what is your life's calling? the search for deeper purpose beyond work
voice memo diaries episode #4
From time to time, pretty infrequently, I let my hair down, get over the fear of hearing my own voice and hit record on something that’s on my mind.
Enter—Voice Memo Diaries!
If you’ve missed the prior entries in this very experimental, off-the-cuff series here are Episodes #1-3:
what is your life's calling? the search for deeper purpose beyond work
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about my life’s calling.
I’m not talking about what I do for a living or something I get a salary for.
I’m talking about my skills—what am I truly good at?
It’s not just about the skills I can personally identify, but also the ones others see in me.
Maybe it’s not really about seeking external validation, but more about the recognition of your talents and how they allow you to connect with others.
How are you acting? What are you saying that other people are resonating with in a way that positively impacts their lives?
I don’t know if I have the answer.
I hear words like vocation, career, and calling, lumped together a lot in Western culture, especially in the US. There is no clear distinction of personal identity as an adult outside of “what do you do for work” or “how much money do you make?” Do those things really define who you are? Or is this internal calling—this archetype of who you are and how you want to show up in the world—more important?
I think it is. But when you stop to really think about it, it’s hard to put a name to it. not only is this calling hard to define from one moment to the next, but that definition is constantly updating as you work on yourself, as you gain more life experiences, memories, and a lifetime of highs and lows.
I don’t 100% know what my calling is. It may be glaringly obvious to those around me, but at this point, I feel like I am on a journey, trying to figure it out. My way of life is maybe not necessarily finding a label for it, but just living it, breathing it, and leading by example. It’s about showing up for the people I love and care about.
There are so many things in this life that I enjoy: spending quality time with family and close friends, reading, writing, hanging out with my partner and dog, swimming, Pilates…these are just top of noodle right now. But are these my calling? Are they just hobbies? Do they bring me purpose? I don’t know. It’s a much deeper conversation.
But I don’t think I am alone. If you’re reading this and you think about these things, or if you’re further along on the journey than me and have some enlightenment, I’d love to hear from you. In the meantime, just know that you’re loved and that I’m sending you love and light. -M