Vocation

“What do you do?” This is what we all too often get asked. Our answer in turn elucidates the kind* of person we are, or so it’s implied. And this is not totally false. When the new contestants on Family Feud are introduced, the average man does get a sense of their characters. A nurse is thought to be a kind, patient person. Whereas someone who works in advertising, maybe a low-conscious, results driven individual. But do we choose jobs with the intent of the prestige or money attached? Many people do. Many of us also take jobs because we fall into them. These jobs are often the ones we happily fall out of in a year or less.

 But when people ask us what we would like to do if we could, this is not always an easy question. And honestly speaking, this has not always been the ubiquitous question. Throughout history people have only ever done what their parents did, or some trade they were apprenticed to. And if you were a woman, that question wasn’t even presented.

But times have changed, and suddenly, everyone has this seemingly massive choice. What do you want to do, that happens to be socially acceptable, makes a lot of money, and gives you prestige? (sarcasm). 

I have heard it said (by Master Gerry Servito) that happiness in your work is the combination of 3 things: 

1.) What you Love

2.) What you’re Good at

3.) What the World Needs. 

The first is what the “world” focuses on—it says follow your passions—but this is not always what your ultimate contribution is. Instead, think of  problems you see needing to be addressed in society/ the world. Because maybe you have a unique stance on how they can be resolved. 

But as to true vocation, I don’t think this is something we Choose. We are chosen by It.

We don’t often realize that great figures in history had this same (seeming) turning point. Wasn’t Thomas Hardy always going to be a novelist? Wasn’t Thoreau always going to live in a Cabin in the Woods? They too had to ask what to do/who to be. Sometimes they just acted. Thomas Hardy became an architect before he ever wrote a real story. But this is interesting because where people start out is usually not where they end up. My good friend Emerson even was at a cross roads as a minister. However, he was told by his friend Mary Rotch (a Quaker) something that I know had a huge impact on his own path: “Can you believe Waldo Emerson, that you may relieve yourself of this perpetual perplexity of choosing? And by putting your ear close to the soul, learn always the true way.” Basically, stop trying so hard. Listen. Breathe. No real effort is needed for what needs to happen to happen. Now this is very Buddhist. Very Taoist.

This is the key thing, and I’ll let Emerson’s words speak for themselves:

“There is guidance for each of us, and by lowly listening we shall hear the right word. Why need you choose so painfully your place and occupation and association and modes of action and entertainment? Certainly there is a possible right for you that precludes the need of balance and willful election. For you there is a reality, a fit place and congenial duties. Place yourself in the middle of the stream of power and wisdom which animates all whom it floats, and you are without effort impelled to truth, to right and perfect contentment. …I say, do not choose…

Each man has his vocation. The talent is the call. There is one direction in which all space is open to him. He is like a ship in a river; he runs against obstructions on every side but one, on that side all obstruction is taken away and he sweeps serenely over a deepening channel into an infinite sea. Every man has this call of the power to do somewhat unique, and no man has any other call. ...Until he can manage to communicate himself to others in his full stature and proportion, he does not yet find his vocation.

What your heart thinks great is great. The soul’s emphasis is always right.”

 Essentially, your vocation isn't calling to you. It's whispering.