Iāve been to church today and we were read a psalm where it is said (analoguous) donāt think that you are specialā¦ just live in the spirit and act on it.
My first reaction to this was āno, that isnāt true, I know that I am specialā!
This might sound arrogant, but hear me out: I not only believe that I am special, I believe that every human being is special. Each and every one of us has special traits, gifts, skills and is perfectly designed to fulfill a special cause.
So, to my understanding this psalm was saying we shouldnāt feel better than others, and this is true for me. I totally agree with that. We are all the same, no one is better than the other. We all struggle, we all fail ā or in terms of the church we are all sinners. But ā¦ we are also saved. We are also allowed to fail, to sin, to struggle, to fallā¦ as long as we strive for forgiveness and doing better every day, we are saved, and our sins will be forgiven.
Now I am testing myself again on this thought that I am special and have special gifts that were placed inside me to share them. I feel a calling, and I have something inside me that calls me. I still havenāt figured it all out, but what moves me, moves me. And I am acting on it, finally, in the later years of my lifeā¦
I believe there is something like this in everyone. Some may not be able to feel it or hear āa callingā. But most of us do in some shape of form.
I believe that one of my given ātasksā is to encourage others to listen to their inner voice and tap into what is inside of them. Because it took me decades to figure it out for myself, to find the reason why I was miserable even though I had a perfect career path, earned lots of money. My call is to make this process gentler for others, make it less painful and less self-destructive for others than my path has been for a long time.
Our world is not in a state where this is encouraged, the opposite is the case. Our world is supporting the thought that we must follow the lines of a pre-determined lifestyle, strive, and thrive for outcomes that are defined as ādesirableā through societal norms and economic structures.
There are little to no teachings in our school systems about how to connect our body, soul and spirit with the intellectual and physical prerequisites given to us. To listen in and to feel what is the right path for us, to find the right profession and lifestyle. All that we are been taught is how to function best in the given circumstances, which does not mean function for our best, but the best for the ones that are controlling our economy now.
In German the word we use for āprofessionā is āBerufāĀ which embodies the word ācallingā (call = “Ruf”, calling = “Berufung”) ā, but most of us were told from outside which āBerufā is useful or valuable enough to go for, because it is looked at from the perspective of having a good ācareerā. There are several professions considered to be the most desirable. And others are second choice. Some of us may have wanted to do something, felt a calling, a passion, but were ātalked out of itā because our desire doesnāt meet the conditions to guarantee a desirable lifestyle.
While it is important, to look at the fact whether we can make a living out of what we are doing or not, it should also be important to look at the special gifts we have and how they could do that in a way that answers both needs: the need to find their ācallingā, as well as decide on a āprofessionā. When we would look on any child as somebody who has special gifts, special traits, and a special calling, we maybe would find ways to make it work for themā¦
As long as this is not happening in our schools and educational systems, we will always have deeply unsatisfied, unhappy, depressed and lost people, no matter on how far into a career someone might have come or not. Some donāt make it, they fall of the ladder.
But, we live in special times, the world has already changed so much, and there never have been more opportunities and ways to follow our personal, special call than this time.
Through the internet and worldwide connection and interaction we have so many more ways to bring our gifts to the world, think of musicians or artist, who former were totally dependent on agencies or producers to have a chance to be seen or heard. But this goes for any kind of gift one might have. We can bring it to the people, directly, without having to be in a corporate system. We bring it to the people, and they decide if they need it, if they want it, and we exchange our value for money or in exchange for cooperation, services or else we can think of. We have the choice, we can choose!
Yes, you may say I am a dreamer ā but I am not the only one (thank you, John), I truly believe that we are on the edge of something great, an unexpected shift that will change the world.
No, I am not blind against the struggles, the risks and the forces that may stand against this development. But on the other hand, I also believe if the maker has given us the gifts and the powers that we should share with others in his name, that it will happenā but who knows, itās not my task to decide on that. I am working with what Iāve got, in this faith and belief, and one of my ācallingsā is to spread this into your heart, at least try…
Being where you are is not the only way to live, and this is truer the unhappier you might feel now. In fact, feeling unhappy, depressed, disappointed, sad – all these types of emotions are indicators or should be indicators for you to look deeper, and to find your āspecialā inside of you.
You are special. And you deserve to live a life that not only feeds your material needs, but you also deserve a life that fulfills both: your desire for happiness and your desire for āmaking a livingā. Once you realize that and truly understand it in your heart, you will start finding ways to make this true for you.
My gifts, traits, desires and profession lead me to starting build my own business, which is centered around encouraging and helping people to build their own business, too, but this might not be the way for you.
It could be something else, for example to balance out your lifestyle more, to be able to follow your passion in your free time, or to engage in a non-profit cause, or to help other people in various ways.
I just wanted to let you know that you are special, and once you tap into this, you will be able to create a better life for yourself if you are taking action on it!