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Editor: Teresa Proudlove Issue #005 October 27, 2004

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Table of Contents

1. What is My Calling?

2. More Clarity Please!

3. Slender Threads at Work

4. You Know Your Truth

What is My Calling?

Over the past six weeks I have completed facilitating two “new” programs. One program was designed to help managers learn supervisory/leadership skills and the other program helps people feel more confident and competent in teaching/facilitating groups of people. The experience has been challenging, exciting, (stressful at times) and very fulfilling for me.

Taking on this new work has led me to ask if I want to pursue teaching in the corporate world and further more, “What really is my calling?” “Ah!” You exclaim, “Surely, the career ‘guru’ knows her path!” Truthfully, upon looking back, I was seeking my direction when I began “Yourlifework.” And if I dare look back even further I see I have been seeking “My Way” all my life.

Driving through fog all of my life – never really being clear on my calling – was a dispiriting thought. Thankfully, I was able to remind myself this journey is not blind. Sign posts arrive at the crossroads and - for the most part - I know with certainty if I continue driving, this path will lead me to my destination despite the fog. But wait, I would like more clarity please!

More Clarity Please!

Do any of us really have complete clarity about our life calling? Even those of us with the knowingness we must teach, write or sing are often asking, “What direction am I to go, now?” Richard Bolles, author of “What Color is My Parachute?” and the granddaddy of the employment industry says, when people are asked what they would like to do they often respond with “I don’t know.” Richard Bolles maintains this is because they are interpreting the question to be “What am I going to do with the rest of my life?”

The question is too big, too daunting, immobilizing people. Instead of worrying ourselves with not having the answer to our career/path questions (that perhaps, can only be revealed as we grow into them) what if we more simply looked for the slender threads?

Slender Threads at Work

As Robert Johnson, says in “Balancing Heaven and Earth,” slender threads are about “being in a particular place at just the right time, meeting someone who steers you in an unforeseen direction, the unexpected appearance of work or money or inspiration just when they are most needed… Whether called fate, destiny or the hand of God, slender threads are at work… weaving the remarkable tapestry of our lives.”

Tuesday morning I wrote in my journal, “If we had the money to retire right now with all of our needs abundantly met for life; what would I be doing with my free time? How would I enjoy contributing?”

That very night I ‘happened’ across an interview with Alanis Morissette on Much Music. Strangely enough; I watch little TV, dislike what I’ve glimpsed of Much Music, and I do not listen to Alanis Morissette’s music. Yet, quickly captured by Alanis’s words, I watched the one hour interview with her which helped clarify my longing for more direction. Ah, slender threads at work!

Alanis attributed her enormous success to her willingness to be as transparent and authentic as she possibly can. By freely expressing herself, her truths – however frightening and humbling – Alanis said she gives people the courage to freely express their selves.

By accepting all aspects of herself including “the good and the bad,” Alanis spoke of how she has become more integrated, whole, and authentic. She is comfortable in her own skin. Being whole – with all of our short-falls is so much more freeing than working hard to always look good. Through allowing herself to be wholly alive and authentic, Alanis spoke of learning to love the human condition and having compassion for us all.

Closely living this transparent, authenticity resonates deeply in my soul. It is here we are our most vulnerable, compassionate and real. It is here we learn to trust who we are. What a precious reminder for me, after having spent too many weeks, trying too hard, to teach material in a manner that was not my truth.

You Know Your Truth

When Alanis was asked how she comes up with song-writing ideas, she said she rereads her personal journals to find her truth and direction. What a pearl for us all! We can all reconnect with our truth, our calling and direction through revisiting our journals. If you do not write a journal now would be good time to start.

Alanis inspired me to re-read my journal and the ‘theme’ of my life was readily apparent. My constant quest for a deeper understanding of myself, the human condition and of God is always there. Clearly, this lifeblood of mine must be the foundation of all that I do whether I work in the employment field or leadership arena.

Why would I look any further or outside of myself to discover my direction? We know it in ourselves if we would but nurture the expression of it rather than squelching it or adamantly sticking with, “I don’t know.”

Let us learn to trust that we know what we want to do even if it does not seem readily apparent.

Through these simple acts of trusting ourselves, listening to ourselves,journaling and looking for the slender threads weaving our lives, we nurture the relationship with our deeper self. Herein, we learn to author our own lives and live with authenticity and inner authority.

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Reminders Remember to click refresh as you revisit yourlifework.com as I am always editing, re-writing and adding.

Remember: Be gentle with yourself. Listen to your guidance. Navigate through life and work with more peace and acceptance.

So, my friend, thank your for your time. I hope you enjoyed this e-zine and found it useful. I look forward to hearing from you. So, until next month’s issue…

Warmest regards,

Teresa