Hi Friend
This week was as amazing as I had hoped it would be. I left town at 5:30am Monday morning and got back last night (Friday) around midnight. Every moment in between was filled with excitement. Granted, I self-generate enthusiasm wherever I go, but the situations I found myself in, were pretty thrilling. I had never been to the Black Hills in South Dakota, nor Ft. Myers Florida.
They are entirely different environments and both spectacular! Three nights I stayed in Deadwood. I know there is a show with that name, but have never seen it. The old downtown has saloons and a pioneer vibe. In Ft. Myers I stayed at a resort on Sanibel Harbor. I left my sliding door open all night so I could hear the water splashing and cascading.
We went to Mt. Rushmore too. I couldn’t help but think of the National Treasure movies I loved watching with my kids. I was looking for secret passages and may have hopped over a barrier to climb up to get just a little closer.
In between the fun, I did a bit of work as well. I spoke in Spearfish for two days to the employees of a family-owned regional bank that is over 100 years old! In Florida I was the closing keynote for a SHRM Conference that was launching their inaugural Summit. Both places had live audiences. #GoodTimes
Because I’ve incorporated consistent daily habits, one of them is journaling. I normally do it in the morning, but on the road, I found my schedule altered and did it in the evening. Each day I kept finding myself feeling the need to express gratitude. How fortunate am I to get to do what I do and people and organizations value it?! It’s humbling. One of the ladies at the SHRM conference said to me…
“Good Thing You Found Your Calling”
She’s not the first to say something like that to me. It’s a generous compliment. I think they think that because I’m using my natural gift-set well, making a difference and it appears to happen with ease. How would you identify a calling realized?
It’s a concept I believe we each possess. Though, I find how it is defined seems to expand and morph as life continues on. Maybe you’ve heard of a guy named Joseph who had a coat of many colors? He had a musical. When he traveled through earth, he had a dream of what his future would look like. Some might even refer to it as his calling. However, when it was realized, it wasn’t the end goal, but only an indicator that he was on the right path for his life’s purpose.
I like to think our calling isn’t so much a specific lane to travel, but multiple road signs along the highway we’re currently cruising to indicate whether we’re heading in the best direction.
Calling Indicators
Fulfilling, though difficult.
Flows natural talent, though requires enormous work.
Enables or compels others to pursue their purpose.Serves humanity.
Rejuvenates our soul, exhausts our body.
What I appreciate about the flexibility of calling is that it inherently adapts to whatever road we find ourself, whether we feel like a driver or passenger.
After the lady offered me her kind words she said “I hope I find mine some day.” Half in jest, half sincerely. Have you ever felt that way? Like you’re living your life but it’s not the one you were designed to be living? Sensing our reality is out of alignment with who we are meant to be is quite disheartening.
After Joe had his dream the following decade seemed like one long detour. Yet when we accept that this current path we’re traveling is essential to experiencing all the things in our hearts and imaginations, it can lessen the frustration.
Instigating Ideas
1. What are Calling Indicators to you?
2. Do you think in terms of your Calling? Can you articulate it?
3. Are you living out your Calling?
4. Reach out to someone who feels out of sync with who they imagine themselves to be and encourage them.
Calling seems like a spiritual pre-determined course to run and something we can miss. We can avoid and deflect it, I suppose. However, I find it’s malleableness persists in giving us opportunities to steer in a direction that creates a roadway to fulfillment. Just a few weeks ago, this same phrase came up with my friend Brad. I tend to avoid ascribing it to my professional journey. It’s curious when someone else does.
I imagine you and I aren’t waking up each morning evaluating where we’re at in reference to our calling. When someone else acknowledges it however, it feels like a good time to pause and consider. 🙃
I would love to hear how you imagine the concept of calling and if it plays into your thinking and decision making. Have you ever met someone and thought “that person is living their calling”? What about them prompted that thought?