Finding one's calling means finding what one is naturally drawn to do that provides meaning and purpose and uses one's special skills and talents. Doing this and being able to do this with passion and balance across life roles to contribute to others, one's family and community, and our world, promotes health and well-being.

Finding work that fosters a sense of meaning and purpose- “discovering my calling”- is a theme that appears often during initial intake interviews. Many individuals acknowledge an awareness of some inner potential and express frustration with their lack of clarity regarding their career goals. This is true for young people in their 20’s, and older workers in their 50’s and 60’s. Even persons who have retired seek career/life counseling because they might be happy to have left their previous work situation for a number of reasons, and yet feel strongly they do have something further to contribute through a different paid work role. Some of course seek other life roles such as a volunteer role or a homemaking role to use as outlets for their interests, talents and values.

I believe all people have callings. People often have multiple callings. There are primary callings and secondary callings. The beauty of using a career/life paradigm that recognizes career as multiple roles a person plays throughout their live, including a paid work roles, is that this context provides many avenues for self-expression. If one needs or wants to work, there are always a variety of jobs and occupations from which to choose. If one does not need to earn income and is financially sufficient, their interests, talents and values can be expressed in a variety of non-paid work roles. These other non-work roles can be useful and important means of activating one's calling.

Because there are only two ways to activate the worker role, obtain a job that is available or create a career, all of the clients with whom I work do both. Often a regular job can serve as a “bridge job” and a steeping stone to a Plan B or Plan C “ideal career”.

If it is possible to achieve this in a paid work role, then one is basically getting paid to do that which they fully enjoy. If circumstances preclude this from happening, there are several other life roles that will allow expression of interest, values and talents.

It is imperative that a person discovers outlets for their interests, talents, and values, especially work values. Picture these as sources of powerful positive energy in each person. When this energy is able to rise out from within and is released in appropriate career/life roles, fulfillment is an important result that somehow mediates a sense of well being and balance among life roles. I believe this promotes higher functioning immune systems, lessens depression, and increases coping efficacy to further manage normal stressors related to challenges across various career/ life roles.

Energy flowing out equals happy faces; energy blocked from being expressed appropriately among various career/life roles equals sad faces, depression, lower functioning immune systems, and an experience of “emotional and spiritual constipation”!

CLIENTS' SEARCHES FOR MEANING AND PURPOSE

DISCOVERING CALLINGS

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