A calling. An avocation. A pet project. A wildest dream. A compulsion.
Sometimes we think that hearing voices in our heads is a sign of mental illness. Other times we treat these inner voices as valued counselors who are trying to lead us to a better path. Let’s discuss the latter.
Many of us take jobs because we need income or because we think these jobs would be good or honorable things to do. Maybe we’re planning to get an MBA or a Law degree because of peer pressure or to meet the expectations of friends and family.
And sometimes we get these compulsions to do something different. Maybe they sound like voices talking to us. Perhaps they are merely urges or intuitive flashes to compel us to investigate other paths. You take up a hobby, a sport, or join some new group to try to satisfy this new want.
You might take up blogging. Do you really know why?
In my case, I sometimes wonder how I came to develop this habit of pumping out words and images on a regular basis, especially since it has very little to do with my day job. My current hypothesis is that, indeed, I’m following some kind of calling. Some people believe they receive some kind of message or calling and decide to pursue a religious vocation. Others go into business, sports, politics, or some other profession.
I’ve never heard an inner voice that said, “You must write.” It’s more of a case of trying something, finding it fulfilling, and continuing to do it. And yet… sometimes it’s closer to being an addict, having a hunger to satisfy and feeling pangs when you can’t or don’t write. Or is it more like the guilt you feel when you cheat on your diet or skip going to the gym? Good question.
Maybe it is a calling after all. During the better times it feels like I’m making tiny steps towards a shining city in the far distance, or a worthwhile goal of some kind. Like I’m on a journey to find me, wherever I am. Or will be. Or want to be. Or need to go to. Maybe I’ll find you there, too. At any rate, I’m learning a lot, meeting new people, and building some important skills.
Is this calling something that I can follow towards a vocation or an income? Too early to tell, perhaps.
This post is a bit spacey and abstract (already recommitting one of my 2008 mistakes, tsk tsk) but this is somewhat nebulous stuff, you know?
But enough about me. Why do you blog, podcast, make video, or otherwise create content? Are you following a calling? I’d really like to know.
Perhaps you should go read, or listen to, some Joseph Campbell.. he does a pretty good job of describing what's up with the calling stuff.
Its kind of complicated.. to try and describe the underlying psychodynamics of the calling.. of hearing voices, and all the rest of it.. But basically.. the best advice one can give is to listen.. for it is often of a higher order then the silly stuff our conscious mind takes as reality.. and even if its not of a higher order.. the more you listen, the more you follow, the more the voice matures.. just liking using any other muscle.
There is a spiritual dimension to life.. but often when we hear someone say something like that we think.. well some of us might thing that kinda talk isn't really grounded in anything solid.. or I mean saying you believe something is different from saying you know something, and its a common misunderstanding to think you can't get to KNOW the spiritual dimension of things.
There is a whole self that extends far beyond whatever is occupying our consciousness at any given moment. Many times I will say “this is the position I'm taking on this thing” and not quite know why I'm taking that position, cause whatever it is that lead me there is not in my conscious mind.. though it might have been there a month ago.. and if I went to the trouble of trying to call it up.. then I'd understand.. but the point is that what we have to go on.. is very limited.. when you try to tie things down rationally.. when your basis of rational has to be limited to what you can be conscious of this moment..
So the calling and voices speak for this larger self.. a larger version of you then you even realize you are. I mean if you really want to get deep about it.. who do you think you are? Who you really are.. well, that's a mystery.. but… we all live more or less by these mythologies of who we area.. and somehow that seems safer then the crazy voices!?
So I think it's important to be open to the mystery of who you are, to acknowledge that you're more then your definitions.. and the same holds true for when we look at the people around us… and spend a little time, regularly, entertaining the possibilities of who you could be.. and engage in that becoming process.
Thanks for recommending Joseph Campbell, I do need to read his work for a number of reasons. There are times when I share your vision of a self that's larger than our physical bodies, but other times I just don't believe it.
hey Mark, I find that a simple way to look at it is this: “I am doing what I am doing now because it is what I need to be doing now.” Then you just trust that what you are doing now is taking you on the path to the shining city (I like your description!).
I feel that this is validated by the fact that now and then, I get a flash of understanding, that shows me why I did a certain thing before, and how it is useful to me now, even though I didn't see it at the time.
I enjoyed this post Mark. More like this please!
Oh, and I definitely buy the “higher self” thing. I just “know”
I'm thinking of changing the title of the blog to “Personal Development for Broadcasting Brains” – what do you think?
Mark –
The beginning of the year is the perfect time to think about vocation. People like you who are able to follow their muse are the most fortunate of all. Keep writing about this. As you do, you'll inevitable find more ways to illuminate the path for others.
- Mary
Thank you Mary.
umm, let me think a moment…..
nup.
[...] up a bit on yesterday’s post about following a calling, sometimes I wonder where the words come [...]