Finding Your Calling ~ Part 2

If you search, you will find.  This is what ancient scriptures tell us.  If you want to find your purpose in life, it will take commitment and persistence.  Are you willing to do what it takes?  This week is part 2 Finding Your Calling.

There are many keys which can help guide us in looking for our purpose.  They are not often mentioned, many don't even realize there are hidden keys all around us.  More important is the mindset you hold when understanding these keys.

 Your mind is like a parachute, it works best when it is open.  Is yours open?  I can give you clues to assist you in finding what you want to do with your life but unless you’re open to examining yourself and getting out of your comfort zone, what is shared with you will fall on deaf ears.  So for a moment, set aside your preconceived notions, and take in the following ideas:

 Ask these questions:  What do you spend a lot of your free time thinking about?  Is it a person, a place, is it an idea?  When this comes to mind, how does it make you feel?  Do you feel happy, excited, sad or does it promote fear within you?  Most people are not aware of what they randomly think about.  If this is you, pay attention to your thoughts and where they go.

 As a general rule, the very thing you were created for is also something that ignites a fire inside you.  That fire could be anger, happiness or even compassion.  Chances are, you will feel passionate about it on several different levels.  As an example, when I hear about a dysfunctional family where there is verbally / emotional abuse or neglect, a fire stirs up inside me.  This is because my calling is to help people live with healthy attitudes, thoughts and beliefs.  I know from experience dysfunctional families do not hold the same traits that I value.

Whose tears affect you the most?  When you see someone in pain, or someone mourning, does grief stir you?  Many times I have heard that people often start a business or offer a service simply because they had a bad experience in that particular area.  Use your past experiences, both good and bad, to help guide you in what you are passionate about.

 Lastly:  Chances are, your calling will include a person or a group of people.  Your service and passion is needed to some, yet not everyone.  Even Microsoft does not have a PC in every home.  You cannot be all things to all people, nor should you try.  But to some, you will mean a great deal.  Who are those folks for whom you have a great deal of compassion?

 As you answer these questions, I encourage you to write them down.  Then study them.  Invest time thinking about your answers.  Next week we will cover several more hidden keys to help you find your purpose.

Have a great weekend everyone, be blessed.

The 5 Love Types

There is no doubt marriages take a lot of work. The day to day pressures our lives can be under have a way of weighing on us over time. Often, it is easy to forget what our spouse may or may not need. I guess you could say the “comfort zone” is way too easy to fall into when we are simply trying to get through the daily grind and stay up on our responsibilities.

Recently, I have been studying the five love styles commonly referred to as “love languages.” These are essential yet very simple ways in which each of us can give and receive love. We are all born with a style. What intrigues me the most is that every one of us operates from a certain style (a primary) and that we all have a secondary style.

The five styles are as follows: Physical touching, acts of service, words spoken, giving of gifts and quality time. Each of us fit into one or two of these five categories. You may be aware of these, but I want to encourage you to take a few minutes and really learn them. Knowing what matters most to your spouse and to your kids about how they “feel loved” is very important. It is free, short and you may just learn something about yourself as well. When you have a moment, go to: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/assessments/love/ and take this short quiz.

I believe during tough times we all need to be aware of these little things. I say little because it does not take much effort or energy to show your kids or your spouse you love them by just simply doing for them what they need done in order to feel loved. It sure sounds like a little thing… but I promise, to feed a relationship and make or keep it healthy is not a little thing. It is huge and can make a world of difference.

A past mentor of mine told me repeatedly: “Scott, even the people who love you and are around you all the time still do not see, feel or need the same things as you.” It actually took me a while to completely learn this, but my mentor was 100% correct. In any relationship, marriage or being a parent, we need to show those around us we love them, the way it is important to them, not the way we think, because chances are, they are two different languages.


Have a great Friday everyone and be blessed.


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