Lately my energy has been diverted away from those things I consider a part of my 'calling' towards things that have to be done to keep the budget ticking over and ensure the bills get paid.
Unfortunately, this has trampled all over the time I spend with friends and family, and just as importantly (for me), the time I spend with myself and in the process of doing the things that nurture my soul and feed my creativity.
The balance has been lost, and for the moment, it's going to be staying that way as I forge through the year ahead trying a new day job on for size. I've dedicated at least one whole year to it to see what it brings.... but I have to say, if it continues to impede what I consider to be my true calling, it may indeed have to bite the dust.
Currently, the time I used to dedicate to getting my courses (Pathways to Home and The Tiny Tidy Challenge) ready has disappeared down a fast moving sink hole, then drained away. This is not good for my overall life-time dreams and goals.
Taking on this new job has, however, been an extremely clarifying and eye opening experience that has helped bring many things in my life into sharp focus. For that, I am truly grateful no matter how long I continue to do it.
I truly do believe if you feel you have a 'calling', you must follow it with all your heart. I think I've made the path to my calling a little hard to follow for a while, but I'll never lose sight of it, and I'm more passionate about it than ever.
Do you have a 'calling'?
Are you following it in your life now?
Linda. xox
PS: Thank you to those who have signed up to the Tiny Tidy Challenge in the last couple of weeks! I promise it will be on its way before the end of the year. That's not as soon as I would have liked it to happen, but I'm determined it WILL happen!
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Sorry to hear things are not going entirely as planned and that the road you chose to walk on for now seems to be diverting you from your true path. But perhaps as you say, you needed some big eye openers to make things even more clear.
ReplyDeleteRight now my (well-paid) job appears to be sucking the life and soul out of me, and interferes with my peace of mind, but fear-based thoughts keep me where I am. I think I need to work hard on following that true calling, if even with baby steps at a time!
xx
Baby steps are really good. Fear is what keeps most of us stuck I think! I was afraid of trying this new job on for size, but I took a chance (put my big girl's blouse on as we say in Aus) thanks in part to the strong support of friends and family. It may not have achieved what I wanted, but it's been a boon in other ways because it's helped me bring everything sharply back into focus in many aspects of my life. My calling was never in doubt, but I'd lost the spark in some other areas. Now I realise all over again how lucky I was with what I had! But, it could have gone the other way too.... I had to try to see. I may have wished I'd tried it years ago. We don't know until we take a risk. It hasn't killed me, so all is good!
DeleteI don't like the sound of your job sucking the life out of you. It's not good. Peace of mind is so valuable too. Such a simple thing and yet so hard to find sometimes. I will cheer for you as loudly as I can from over here!
Linda. xox
Thanks for the support Linda! I have in the meantime come to the only right conclusion - to get the hell out of there! I'm not a quitter (after 10 years with the same company no one could call me that anyway) but it's time to realise that the company I once joined and that was so great to work for really is no more. A new challenge awaits as soon as I manage to sever my ties with the old! xx
DeleteAh! Was just saying how the necessities of the home keep me from what I consider my 'real job' of nurturing my children.
ReplyDeleteSometimes we need to take that longer route to our desired destination, but despite our impatience, there is always something interesting for us to see along the way. No journey is wasted. Enjoy where your journey is taking you and for what it brings you.
I'm not ready for the Tiny Tidy Challenge just yet anyway - I need to clean my house first and finish the ironing!! :D
Nurturing children is the best job in the world! I used to play a small part in that in my old job... and I really miss the children lately.
DeleteThanks so much for your comments Mamma Fish, you're always so kind and thoughtful. When are you going to get that blog of yours going so I can comment back?
Linda. xox
Don' worry, it will pass and you'll have the time to do your things again. Ahhh, who invented money??? Can I please put my hands on this person?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it is really amazing on how you learn about yourself from the most different experiences. And smart people (like you!) are able to use in a positive way even the not so positive ones...
I think I don't need the 'Challenge' that much, but the 'Tidy' part, oh God, do I need that!! Help me!
I'll be eagerly waiting for the end of the year now.
Yes, who did invent money... hit that person over the head with a wet fish.
DeleteYou always find the good in whatever happens Bobbi, I so admire that about you. Thanks for your kind comment!
And hehehe about the tidy bit..... I'd love your home as much as your kitties do I bet. :)
Linda. xox
Linda,
ReplyDeleteThis post really resonated with me because I certainly have taken a detour the past few years. Quitting my job, which I loved and considered a calling, to be a full-time mom to my kids. No regrets there, of course, but now the time has come for me to return to that career albeit part-time, mainly because it makes me happy and our family could use the money. But the balancing act is so tough and I'm trying hard to listen to my heart to tell me just how much to take on in terms of work so that my kids don't ever take a No. 2 on my list. It is a tough tug-of-war!
I do believe detours are a necessary part of life which make us appreciate the journey all the more. And oh, the destination is so much sweeter for any adversity we've faced along the way. I know you believe this, too. I hope your detour brings you back to your main path soon so you can get back to pursuing your calling.
I think you're so right about detours Minnie... mine has given me great clarification. Not about my calling, that has never been in doubt, but about what I do when I'm not involved in that (I have to have the extra income to pay the bills!).
ReplyDeleteI had become too blinded by some aspects of my old part-time job to see the really good bits, and I've missed things about it that never occurred to me as something I'd miss.
I've now realised that job includes so many elements of what I enjoy in life (creativity, music, dance, art work, design, variety etc), and I'd glossed over how great it was for years because I'd been doing it for so long and gotten into a rut!
This corporate/sales world I'm now in most of the time has been enlightening to say the least. I knew who I was, but I wanted a challenge. Perhaps it was my mid life crisis flaring up! I'm quite capable of functioning to a high standard in this world I'm in for most of the day, it's just not 'my' world, and I don't want it to be.
So, I've found myself anew, and that's great! I'm committed here until the end of the year.......... but then LOOK OUT!!
After all that self centred rambling about myself, I'll get to what I meant to say in the beginning! I hope you're able to get some time back for YOU in your life. Just you and what it is you love to spend time on for you. It must be so tough when you have young children to worry about, but I firmly believe the best mum is one who looks after herself first. Then the children get the very best of you, which is what they deserve. Good luck with getting some balance back.
DeleteLinda. xx