Is Your Calling Changing? Here’s How to Choose Between Safety and Greatness.
Finding the Courage to Embrace Change When Your Path Takes a Turn.
Have you ever felt the ground shake beneath your feet—not from an earthquake but from a “change deep within you”? One day everything you knew felt right, steady, familiar. The next day, there’s a fire, an aching, and you start to question it. You try to shake it off, but the feeling is relentless. It isn’t just a whisper; it’s a roar. “Is this still where I belong?
How is this possible? You thought you were set. You thought you knew your calling—the one thing you’d put your time, soul, and heart into. But now, doubt percolates in the pit of your stomach. And why? Because something else is pulling you. Something that doesn’t make sense…not at first.
Maybe it’s fear of change that makes us question that shift. Maybe it’s because we’re so tied up in what we do that we mistake it for who we are. And let’s be real, who wants to let go of being excellent at something? It’s a safety net. It’s comforting.
I remember my grandmother, wise and full of contradictions that only grandmothers can be. She once said to me, “Honey, just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you have to do it.” She knew the difference between identity and action. It’s a memory that echoes now, with every second spent wondering, “What do I do next?”
The truth? We fear the unknown more than change itself. It’s the leap into an abyss with no bottom in sight that stops “most of us”. We cling to the safety of what we know, even when something greater is calling.
Techniques for Tackling Indecision:
1. The Classic Pros and Cons List: As old-school as it sounds, this tool can cut through the “mental noise”. Write down all the benefits and drawbacks of staying where you are versus making the leap. It won’t give you the answer, but it will help illuminate the weight of your options.
2. Sit in Stillness: Schedule uninterrupted time for quiet. Meditate, pray, or just breathe deeply. This isn’t a luxury; it’s essential. Your gut instinct often speaks the loudest when your mind finally quiets down.
3. Reflect on Your “Why”: Go deeper than surface-level fears. Why did you choose your current path in the first place? What has shifted within you? Understanding and clarifying your “why” will reveal if it still resonates or if a new chapter is calling.
4. Visualize Both Futures: Picture yourself in a year if nothing changes. Then picture the alternate path. Which scenario feels more alive? Many times, the body gives you answers before your mind does.
5. The 24-Hour Rule: When a new direction feels daunting, give yourself 24 hours where you mentally commit to this new path without overanalyzing. Experience the sense of freedom it brings. Then, reflect on how that felt. Did it spark excitement or dread?
6. Seek Wise Counsel: There’s strength in seeking input from those you trust—mentors, friends, or even spiritual guides. Their outside perspective can help illuminate aspects you might not see.
Here’s the kicker: what if this pull you feel isn’t “just you”? Steps to Take Towards That Greatness Once You’ve Decided