Second Call

 

 

 

"It is never too late

to be what we might have been."

 

George Eliot

 

 

 



At one time, students were required to claim their major in the freshman year.  No matter how sincere the choice may have been, numerous students changed majors mid way, tacking on another year of studies to acquire needed classes.  The same holds true for graduating seniors.  Graduating with a particular major does not determine the field the graduate ends up pursuing.  Those seeking a master or a doctorate are more specific and even then are frequently older students returning to a different field.

Whether we choose to be a mother, priest, teacher, doctor or dentist, makes no difference as these are all labels and not who we are as an individual being.  We might be a rocket scientist, but still have other roles defining the self such as aunt or uncle, father or mother, and sister or brother.  Again, these are all parts of the authentic self, but not the subtle essence of the whole.

In today's world, retirement is simply the beginning of another chapter in life.  Freedom offers new choices ranging from beginning a new second career or seeking to become a Master Gardener.  Men and women alike, find this time to create smaller parts of themselves.  A man may set up a thorough workshop and begin to rekindle his passion for carpentry.  A woman may turn to her original love for teaching piano.  The options are endless:  dance lessons, music lessons, theater, artistic persuasion of every sort, volunteer opportunities or travel.

Seniors will talk about these second careers with fire in their belly.  There is delight in their words and joy in their appearance.  It truly makes me wonder what this person might have become if at first they followed their passion rather than the financial trail.  I am not saying many of us do not carry passion into our original work, but there are those who were discouraged from pursuing an authentic calling. 

If there is something we have always longed to do, make plans to do it.  If we set our minds to the desired task, nothing will block our way.  These second callings can be far more creative in their origin or presentation, entirely decided by our inner voice.  The driving force is not to 'make it in the world', but to honor our essence for simple delight. 

One of our retired presidents has had a very full life of wealth, politics, and responsibilities.  In addition to leading a very vigorous physical life now, he also paints.  It is something he always wanted to do.  Is he particularly good?  Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  Point being, the man is doing something that called to him regardless of what others thought, whether he was good or not.  He is answering his second callings.

If we give our selves quiet time, we will discover what calls to us.  Allow our imagine to run with an idea, to visualize to our heart's content so a future dream can take shape.  The more we nurture our inner desires, the more we will have to offer our community and our world ... just by answering our second call.

(There is a woman who began collecting books for a small town that lost their library.  She has grown a full scale library, building a larger foundation connecting with numerous communities of readers who pass their books along.)

(Their is a man who recruits students from vocational schools in the summer time.  He takes on larger projects when he has the additional help and teaches the students through hands on experience.)

(A church could not support a choir director and did not have leadership within their congregation.  A woman in the community with a music background set up specific boundaries
and donates her time for this choir.)

(A local artist visits an elementary school where her granddaughter attends.  The art department has limited resources, so she brings art alive once per month for all classes, an hour at a time.  Same project for each class, just differing levels of ability.)

(A retired nurse goes to her church one day per month to give seniors an opportunity to have blood pressure taken, etc ...   The opportunity was so highly attended she applied for a grant to expand her offerings.)

If we give our selves permission to kindle our heart's desire, we only need to get out of our way!  Remember this second calling can be a very small pleasure just for our selves.  Secure a date once per week to go to a library, museum, or our own backyard to sketch!  Just do it!