.

    Bren- Good point. I have been taking a class hear and there in college, but haven't had the courage to go in with guns-a- blazin'.

    Also, I was in a major car accident and went through this phase when I thought I should only do what makes me happy because life is short and you never know when your on your way out. Trouble was, just because doing dishes and laundry won't make you happy, that doesn't mean you shouldn't do them. I call it my hippy phase. But I'm over that and I need to start living up to my potential now. I've been pondering student loans and it's a scary thing when you just became debt free. I think I just needed a push. It feels right to me deep inside. I guess I just need to trust myself and not settle for the easy road.

    Thanks for everyone's post.

  • CeriseRose
    CeriseRose

    I was 32 when both of my parents died - they were both 56. Neither of my parents had been able to fulfill particular dreams of their own, and neither had had the opportunity to go to college/university although they both had the grades and smarts. When they passed, I was a new homeowner and had a good job, but was thoroughly complacent and bored in it. I was a Proposal Specialist in the telecommunications industry, pulling together national and international proposals and project managing teams...all learned on the job without formal schooling (save a few telecom technology courses). I was very good at what I did. However, I decided when the opportunity arose, to take a buyout package and leave my job that I'd follow my "dreams" in doing what I loved. I have always wanted to write professionally. I had dabbled in it, and my former job gave me the opportunity to do some editing. I left the security I had there and basically have been "doing my own thing" ever since.

    I won't lie, it's scary. Sometimes I wonder if I shouldn't have just stayed where it was "safe", and where I knew I'd have a guaranteed paycheque. But usually what happens when I wonder about that, is I immediately think about all the things I'd have missed, the people I've met, the opportunities I've had, and how much I absolutely feel fulfilled even doing the smallest of jobs. Besides, I was stagnating there. My life has moved now into avenues I would never have dreamed it could.

    One thing I would say to you is that things may not turn out exactly as you plan. I started a home business, which hasn't really gotten off the ground (well, I had contracts for work, just not enough to pay the mortgage!). So instead, I've farmed myself out as a temp worker, moving from contract to contract, gaining experience for my portfolio and learning to market myself. I'm also in school, working toward a Bachelor degree. It's a LOT of work juggling all these things, but again, I feel alive and happy.

    And has been said here, you'll know when you've found it. It's as natural as breathing.

  • Carmel
    Carmel

    Most people entering the job market today will change careers three to four times by retirement. Psychology is a good foundation for many diciplines so go for it. You may end up with totally different career than you envision now, but enjoying the journey is more important than arriving.

    carmel who's on his third career and lovin it.

  • Odrade
    Odrade

    I love what some of the others have said here...

    Why do you think you must pick a career and stay with it for all time? Do you expect yourself to stay exactly the same for the next 30-50 years? Or do you expect yourself to change and grow? Allow yourself the possibility that your career choice may change and grow too.

    Find what you love, and either do that for work, or do work that allows you to do what you love in your off time.

    That's my $.02.

    Odrade (working hard to do what I love.)

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