Love this. I used to cringe away from descriptions of riches in stories ( and royalty) and appreciate the wisdom of interpreting these things differently. It returns the stories to you. Also hugely appreciated the book recommendations! Thanks as always Sharon and love to all
I so appreciate all discussions which carry the idea of calling rightly away from a static vocation or singular purpose... not that vocations and purpose can't be awesome forces in our lives. I have come to see each of us as have many callings in our lives~ longings which, as we say yes to and risk following, lead us to an ever-deepening understanding of our gift for the world. At some (magical) point, we look back and see that our greater calling is that gift, threaded through the many, smaller callings we've said yes to along the way. And this gift is a way of being in the world and a kind of sacred task which will come through us alone, and uniquely... Finding / being found by my gift has taken enormous pressure off having to validate my existence with what I do. At the same time, conspiring to live close to my mythos and embody my gift is the most delicious challenge I've ever faced... and the best kind of danger any of us could hope for... Anyway, I love the solid, encouraging way you put things forth, Sharon, and your steadfast commitment to these ideas/truths!
A thought-provoking piece. One of my favorite lines is, "we don’t come here to this world to be safe, but that we come here to risk everything...." I love the distinction of calling apart from purpose or vocation or any other lesser thing. I think this is a vital place for our hearts to come to, to know who we are meant to be, for then we can honestly give out of ourselves to others. This is a good read.
I was willing to risk everything ... almost lost everything too. At the edge of having to live on the streets, no house, no food, no family I could turn too, no future I met my self-hate and having no other option left I opened myself, at night, to listen to the voice that hated my life, my existence.
Deeply trusting another voice. The one of Maya Angelou who was also there and said to me ‘I don’t believe he brought me this far to leave me now’ (‘He’ in the broadest sense and meaning of the word, I have no preference for a religion or God. Love them all).
I let myself be guided by my sense, listening to them, instead of obeying the thoughts that so often take over. What happened eas a conversation between me and the voice, who for the first time very kind and filled with love for me mentioned: ‘You can commit suicide …’
For a moment I was stunned. He ( I believe it was a he) had never presented himself this way. Always harsh and stern or nagging. I decided to let the voice speak and listen to him so he could share his intentions. And so we started a conversation. I asked questions and listened to the answers; not through filling the answers in, but by receiving them, in feelings and clear, plain, gentle thoughts.
I asked if he had any suggestions how I could commit suicide. Some painful options and possibilities came along, but I found them to harmful for my body (which brought me a bittersweet smile, because of the contradiction) or to harmful for the one who would found my body.
Finally the voice and I agreed that taking a bath and cutting my wrists was the kindest possibility. I always loved taking baths. It’s the place where I often go to, to have a conversation with my close friend, Life (which I call God).
I decided to imagine what it would do to me and how it would feel. Soon I felt how my life slowly left my body. And I knew in an instant thís was what the circumstances where telling me, I was slowly losing my life.
By holding on to the option that I could always commit suicide, I was slowly dying from within. I was already committing suicide!
I knew there had to be a need in me that wasn’t fulfilled and kept this voice alive, until I would listen. Then I realized there was a deep need in me, a deep longing and desire to feel safe, secure in my life, in and with myself.
And looking back in my life, I had indeed never felt safe.
It never felt safe to be me; a wonder created by life itself. A divine living human being, who’s finding her way in life with her talents, capabilities, sensitivities and a deep longing and desire to live wholeheartedly her life. To live this awareness and let that be seen and shared.
I took a deep sigh and a tear welled up, in that moment I loved my self-hate, it had brought me this far. And I regained my trust and faith in life itself. Maya Angelou was right and I knew now ‘He would never leave me. I would never leave myself’.
In that moment I loved my life. And I experienced a deep love for everyone who was a part of it, whether I knew them personal or not. They all contributed to this feeling and a new awareness.
After this experience my life slowly started to change, still filled with many challenges.
I read your books Sharon and know how essential it is to embrace our natural aggression.
To risk everything so we can meet the experiences and voices that keep us from living our life.
Our Being. Ours, not theirs. And heal from the idea that we can be erased.
It's impossible to kill a spirit. However we need the stories to re-member. And I would like to thank you wholeheartedly for the work you're doing and the legacy you're creating.
The legend from The Thorn Birds reminds me of Oscar Wilde’s “The Nightingale and The Rose”, a somewhat depressing tale about sacrifice for one’s beliefs. I always wondered if it was the inspiration for the thorn bird legend.
If a calling is about being not doing, is it described using nouns rather than verbs? Or an “I am a” type statement? I’m struggling with how one might articulate a calling.
If it’s helpful to you, I like to think of it more as an “I am the One Who…” type statement. I learned this practice with the animas valley institute, but I know it is a very ancient practice, really, in naming one’s gifts and one’s personal relationships / affiliations with the Land/sacred others/world. I like to get very quiet and then begin to speak this “I am the one who…” and just see what naturally comes tumbling forth. 🙏🏼
I don't see it as a linguistic issue! And verbs can be about being. I always describe it, in extremis, as your own unique way of expressing what it is to be human in this world. The essence of you that shines; the image you came into this world bearing. There will be more on this in a few weeks.
This story is new to me and is so simple yet so profound. Amazing how easily we are lulled into a trace by our perceived needs so that our calling becomes faint or silent.
Rites of passage came to mind when reading your lovely story. What we are lacking as a species today is a rite of passage; a task given by our tribe to test ourselves, become independent from our mother's apron strings and grow into our mature selves. Because this is sadly lacking in our instant gratification world, many of us are still clinging to our childlike thoughts and behaviours, following the herd, and trying to fit in with the biggest tribe. We have lost our way but thankfully, many are waking up to how amazing and magnificent we could actually be, if we just remember.
"CALLING" Not a job you do. But your calling lives in your actions. How you create energy in places that are stagnant and change their course. Forgetting ourselves just enough to remember who we truly are. A journey that can be taken over and over.
What a brilliant and generous sharing of story and life calling, Dr. Blackie! I, too, have been obsessed with my calling over a lifetime and it's good to know that I am not alone in this singular focus. What occurs to me this morning is how challenging it is for a woman to achieve it, to stay true to herself. The extra commitment to risk in a modern world where women's goals are already at risk has caused in me a sense of marginalization. I can seem so freakishly independent to many, even in a progressive culture. But the pearl is worth it. Being connected to Self is blissful and fulfilling, only a breath away. Thank you for knowing and inviting us to join the quest to Self in the world!
So good! Can’t wait to catch up!
Love this. I used to cringe away from descriptions of riches in stories ( and royalty) and appreciate the wisdom of interpreting these things differently. It returns the stories to you. Also hugely appreciated the book recommendations! Thanks as always Sharon and love to all
Ooo - I love this story. Thank you.
I so appreciate all discussions which carry the idea of calling rightly away from a static vocation or singular purpose... not that vocations and purpose can't be awesome forces in our lives. I have come to see each of us as have many callings in our lives~ longings which, as we say yes to and risk following, lead us to an ever-deepening understanding of our gift for the world. At some (magical) point, we look back and see that our greater calling is that gift, threaded through the many, smaller callings we've said yes to along the way. And this gift is a way of being in the world and a kind of sacred task which will come through us alone, and uniquely... Finding / being found by my gift has taken enormous pressure off having to validate my existence with what I do. At the same time, conspiring to live close to my mythos and embody my gift is the most delicious challenge I've ever faced... and the best kind of danger any of us could hope for... Anyway, I love the solid, encouraging way you put things forth, Sharon, and your steadfast commitment to these ideas/truths!
Beautifully put and thank you!
A thought-provoking piece. One of my favorite lines is, "we don’t come here to this world to be safe, but that we come here to risk everything...." I love the distinction of calling apart from purpose or vocation or any other lesser thing. I think this is a vital place for our hearts to come to, to know who we are meant to be, for then we can honestly give out of ourselves to others. This is a good read.
I was willing to risk everything ... almost lost everything too. At the edge of having to live on the streets, no house, no food, no family I could turn too, no future I met my self-hate and having no other option left I opened myself, at night, to listen to the voice that hated my life, my existence.
Deeply trusting another voice. The one of Maya Angelou who was also there and said to me ‘I don’t believe he brought me this far to leave me now’ (‘He’ in the broadest sense and meaning of the word, I have no preference for a religion or God. Love them all).
I let myself be guided by my sense, listening to them, instead of obeying the thoughts that so often take over. What happened eas a conversation between me and the voice, who for the first time very kind and filled with love for me mentioned: ‘You can commit suicide …’
For a moment I was stunned. He ( I believe it was a he) had never presented himself this way. Always harsh and stern or nagging. I decided to let the voice speak and listen to him so he could share his intentions. And so we started a conversation. I asked questions and listened to the answers; not through filling the answers in, but by receiving them, in feelings and clear, plain, gentle thoughts.
I asked if he had any suggestions how I could commit suicide. Some painful options and possibilities came along, but I found them to harmful for my body (which brought me a bittersweet smile, because of the contradiction) or to harmful for the one who would found my body.
Finally the voice and I agreed that taking a bath and cutting my wrists was the kindest possibility. I always loved taking baths. It’s the place where I often go to, to have a conversation with my close friend, Life (which I call God).
I decided to imagine what it would do to me and how it would feel. Soon I felt how my life slowly left my body. And I knew in an instant thís was what the circumstances where telling me, I was slowly losing my life.
By holding on to the option that I could always commit suicide, I was slowly dying from within. I was already committing suicide!
I knew there had to be a need in me that wasn’t fulfilled and kept this voice alive, until I would listen. Then I realized there was a deep need in me, a deep longing and desire to feel safe, secure in my life, in and with myself.
And looking back in my life, I had indeed never felt safe.
It never felt safe to be me; a wonder created by life itself. A divine living human being, who’s finding her way in life with her talents, capabilities, sensitivities and a deep longing and desire to live wholeheartedly her life. To live this awareness and let that be seen and shared.
I took a deep sigh and a tear welled up, in that moment I loved my self-hate, it had brought me this far. And I regained my trust and faith in life itself. Maya Angelou was right and I knew now ‘He would never leave me. I would never leave myself’.
In that moment I loved my life. And I experienced a deep love for everyone who was a part of it, whether I knew them personal or not. They all contributed to this feeling and a new awareness.
After this experience my life slowly started to change, still filled with many challenges.
I read your books Sharon and know how essential it is to embrace our natural aggression.
To risk everything so we can meet the experiences and voices that keep us from living our life.
Our Being. Ours, not theirs. And heal from the idea that we can be erased.
It's impossible to kill a spirit. However we need the stories to re-member. And I would like to thank you wholeheartedly for the work you're doing and the legacy you're creating.
Warmly,
Alja
The legend from The Thorn Birds reminds me of Oscar Wilde’s “The Nightingale and The Rose”, a somewhat depressing tale about sacrifice for one’s beliefs. I always wondered if it was the inspiration for the thorn bird legend.
Oh my goodness – just looked it up and I suspect you're right.
If a calling is about being not doing, is it described using nouns rather than verbs? Or an “I am a” type statement? I’m struggling with how one might articulate a calling.
If it’s helpful to you, I like to think of it more as an “I am the One Who…” type statement. I learned this practice with the animas valley institute, but I know it is a very ancient practice, really, in naming one’s gifts and one’s personal relationships / affiliations with the Land/sacred others/world. I like to get very quiet and then begin to speak this “I am the one who…” and just see what naturally comes tumbling forth. 🙏🏼
Good tip.
I don't see it as a linguistic issue! And verbs can be about being. I always describe it, in extremis, as your own unique way of expressing what it is to be human in this world. The essence of you that shines; the image you came into this world bearing. There will be more on this in a few weeks.
This story is new to me and is so simple yet so profound. Amazing how easily we are lulled into a trace by our perceived needs so that our calling becomes faint or silent.
Rites of passage came to mind when reading your lovely story. What we are lacking as a species today is a rite of passage; a task given by our tribe to test ourselves, become independent from our mother's apron strings and grow into our mature selves. Because this is sadly lacking in our instant gratification world, many of us are still clinging to our childlike thoughts and behaviours, following the herd, and trying to fit in with the biggest tribe. We have lost our way but thankfully, many are waking up to how amazing and magnificent we could actually be, if we just remember.
Beautiful and moving, this wisdom tale. Thank you for reminding us of what we have lost, and what we may regain. xo
Lovely pictures of your place! And I’ve put your reading recommendation on my list!
I so enjoy your newsletters.
"CALLING" Not a job you do. But your calling lives in your actions. How you create energy in places that are stagnant and change their course. Forgetting ourselves just enough to remember who we truly are. A journey that can be taken over and over.
Loving your content here.
Re the Thornbirds - rather than originating with McCullough, might the story have had its origins in Oscar Wilde's The Nightingale and the Rose?
Yes, someone else made that point elsewhere here. You might well be right.
What a brilliant and generous sharing of story and life calling, Dr. Blackie! I, too, have been obsessed with my calling over a lifetime and it's good to know that I am not alone in this singular focus. What occurs to me this morning is how challenging it is for a woman to achieve it, to stay true to herself. The extra commitment to risk in a modern world where women's goals are already at risk has caused in me a sense of marginalization. I can seem so freakishly independent to many, even in a progressive culture. But the pearl is worth it. Being connected to Self is blissful and fulfilling, only a breath away. Thank you for knowing and inviting us to join the quest to Self in the world!
Thank you, Kate. And I suspect that it being challenging is the whole point, don't you?
True! Challenging and exhilarating at the same time. Becoming—on the edges of one's self.