"Mr. Holland's Opus" inspired me to want to teach music. I've desired to be a teacher, a band instructor, for the longest time. I'm not a band instructor. But I do teach.
My vocation is to be a lifelong learner and teacher.
To be able to solve problems, help people see their fullest potential, to help people find meaning in their life requires me to be a learner. Every day, I read books and listen to podcasts to support my education. I do this, because learning is a spiritual, high, and dare I say - religious, calling. No one asked me to be a learner. I am this way because life shaped me this way. It's part of who I am. Equal to being a learner, I consider myself a teacher.
I'm not a teacher, or instructor, in the classroom sense; that ship sailed (no pun intended). I am a teacher in that I am a man for others. I use my gifts, knowledge, and talents to serve others in need. My resolve to share what I've learned could be a result of my faith, the all-boys Catholic high school I attended taught us to be "men for others," it could also be that everyone in my life that meant something, freely and generously gave of themselves to me. I've seen the benefits in this way of being. I want to be that way for another person.
This entry is the last in a series of three regarding jobs, careers, and vocations. I used to have a career. I enjoyed it. It changed, and now I have a job. But in having a job, I'm able to participate in something much bigger than myself - my vocation. I am finding fulfillment in my life as it is now.
For you, determine where you are in life. When it's time to leave this life, you won't be thinking about the jobs you held or the career you made. Instead, you might be thinking of how you've changed the lives of others for the better. That's your vocation.
Find something that makes you come alive and do it!
Inspiration for this article came from a video by Elizabeth Gilbert. The video is part of a series produced by Plus Acumen. You can easily access the course here: http://bit.ly/Livewithoutfear.