Callings are to be heard

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 29 Apr 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

DeLani	29 Apr 2003
I'm not sure this is the right forum, so feel free to move it... I've been going through a sort of "mid-life" crisis lately, just turned 30, and VERY unhappy with my life. Nothing I've worked on up till now has worked out, not family or career. So I've done several readings around this topic, and they all seem to suggest that my true life's calling is being a crusader for compassion, like a social justice activist. Which I have done in the past, and loved. But the reason why I couldn't, and can't, do it anymore, is because of money. Being an activist doesn't pay the bills. How can I follow my life's calling and not be homeless? Does anyone have any ideas or input? Anyone else going through a similar problem? Thanks for your help, DeLani

allibee	29 Apr 2003
you don't have to be a 'physical' activist ..... you could write a book, articles, build a website, a web group, paint provoking scenes, sell them on ebay ..... all in your spare time, all in your own home. Mighty oaks from little acorns grow Allison

Minderwiz	29 Apr 2003
Some good ideas there from Allibee - see if there are any local groups you can join - even if you only participate when work permits you can still make an important contribution. Its one of the sad facts of life that we often need jobs we don't like to support the hobbies, pastimes and activities that do bring spiritual rewards. Set yourself a target of say working for the next 10 years but gradually beginning to be more and more active outside work. Save hard, see if you have talents which you can develop that will eventually bring in some income and when you feel you can let these talents take over then use your savings to launch your own new lifestyle. In the mean time keep those activities going and keep contributing to sites like this.

Alex	30 Apr 2003
DeLani My life started crumbling down when I was 30 as well_it that helps you not feel alone. First, it was my marriage; then, poverty due to divorce and single parenting. I have managed to keep my studies going though. Sometimes I don't even know why I insist on it, but I got to graduate, for god's sake. What is your profession? Do you have college education? What do you do? It is hard to give an oppinion when we don't know what the other does. Alex. Quote: Originally posted by DeLani I'm not sure this is the right forum, so feel free to move it... I've been going through a sort of "mid-life" crisis lately, just turned 30, and VERY unhappy with my life. Nothing I've worked on up till now has worked out, not family or career. So I've done several readings around this topic, and they all seem to suggest that my true life's calling is being a crusader for compassion, like a social justice activist. Which I have done in the past, and loved. But the reason why I couldn't, and can't, do it anymore, is because of money. Being an activist doesn't pay the bills. How can I follow my life's calling and not be homeless? Does anyone have any ideas or input? Anyone else going through a similar problem? Thanks for your help, DeLani

Silverwings	30 Apr 2003
Hey this message was to be posted with Delani's thread, I kinda messed up. I come from a family of activists of a sort. Let me tell you sometimes if it is really your calling, there is security to be had. Take a look at the issues that are really tugging at your heart. I would suggest starting out part time donating your time and things pick up when work is being done. Continue to think about the earthly things that need to be taken care of as well. There is such a fine balance...but don't get yourself too grounded.

DeLani	30 Apr 2003
Hi Alex, That's a good point, that it would be helpful to know what I do normally. I have a college education, majored in Journalism/minor Anthropology (my dream was to write for National Geographic) :} But I've been unable to finish my degree due to time and money constraints. I have some work experience in editing, page layout, and writing - even a little graphic design - but haven't been able to find work in 2 yrs. In trying to figure out why my life sux so much, I have come to the realization that it is because I'm not doing what I'm supposed to do. Which brings me to here. Alibee, you have some great suggestions. I do volunteer occasionally at a local peace organization, and I usually enjoy it. But the ratio of enjoyment/misery in my life is totally unacceptable. I wish I could be a travel writer...

cricket	30 Apr 2003
Quote: Originally posted by DeLani I have a college education, majored in Journalism/minor Anthropology (my dream was to write for National Geographic) :} *snip* I wish I could be a travel writer... Well, why can't you be a travel writer? There's nothing stopping you IF you can get ahold of the right people. You said yourself that you have some experience. Make up a resume highlighting your experience and education pertaining to this, then get in contact with a variety of travel and/or National Geographic type publications. You might be able to wheel and deal a chance to finish your education. Somebody might be willing to pay at least tuition (if not everything) for the remainder of your education in exchange for a little extra work on the side or a contract stating that you work for them for X amount of time at X salary, or whatever. If that doesn't work, there's always the choice to just take off and do it. Is there anything keeping you where you're at? If not, pack up a backpack, grab a couple of journals (the five-subject cheapie notebooks are wonderful), and go. Pitch a tent when you can to save money, work odd jobs for a day or two at a few places, see if you can trade a day's work for meals and a place to sleep, whatever it takes. By the end of a month or two somebody's bound to be interested in the story of it all.

amyel	01 May 2003
De Lani, in light of Cricket's response, I felt compelled to write about a lady in my community who did what she needed to do. In fact, I can give you two examples. Example #1: Diane Stuemer Diane Stuemer's husband had a dream to sail around the world. After Diane successfully survived cancer, they decided to follow the dream. Diane grew up on the prairies; she wasn't a sailor, but she got caught up in her husband's dream. They rented their house, bought a sailboat, and set out with their three sons - (at the time, the boys were like 5, 8 & 10) and set sail around the world. Along the way, her emails and letters home were sent to the attention of the editors at the Ottawa Citizen newspaper (which is online), and eventually turned into a weekly article about their adventures. They had so many remarkable experiences, among them sponsoring a family in Africa and a wildlife reserve on Borneo (I think it was Borneo). They sailed for over 4 years, homeschooling their sons on the boat and stopping, when appropriate, for extended times in countries like Australia. When the family returned to Ottawa, over 1000 people met them on the dock. She turned her articles and more into a book called "Northern Magic" (the name of their boat), and was often a guest speaker at a variety of events across Canada. Sadly, Diane's cancer returned as aggressive melonoma which had spread by the time it was discovered, and she died earlier this year. But I bring her up as my first example of a person who took a deep breath and followed a dream that lead to something deeply meaningful for her. Example #2: My friend J. My friend J. was a high school music teacher who burnt out badly with the Ontario education reforms...(don't get me started!!!!). During her last couple of years as a teacher, she got involved in an African drumming & dance troupe called Akpokli. She also did a two year post-graduate diploma in Arts Administration (to go with her B.Mus & B.Ed). The summer beteen her final two years as a teacher, she went with Akpokli to Ghana, West Africa to learn from some drumming masters, and it was a life changing experience for her. She spent one final year as a teacher before she took the plunge and decided to quit with no other means of support. She is now probably the only other "full time" member of Akpokli, apart from the creators of the troupe, and may or may not draw a small salary as a result (we never talk $$ because it depresses her). But whatever she's doing, she has managed an average of two trips a year to Ghana, and this year, teach others who come to the village to learn drumming. She was always a fairly, um, high stung person, who worried worse then me (this takes *major* worrying!!!). Since her trips and involvement with other activities she loves, she has become a much more relaxed person who enjoys life. _____________________________________ Upon re-reading these two examples, it seems that each only found new balance and creative release by taking major trips. But there is another common theme here and that is the one where each decided to follow a dream and worry about the practical logistics later. Now, I'm certain that both did a fair bit of thinking and managing and maybe even preparing their lives in order to support these changes - but the fact is, as some point they stopped putting obstacles in their ways and went for it! Diane was probably in her 40's when she embarked on this adventure with her family; my friend J was only in her 30's. When things seems overwhelmingly depressing to me, I remember these two individuals - and others in my life - who found the courage to follow their dreams. So please, DeLani, don't put obstacles in your own way - they'll find their way to hamper your path all by themselves! I am certain being a traveller writer, for example, has nothing to do with whether or not you have a degree and more to do with whether or not you are a good writer! Be Brave. (words I have to continually remind myself of, BTW).

cricket	01 May 2003
As amyel pointed out, things like that usually do take some amount of planning and preparation. Not everybody's as crazy as I am and will just GO. :D Something that might help during the preparation and planning stage would be to make out an itinerary. Just off the top of my head here, assuming somebody would be travelling on foot starting at about this time next year: this summer: do some research into possible areas to travel get the 'big stuff' together - ie hiking backpack, lightweight sleeping bag, hiking boots, etc. start search for check-in person (available to get ahold of every day or two) this fall/winter: start arranging placement of large household items (furniture and appliances) for safekeeping more research into areas, narrow down choices if needed, research what might be needed for certain areas start gathering the 'smaller stuff' if possible, start making arrangements for keeping housing available (if renting) early spring: check, double-check, triple check all equipment and necessities pare everything down to absolute necessities make arrangements for pets/plants double check arrangements for everything else - get signed documents if needed Like I said, that was just off the top of my head. I haven't done anything like that in a number of years, so I know there are obvious things I'm forgetting, but you get the idea. The most important thing is to be prepared and to keep in touch with your check-in person. They should be able to let the authorities know your general whereabouts and condition if you fail to get in touch with them after a certain amount of time.

DeLani	01 May 2003
Oh, everyone, such wonderful suggestions...I only wish I could take them. I can't just pack up and go for more than a couple of days. I must pay $75 every week in child support, and $105 every two weeks car payment. I am cleaning houses now, and just barely making enough money to cover those expenses. My dear hubby works full time and pays the other bills. I am so lucky to have him. Perhaps in another 6 yrs., when my son is 18 and I don't have to pay child support, and the car is paid off, I will travel around the world. In fact, I'm pretty sure I will. I'm just not sure how to keep my head above water financially, not to mention my sanity, until then. Right now I am very much trying to find a way to strike out on a short camping trip to the Gulf Coast for a little R & R to get my head together. I don't know how the money will materialize, but I'm not giving up hope. Those two women sound so courageous. I can't wait until I'm free...

Butterfly	02 May 2003
It's hard to practice abundance when you really don't feel like you have it. this site has some wonderful ideas on building abundance conciousness. I'd recommend that these ideas can change your life. If you let them of course ;) http://www.accessabundance.com/home.asp

zorya	02 May 2003
how about starting by writing about places close to you...places right in your area and day trips for the weekend traveler. you might want to start researching to find places to submit such articles.

Diana	02 May 2003
zorya's idea is wonderful. A young guy in the town where I live loved wandering around our town and the area we live in, and the surrounding countryside. He published a short book, called "Wonderful walks around your town", or something like that. He had explored every nook and cranny. Every courtyard. Every little country road. He wrote down the itineraries, got a small loan to publish the book and set himself up in the street on market day with a little stand. They sold like hot-cakes. He has now written four or five other books on the same theme. Even though one can now find his books in the book-stores, one still finds him regularly at the market place with his books spread on a blanket chatting to people and sharing his enthusiasm. The great thing about his book is that no car is needed. One can get to all the starting points by bus and return by bus. So not only the richer people buy the book. You could research the history of the interesting buildings. Unusual things that happened. Murders, or excentric people. You could start researching in your street. Find out who lived there, did they have any interesting lives, or whatever. Start a weekly column in the local newspaper called "My street". And then you could research the street next to yours, and next to that one................

Moongold	02 May 2003
Delani, Can't add anything to other people' suggestions about writing per se BUT Do you have a camera? The things that people are talking about are often much richer if they are illustrated. Local stories particularly. Also, do you have the equivalent if our neighbourhood houses and community centres? Perhaps you could TEACH creative writing there and earn some extra money. In Australia, it's possible to teach classes in most things at neighbourhood houses if you have the skill and enthusiasm. Moongold

The Callings are to be heard thread was originally posted on 29 Apr 2003 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.