Traditionally, I am not a big hat person. So when we went to Ireland for vacation this year, the last thing I ever expected to buy was a hat. Maybe a new pair of gloves or a wool blanket—but not a hat. Only, that is what happened.
One morning, on our way to Dingle, Tony and I stopped in the charming thatched roof town of Adare. I needed a cup of coffee, and it was a good place to take a break from driving. We found a parking spot, and then a cup of cappuccino for me, before moseying down the road. As Tony began taking photo’s of the thatched roof cottages, I spotted a tiny little gift shop just down the way. We stepped inside and began to look around.
In the back of the shop was a little room of women’s clothing. Most of it wasn’t my style. But as I turned to my right, there on the shelf were a row of all these lovely hats. Flapper hats, they’re called. In Tartan Tweed, they came in a variety of colors, but my eye went immediately to the green one. I looked over my shoulder and spotted a mirror.
I put the hat on, and I was in love.
It fit me perfectly. And though, I would swear to you that I am not a hat person—this one feels like it was made for me. Needlessly to say, we didn’t leave Adare without it.
There are times, we find something that fits us in the most unexpected of places, in the most unexpected way. Something, we didn’t know we wanted or even needed. It can be this way when we find our calling.
Finding our calling is a journey that looks different for each of us. Yet when we’ve discovered it, there are usually some tell-tale signs that we’ve found what we’ve been looking for. Only because they may not be what we expect—or what others think we should do—we doubt. We may even push it aside for a while, afraid of what will happen if we embrace it.
Today, I want to share with you a few tell-tale signs that you have found your calling. I also want to encourage you that if any of the following sound familiar, pay attention. Don’t miss out on doing the thing you were made to do, or becoming who you were made to be. Life is too short, and the world needs you to do your thing.
Your Face Lights Up When You Talk About It
When I first started volunteering in ministry, it was all I talked about. After a night at church, I would come back to my college campus and tell my friends about it. Often, they would just sit there with a funny smile on their faces, until I asked them why they were looking at me like that. One time a friend said, “Because your whole face lights up whenever you talk about the students you’re serving.” When you find your calling, it will light you up inside.
You don’t see problems, you see challenges.
When you are in the zone of what you’re supposed to do, struggles will come up as they always do. BUT, they won’t deter you. In fact in many cases they will push you to keep going, figure out solutions, and become more of who you’re meant to be.
You love showing up.
Remember when you were in school, and you had to drag yourself out of bed to get there? Yea, this doesn’t happen as much. Not that you won’t have off days, but for the most part you want to be doing your thing. You get excited every time you walk through the door.
You don’t sweat the small stuff.
Finding your calling has giving you a broader perspective of the world and your role in it. So you’re less likely to get caught up in drama, gossip, or everyday annoyances. Little things that used to bother you don’t seem as important. You’re focused, and it feels good.
You feel joy and fulfillment.
Whether your calling looks like a job, volunteer role, or hobby right now, you feel a sense of both accomplishment and gratification. And this joy spills over into every other part of your life.
Have you felt any of these things?
If so, what were you doing when you felt them?
If not, what things do you need to do to experience them?
Have I told you that I offer an eight week coaching module to help people not only discover their calling, but also better understand their identity and career path as well? Click here to find out more.
Are you in the midst of making a hard decision? Contemplating a big life change? If so, you may be interested in my FREE Making Changes Checklist that I give to all my email friends. Want your free copy? subscribe here.
