Listen to Your Life and Discover Work You Were Born to Do
“Is the life I am living, the same as the life that wants to live in me?” These are the words of Parker Palmer from his book, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation.
Are you living your life based on “oughts” and “shoulds” or on what your life and inner voice are calling you to do? It is easy to fall into the trap of pursuing a career because you or others believe this is what you “ought” to do. And yet, to “follow your bliss” and to discover the work that you were meant to do, you must listen to your heart.
Parker Palmer spent years in vocations which were not aligned with his true nature and best talents. This resulted in his being depressed for many years of his life. Eventually he returned to teaching and helping educators. This work was in harmony with the life that wanted to be expressed through him. Greater job satisfaction and the ability to make a positive contribution were the result.
One of my college students was depressed and was self-sabotaging by missing classes and turning his school work in late. For years he and others believed that he “should” become a nurse. More self-reflection helped him to realize that nursing would not be fulfilling. He had worked in hospitals before and did not enjoy it. Recalling the joy of being an athletic trainer’s assistant while in high school made him realize that he wanted to go in a different direction. For example, he remembered patching up the quarterback who went back into the game and scored the winning touchdown. This experience made him feel joy and a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
My student changed his college major and began pursuing the goal of becoming an athletic trainer. His depression disappeared, papers were turned in on time and he attended every class. He was inspired, happy, and self-motivated. His grades began to improve and he seemed like a different person.
This is an example of what can happen when you stop living your life according to “oughts” and begin living the life that wants to live in you. The clues to a career that is right for you are in your life. Let your life speak and then listen to your own inner voice. This is how you can discover the work you were born to do.
Copyright 2009. Raymond Gerson
Best regards,
Raymond Gerson
