Finding Your Calling in Unexpected Places

In my March 3rd posting, I addressed this blogs “conspicuous silence.” After my husband’s recent stay in the ICU, our sense of financial security was a little shaky. In order to relieve the stress, I decided to find a steady job.

Of course, after reading A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle, I felt it was important to find more than a job. True, I needed a steady income, but I also wanted to be of service. I began applying for part-time faculty positions at local colleges. I’ve always enjoyed helping individuals achieve their life goals and, as an English instructor, I felt like I could contribute in my own small way.

I was hired by a small college that shares the same optimistic vision I have – anyone can become anything, if they only believe in themselves. Although teaching freshman composition within a community that primarily speaks English as a second language was very challenging, it was also very rewarding.

Much of my free time was consumed with creating exams, grading papers, and trying to find ways to make English grammar fun and entertaining. The hard work paid off though, as I watched student confidence grow with each achievement. In turn, they encouraged me with heartfelt letters of appreciation. It was a very fulfilling experience.

Then, I was offered a position I had not applied for. While teaching, I had assisted Student Services with their Spring Graduation. I spent at least 16 hours a week in the Student Services office, and really enjoyed working with the staff. I was impressed by their dedication and their attempt to deliver an astounding graduation despite the fact that they had been without a Director for months.

“Do you think you would like working there full-time?” asked the VP of finance. She was offering me the Director’s position. I knew the combination of my corporate background, my teaching experience, and my self-directed freelance work provided a unique set of skills that could benefit the office, but I was still reluctant.

“I don’t know. I would really hate to give up teaching.” It was my calling, after all—Wasn’t it?

Over the next few weeks, I questioned my motives. I remembered something Eckhart Tolle had said, “Many people ask themselves what they want in life. What they should ask is what does life want from me.” So, I asked the question what does life want from me. I began to realize that my insistence on teaching was based on my own ego. It was not how I could be of greatest service, but was based on my belief that teaching was one of the noblest of professions. It was also based on the positive feedback I received from my students, feedback that nurtured my own pride and sense of self-worth.

As I began to examine my own motives and had the courage to let those misconceptions go, the door opened once again. “The position of Director is still available,” the VP of finance reminded me. This time, I took the job—but it’s more than a job. Now I serve the entire student body not just the handful of students that come through my classroom.

Sometimes you have to let go of what you think you should do, in order to see the thing you could do, to find your calling in unexpected places.