The Prelude to Middlemarch is haunting on this topic—how many would-be St Theresas are out there, yearning & seeking but never having found the one thing that sets their hearts on fire?
I think the lesson of that novel is somewhat different though.
"Her finely touched spirit had still its fine issues, though they were not widely visible. Her full nature, like that river of which Cyrus broke the strength, spent itself in channels which had no great name on the earth. But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs."
Yes, and many in the novel *do* have their vocations, but nevertheless struggle profoundly in their lives. I do love the Prelude’s statement of the problem, though.
This is so insightful and just brilliant (and gives me hope) and a lot to think about. I love how you separate calling from success from motivation from goals. I think we tend to conflate at lot of those in different ways. I’m sharing this with my friends. Thank you.
Do you think callings make sense only if you have a framework for meaning? And that for some, especially in the absence of God, that can only come when they’re a lot older? As @robertwalrod mentions, ‘calling’ has a religious connection, such as Paul on the road to Damascus. Your quote suggests that Bryan J. Dik and Ryan D. Duffy have replaced God with “the common good.” I wonder, do you think late bloomers somehow come to a personal understanding of meaning, but maybe the type of meaning they reconcile themselves to meant that could only come later, almost as a form of resignation? Audrey Sutherland, for example, did all her stuff solo, but wrote about it; perhaps meaning for her came from writing and hoping to inspire others as she reconciled herself to coping with the limitations of old age. I almost get the feeling from what you’ve said on Fitzgerald that she just got to the point where she was like, ‘sod it I need the money, why not this?’, perhaps a form of meaning that is only possible when you get a bit older?!
Sometimes yes but the bigger point is that a calling might be developed through small discoveries rather than a big all encompassing identity of the religious sort
He presents it all in a much more matter-of-fact, left-brained manner, but this reminds me of Cal Newport’s “So Good They Can’t Ignore You,” wherein he argues that “follow your passion” is stupid advice. A successful and fulfilling career is built out of having rare and valuable skills. It’s much more sensible to follow your aptitude and a vision for what kind of lifestyle you want to live when making decisions about career/vocation. If you want to write but you’re not remarkably good at it, pursue a career that will provide for your material needs while also giving you time to write.
I'm curious -- are there any examples of people whose callings really did arrive like revelations, who had experiences like Paul on the road to Damascus?
A great piece that I can identify with wholeheartedly. I've been interested in writing for decades, but it was a slow train coming. After many jobs across multiple career fields (including military/gov't civilian) and 55 years in the workforce, I finally fulfilled my calling when I retired last year. Now I write 2 Substacks which focus on personal transformation (through essays and stories), primarily in mid-life, but really at every stage. I have seen Second Act, but I think I will purchase it now as a resource for my writing. Thanks for this essay and book review.
The Prelude to Middlemarch is haunting on this topic—how many would-be St Theresas are out there, yearning & seeking but never having found the one thing that sets their hearts on fire?
I think the lesson of that novel is somewhat different though.
"Her finely touched spirit had still its fine issues, though they were not widely visible. Her full nature, like that river of which Cyrus broke the strength, spent itself in channels which had no great name on the earth. But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs."
Yes, and many in the novel *do* have their vocations, but nevertheless struggle profoundly in their lives. I do love the Prelude’s statement of the problem, though.
This is so insightful and just brilliant (and gives me hope) and a lot to think about. I love how you separate calling from success from motivation from goals. I think we tend to conflate at lot of those in different ways. I’m sharing this with my friends. Thank you.
Glad to hear it! :)
Do you think callings make sense only if you have a framework for meaning? And that for some, especially in the absence of God, that can only come when they’re a lot older? As @robertwalrod mentions, ‘calling’ has a religious connection, such as Paul on the road to Damascus. Your quote suggests that Bryan J. Dik and Ryan D. Duffy have replaced God with “the common good.” I wonder, do you think late bloomers somehow come to a personal understanding of meaning, but maybe the type of meaning they reconcile themselves to meant that could only come later, almost as a form of resignation? Audrey Sutherland, for example, did all her stuff solo, but wrote about it; perhaps meaning for her came from writing and hoping to inspire others as she reconciled herself to coping with the limitations of old age. I almost get the feeling from what you’ve said on Fitzgerald that she just got to the point where she was like, ‘sod it I need the money, why not this?’, perhaps a form of meaning that is only possible when you get a bit older?!
I don’t know if PF needed the money or not really, hard to tell. As with Sutherland I think she just felt compelled to do it.
Sometimes yes but the bigger point is that a calling might be developed through small discoveries rather than a big all encompassing identity of the religious sort
I really look forward to reading Second Act. Bravo
🙌
He presents it all in a much more matter-of-fact, left-brained manner, but this reminds me of Cal Newport’s “So Good They Can’t Ignore You,” wherein he argues that “follow your passion” is stupid advice. A successful and fulfilling career is built out of having rare and valuable skills. It’s much more sensible to follow your aptitude and a vision for what kind of lifestyle you want to live when making decisions about career/vocation. If you want to write but you’re not remarkably good at it, pursue a career that will provide for your material needs while also giving you time to write.
I'm curious -- are there any examples of people whose callings really did arrive like revelations, who had experiences like Paul on the road to Damascus?
Oh sure, history is full of them, but not everyone will have such a calling and waiting for it can be a mistake.
A great piece that I can identify with wholeheartedly. I've been interested in writing for decades, but it was a slow train coming. After many jobs across multiple career fields (including military/gov't civilian) and 55 years in the workforce, I finally fulfilled my calling when I retired last year. Now I write 2 Substacks which focus on personal transformation (through essays and stories), primarily in mid-life, but really at every stage. I have seen Second Act, but I think I will purchase it now as a resource for my writing. Thanks for this essay and book review.