Oprah said on her farewell show last week that a calling “lights you up and it lets you know that you are exactly where you’re supposed to be, doing exactly what you’re supposed to be doing.”
Other words of wisdom from her farewell show:
“Live from the heart of yourself.”
“Know what sparks the life in you so that you in your own way can illuminate the world.”
“Carry forward whatever it is you’re supposed to be doing. Don’t waste any more time. Start embracing the life that is calling you and use your life to serve the world.”
“Carry forward whatever it is you’re supposed to be doing. Don’t waste any more time. Start embracing the life that is calling you and use your life to serve the world.”
Yes, I paused the show and ran for my computer so I could write this advice down!
I obviously think that spending most of my time with my daughter is what I am supposed to be doing, at least for now. I feel that spark Oprah mentioned when I’m taking pictures of beauty, usually in nature. Who knows if it could grow into a career someday, but I feel such excitement about it and it fills me up so much that I don’t need anything more. I love noticing the veins of a flower petal or the intense detail in a leaf, especially through a macro lens. I have discovered so much of the natural world that was there all along, but to which I was blind.“Live from the heart of yourself” reminds me to trust my instincts, to believe in my own capabilities and let them shine. Our move into town is one example of that. It just feels right for our family, and I spoke up and took action to make it happen. I am even more excited for our day to day life now.
A friend and mentor asked me years ago, in a car trip to DC to lobby our state officials, what would make me look back and declare my life to be a success. I was stumped. At the time, I was trying to change the world in a big way. At 24, I had no clue about the fulfillment ahead of me through a happy marriage and the birth of my sweet daughter.
I will continue to think about what my true calling is. For now, I am proud of the small piece I’m responsible for: with my daughter, my self, my family, and the world we all live in.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. I’d also like to recommend this article that Tara Sophia Mohr wrote for The Huffington Post last week about how to go about figuring out what your calling might be.
