The True Calling

By Alison N.G. Fernandes

As human beings, we are born with many talents and skills. When honed in the right manner, these talents and skill set help us to prepare adequately on the journey of life. The many opportunities that life presents to us is a pathway to this journey.

On completion of school and at the crossroads between higher studies and a career, we choose a path which best suits our attitudes, values, innate abilities and skill set, thus making us a personality that is ready to face the challenges of life, especially at work. Once a choice is made, we enter the world of work, (the job set-up) which is vastly different from the comfort of college life, where one could take it easy. In this job set-up, we could meet people from different backgrounds, carrying unique personalities with a gamut of degrees and qualifications to help them “standout” and “shine bright.” The daily grind, resulting in subconscious competition to achieve career goals can bring forth attitudes not conducive to harmonious, healthy relationships. At this juncture, one may need to step back and focus on one’s personal goals which can help soften the attitudes developed at the job set-up. Thus, in all probability bringing about a change in focus becomes the need of the hour. An inward focus will help filter any negativity and support looking at reality as it is.

Once awareness sets in about the real picture, the individual can move forward in the chosen direction. Working with their strengths, the individual can now find purpose in his /her life. Taking the job- set up as a basis, he/she can now begin to tarry along to understand his/her “vocation” and feel one’s “true calling”.

As I’d like to put it- your job gives you a salary, but it may be difficult to put a price- tag on your vocation; though sometimes, two can be put together to make a life, rather than just a living.

A person’s true calling is one’s passion. Passion that would be an enthusiastic zeal for something that is of great importance to that person. It would mean giving one’s all without the need to get any returns or benefits. It is a thirst and a deep longing to do something, not for self -glorification, but out of plain passionate love what one is doing. It is finding the treasure within oneself and then pouring it out for the good of humanity.

This emphasises the need for a closer look at one’s intentions. Think about life in these terms: “Apart from my job, what can I do to make a difference to the world?” Yes, monetary satisfaction is necessary, but can I think about how to give back to society? How can all this add up to making life more meaningful? The buck stops here, so to speak.

In one’s own limited capacity, which when harnessed can become unlimited, the individual can highlight challenges in the preferred area of work, by using the resources at hand and bringing about necessary changes in the existing system. The individual’s efforts will reap a harvest, once he/she knows and understands what task needs to be accomplished and why! The point being made here, is to look at the bigger picture. As the background unfolds, the foreground or whatever one is doing in their job, may seem unimportant, but surely that area will reflect its beauty in the vocation; the aptitudes necessary for the job can bring power in one’s vocation. Herein, both the job and the vocation become vibrant. The work of one’s hand becomes fruitful as one ventures into the direction of one’s true calling.

The vocation would need the individual to set time out of his/her busy schedule and reach out for some resources to bring out the best in the desired task. This would mean moving out of one’s comfort zone and facing difficulties and trials, yet feeling a sense of contentment in the end.

Amidst the challenges, there is always enthusiasm for life in general. The work at hand seems easy and light and the entire process of getting things done, happens in a state of flow- working without actually putting in a whole lot of effort (heart work not hard work.)

In such a situation, it would be difficult or next to impossible, to fathom a life that is full of drudgery and boredom, since the challenges, if any (even if they may be many) would bring meaning to the goal of living- not only for oneself, but also for others.

Not everyone in our world would endorse this kind of a life, considering the daily grind of a 9-5 job has been the norm since time immemorial. It is but natural that some “control freaks’’ would make light of the vocation one is called to. But the individual, by the courage of her/his convictions, must stand up for their truth, even if it would mean standing alone. Eventually, after much perseverance, the right people will come along to provide support towards one’s goals. These co -workers in the calling, can help find beauty and add value to the quality of work and life.

Answering the true call of one’s vocation would therefore mean fearlessly and confidently giving of oneself and sharing one’s inner treasures of talents and skills without counting the cost. Being selfless in a world full of self- centredness is surely one’s true calling.

By Alison N.G. Fernandes