I am 65. I started my Masters at 47, in Social Work. Imagine that.
It’s never too late to pursue what calls you forward. And service has always called me forward, and now I get paid to serve, which is pretty cool, because work is not work, but what I am called to do, and also, it’s fun.
It took me along time to accept that work is fun because I was raised that fun had to look a certain way. it doesn’t need to look a certain way.
I recognize that I am fortunate in many ways, for to explore education, one needs to be well enough, physically and mentally, and have the resources to pay for the education. I promise you, I was not buy best self when I started the program. but I was well enough. (and the education was pretty affordable (RI College, MSW).
I come to you today to encourage you to know this: you can find your calling at any age and your calling can (even) be kindness. (really, imagine this world with more kindness!) I think one’s calling can be anything that does no harm. (where no harm isn't a binary no harm, but a journey no harm-meaning we grow/make amends for harm we have caused, and will cause, because we are human.
What does the journey of no harm look like? It requires self evaluation. Notice:
how you treat yourself..
and others..
don’t behave, and that includes speech, from emotion..
so, learn to self soothe..
and consider that the other person has perspective..
and we aren’t supposed to think the same..
so find your grace by using strategies, like Nonviolent Communication..
believe in your self and your basic goodness..
and know life is a journey, so goodness can unfold with each moment..
and finally, learn to negotiate your boundaries..
black rock- cut off the other (you cut off)
white rock-nothing changes (and that’s on you)
grey rock- don’t let the other snag you such that YOU misbehave (you’ll be emotional, that’s not the point) and know your rights as a human and say no, or take space, or leave, but don’t engage with another’s bad behavior. (of course, safety first)
If you live your life with more grace, another word for no harm, another word for less drama, you are on your path. Here you exude more light. and your face and your body language are no harm, and you, my friend, light up the world. You are on your path. Your calling.
I know no other way to enter this path than taking time every day to find my quiet, my unfolding truth. this can be done through journaling. meditation, breath work. sitting or walking in nature, create, body work.
This is when you can hear what you need to hear, learn what you need to learn, know what you need to know, that will lead you to do the next right thing, where right thing isn’t right versus wrong, but leading you on your path. in the last post I talked about higher self.
It is in that quiet space, every day, we reinforce that quiet knowing, of what the next right thing for us to do is, for our path. Our higher self.
Today, I commit to honoring myself, toward have the capacity to honor my people: my family, friends my clients, and my community, wherever I may cross their path. that is my calling today.
What can you do today that might honor your path, your calling? is there a behavior you need to not do, to honor your path, your calling?
I offer my belief in you, because, and only because, I have learned to believe in me. we are more alike than you know.