Your Calling
“There is no greater force in nature than the power of a soul committed to evolving upward” – Ken D. Foster
I have a friend who had a dream for 15 years. She wanted to be a public speaker and life coach to empower and educate people on domestic violence prevention. She tried for several years to make that happen. As she traveled on her path through life, she found herself in dead end jobs, all the while desiring and focusing on what she wanted to be: a public speaker and life coach. She was always dissatisfied and discontent with all the positions she held in corporate America.
She was never happy with what she was doing, nor was she ever fulfilled. She was neglecting her passion. Things were not working because people around her could not understand why she was still trying so hard to make her dream a reality. They continued to tell her, “Why don’t you just give up and stay in a job that pays you regularly? That way you don’t have to worry about money coming in.” That same person down the road told her, “Did you know that 80% of people despise their jobs?” She was adamant in her response, “I am not going to be one of those 80%.”
As I was interviewing her for this blog article, she began to be really honest with herself. She told me that she used to just dream about her dream. She never had a plan or a blueprint on how to get to where she wanted to be, on a platform inspiring people. She continued to wait for things to happen. She did not know the work that it took to get her on that platform of life. She began to doubt herself and her abilities. So, she continued to stay in her dead end jobs and go back to school so she could counsel people. That way she will always have the security of a job. Although she did not enjoy it, life was easy.
Ten years after the traumatic death of a family member, she had an emotional breakdown that placed her in a behavioral health unit at a local hospital. After her three month treatment was completed, my friend found the speaking topic that would fulfill her calling: Mental Health and Wellness. She had some money saved up, so she made a commitment to herself that she will share her story of struggle and triumph so that others do not experience what she went through.
You see, we all have an experience in our life; each of us has a story that resides in us that is yearning to be revealed and shared. Once my friend had her personal experience, things began to happen for her. Her passion and focus shifted from a desire to a purpose; from a HAVE TO HAVE IT to a WANT TO SHARE IT!
Now, she wakes up every day with excitement and gratitude. She creates her day with completing three tasks that will get her one step closer to living her destiny.
Have you ever asked yourself probing questions that get to the root of your inner self? Have you done the inner questioning to help you uncover your purpose—what your life is calling you to do? We must ask ourselves powerful questions to get to the core of our being.
To get you started, have you ever asked yourself, “If time and money were not an issue, what would I be doing?” I like this question because it is as if we won the lottery. If you won a million bucks, what would you do? A question like this can begin to unveil some of your interests. You may discover you like to travel, remodel homes, or you are fond of antique cars. You may discover you like to paint or garden. You may discover you love working with kids or charity organizations. You may discover the talent that can turn into a skill you can share with others and be paid to do it!
So, ask yourself, that question and maybe some of these:
Am I honoring myself and the gifts, talents and skills I am blessed to have?
If I had a choice of what would bring me substantial income, what would that be?
Does my choice reflect your highest values and beliefs? NOTE: Your values, beliefs and morals must be congruent with your passion and purpose for life.
Am I living a life of balance between work, play, family, recreation and spiritual commitments? If one of these is off kilter, then most likely your life is unbalanced.
Isn’t it time to discover what you love so that you can do what you love? Have you heard the saying, “Do what you love and love what you do?”
I want to scare you a bit here. Imagine you have one week left to change your life, to turn that dream of yours into a reality. Once your day 7 arrives, there is no going back. You will remain the same for all eternity. The chances of you ever wanting to pursue your dream are over. You will not have any more chances or opportunities. It is day 6 and you are still doing what you did before you were inspired by this blog. You are still sitting, hoping and waiting for change to just happen. Day 7 has arrived. No change has occurred because you never asked yourself probing questions that would change your life forever, turn your life into a purposeful one—a life that could inspire you and help others.
Start searching for meaningful work that you will enjoy and will truly fulfill you and feed your spirit. Find a career where you will not rely on an alarm clock because you are so excited to get up each morning and get started. I am not saying to quit your job tomorrow. You have to be smart when making significant life changes. Determine how much money and time you have to invest in yourself at this present time. If you have a house and no money in savings, I recommend keeping your job and do three action steps a day to get you one step closer to your dreams. Eventually, over time, you will get to where you were meant to be all along.
It is never too late to change. I have met people who were well into their 50s who decided that today is the day their life will change forever. Today is the day they will no longer tolerate the ball and chains that held them down for so many years. Today is the day they will explore who they really are and unveil what they truly enjoy.
Do you have limited beliefs about your ability to change? Of course you do. It is scary. But, that is the purpose behind this message. I want you to imagine yourself in the place you want to be. Close your eyes and imagine. Start believing in yourself that you can live the life you desire and that you were meant to. You were meant to live a life of peace, abundance, satisfaction and fulfillment.
MINDFUL EXERCISE:
Every time a negative thought or limited belief enters your mind, anytime a response begins with a “Yeah, but” or “I wish I could, but can’t”, anytime one of those limited beliefs enters your mind, I want you to say to yourself, “STOP IT.” Just STOP IT and close your eyes and imagine yourself in the life you desire.
And ask yourself these questions:
- When the time of my death comes, how will I want people to remember me?
- What is the inspirational, moral, and wise legacy I want to pass on to coming generations?
- What ways can I use my talents to serve humanity?
- What is the work I feel I am meant to do?
- What three tasks will I do to get me one step closer to my dreams?
Answer these and you will be well on your way to finding your calling.
To find out more about Ken Foster and his programs go to www.premiercoaching.com or www.theentrepreneursedgecoaching.com and check out his latest bestselling book at www.asksucceed.com.
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