What is your Profession?

People more often than not define us by what we do. In general, but somehow especially with regards to occupation or work. This creates no shortage of anxiety.

"What is your profession?"

Profession. Let’s look at this word.

What are you professing? What do you have to say to your community, your society, your world? Your career hopes are often a reflection of who you are. And yet, it almost seems like if one's ambitions do not involve some "practical" money-making scheme, it is worth re-considering. You are perceived as not measuring up if you choose something in the trades or artistic field.

Then there's the fact that it takes some people more time to figure out their life path. Emerson points out that if a person (thinking of Thoreau) falters or fails at his first business undertakings his community considers him to be as good as ruined. Likewise, if a person fails to choose his career within a year of his collegiate studies, he should be disheartened. As we look at this, it seems peculiar that such harsh denouncements can follow a person, who, like a flower, is unfurling his petals as fast as he can.  (go faster!!) As if our gifts have a prescribed timeline of conduction. As if that timeline were the business of anyone other than that particular person at hand.

Perhaps seeing his friend Thoreau in this predicament of societal ensnarement, and remembering his own young self, Emerson wanted to speak up for this “lost soul”. He suggests that if a person, perhaps unsure of his/her particular direction, tries multiple professions, this would in fact show a breadth of ability (not merely being “scattered”). To his mind, he/she would be worth “a hundred of these city dolls” who pride themselves on strict career monogamy.

Speaking up for this person, “He walks abreast with his days and feels no shame in not “studying a profession” for he does not postpone his life, but lives already. He has not one chance, but a hundred chances.”

It is easier to just follow the delineated modes of living, thinking, acting and feeling. However, we cannot keep allowing ourselves to be thrown into the fire, expecting to come out in a shape we ourselves do not consent to. “I must be myself. I cannot break myself any longer for you, or you. I will not hide my tastes or aversions.” Emerson continues, “I cannot sell my liberty and my power, to save their sensibility.” 

He addresses the fact that society at large and in the main will not applaud you for your sudden inspirations to act and do as your will instructs. They will see it as a gross insult, an affront to them personally if you should dismiss their directives for your individual lifestyle. “The populace think that your rejection of popular standards is a rejection of all standard…but the law of consciousness abides.”

Emerson champions the notion that it takes courage to listen to the dictates of your own soul in a world that values conformity. “And truly it demands something godlike in him who has cast off the common motives of humanity and has ventured to trust himself for a taskmaster.” With this courage and absolute self trust, “new powers shall appear.” What individual strengths were once only dimly perceived now come forth in their true form.

*When we can listen with the stethoscope pressed to our own heart (and not Mary’s or Joe’s), we will know the way to go.

*When we shut out the noise of the crowd, we discover what we have to profess. 

*Though it takes a lifetime, if we are brave, we will discover our true profession.~