“Follow your bliss” was Mythology Professor Joseph Campbell’s reply when his students asked him, “What should I do with my life? What should be my vocation?” In other words, his message was to follow your heart and do work that brings you the greatest joy.
Your mission is a calling or higher purpose that you feel inspired to fulfill. A mission is any worthwhile purpose for which you feel a deep sense of commitment and connection. It will usually involve a cause you feel deeply about and use talents that bring you joy.
Bill Moyers recently interviewed Dr. Jane Goodall, the scientist who became well known for her work in Africa with gorillas and chimpanzees. She discovered her mission at a young age and had the courage to follow her bliss.
Fascinated by reading books about Tarzan, Jane Goodall at age eleven began to develop a longing to go to Africa to live among and study animals in the wild. Eventually, under the influence of famed anthropologist Dr. Louis Leakey, she became a scientist who spent years observing gorillas and chimps in their natural habitat.
Whereas her earlier mission had taken the form of studying animals in the wild many hours a day for years, it took on a different form over the past twenty years. As many animal species started becoming extinct or greatly reduced due to climate change, unnecessary killings and other factors, she began to travel extensively to teach others how to protect the environment and animal species. She travels over 300 hundred days a year to spread her message, especially to young people and students who often receive her as if she were a rock star. Many in her audience become actively involved in protecting animal species and the environment because of Jane Goodall’s passion and example.
The great love and compassion for animals that Dr. Goodall has was evident from her childhood. She has always been on a mission to help them, but her role as a scientist and observer diminished and her role as a teacher increased because she felt the need and inner calling to do so. Examples like hers can inspire us to discover our own mission, follow our bliss and live our dream.
For more information about Dr. Goodall and her work you can go to http://www.janegoodall.org.
Copyright 2009. Raymond Gerson
Best regards,
Raymond Gerson
