What is your calling?

I have been struggling lately with life in general. As I have written about before, my dad's death 9 months ago has given me a new set of glasses when looking at my life. I see things so differently now and it has forced me to re-evaluate my life. It has caused me to question my calling in this life. Why am I here? What is my purpose in this life?

I believe, whether you believe in God or the Universe or whatever, that we are all here for a reason. We each have our own calling, our role in this world. The foundation of that belief is believing in something. Some people talk of the universe, goddesses, and so forth. But you have to believe in something, a higher power, in order to believe that you are here for a reason. That's what I think, anyway.

Some of us are meant to be mothers. Some of us are meant to be teachers. Some of us are meant to care for the sick. Some of us are here to inspire others. However, your calling is not merely a job, it is your highest purpose in life.

During our lives, we are shown signs of what our calling is. Those signs are shown in the little things we do. For example, if your calling is to teach, there may have been moments in your life where you helped someone read or taught someone a new word or explained a math problem. You felt passionate about helping others with these little things. This is you being a teacher in the making. This is you being shown that your calling is to be a teacher. Your calling encompasses what you like to do, what comes natural to you.

Now once you realize what your calling is, it doesn't mean it's so literal. Let's use being a teacher as an example. Let's say that being a teacher is your calling. Despite that being your calling, that might not mean you're going to teach in a classroom. You could be a teacher in other ways. You might become a public speaker where you are educating the public on important topics. You might turn out like Oprah and have a TV show where you reach millions of viewers and educate them on life and its ups and downs. Your calling has a main role but consists of many facets within that role. Using Oprah as an example, her main calling may be to teach others but within that calling, she has been able to become a successful celebrity, philanthropist and helper to others. Finding your calling is truly tapping into what is in your heart; what draws you in...what makes you happy.

We're all called. If you're here breathing, you have a contribution to make to our human community. The real work of your life is to figure out your function—your part in the whole—as soon as possible, and then get about the business of fulfilling it as only you can. ~ Oprah Winfrey

No matter what your calling is, everyone's calling has the same goal: to serve others. When you serve others, you not only make yourself feel better but you heal yourself a little with each moment. You feel better because you are fulfilling your destiny and walking your path. Think of your calling as a unique mission. That unique mission is the greatest gift you can give to the world and you don't even have to work hard at it. It's who you are. No mission is too small. Once you know your calling, you are already fulfilling your purpose. You might not get public credit - not all of us will end up on the cover of Time Magazine. But it's not about being validated by the public. It's about how you feel as you walk your path, living out your calling. That dream was put in your heart for a reason. While you are gifting the world with your calling, you are also gifting yourself.

I know what my calling is; to help and inspire others. There is no denying it. I guess with everything that has happened to me in the last 3 years, I have been forced to clean-up my life. While this has made me confused at times, angry, and sad, it has also made me feel re-born. It has made me feel like my life is finally back on track. It's hard for us to see the very things in our lives that hold us back when they are our norm. Sometimes the norm makes us lose sight of our calling and what we are meant to do in this life. Normalcy equals comfortable, consistent and predictable. And honestly, life is not meant to be that way all the time. In order for us to fully realize and live our purpose, we will be challenged and tested at times.

Just because we have been shown the way does not mean we will go that way. Fear of the unknown holds us back from taking a chance and not choosing an easy path. That higher being (whatever you believe that to be...God, The Universe, etc) will show us the way but at the end of the day, we have free will and make our own choices. The funny thing about life is that while we make those "easy" choices, our purpose (those things we are meant to do in life) will constantly show itself in signs until we make the right choice. For some of us, like myself, it takes a while. I'm going to get it right this time and I feel it in my heart that I am.

What's your calling?