The Course, the Cause, the Calling

Many individuals are unsure if they are on the right course.

Confusion arises when we don’t listen to our intuition, and instead do what others expect of us. We end up conforming to familial or societal norms, or doing what we think equates to success in the form of material achievement.

In short, we succumb to a sort of peer pressure. In doing so we betray ourselves for the sake of others. We put the needs of others before our own. This is why it is so important to know ourselves and our needs intimately when assisting others in life.

For the past six years I’ve worked in the public service. I allowed myself to drift into an area I wasn’t passionate about. Once I realised it was time to serve the private individual, this blog was born. The source of happiness is service to self, others, and society (S.O.S.).

Live to serve. Find your calling by identifying your cause through service to your self and others. Your cause is what drives you and gives you greater meaning in your life. Your cause is often your reason for being. It’s your soul-food. It aligns with your Why (see Simon Sinek's 'Start with Why').

In a plane we are told to fit our own oxygen masks first. In life, we must serve our basic needs first to have the capacity to serve others. This may sound selfish, but it is necessary to help others. Rather than feeding your ego, it's operating with positive intent.

To save our souls we need to serve ourselves, and those within our close circles. Once we are adept at these two areas, we can move to the higher objective, service to society. Some in this category may identify as counsellors, advocates or activists.

Service to greater society is sometimes called acting in the public interest. Indeed, this is at the heart of legal systems. A lawyer’s duty is to the court first, not the client or self. There is an internal struggle between serving one’s own interest versus the publics.

Simon says, 'true leaders are willing to pay the price: sacrifice self-interest and put their Cause ahead of themselves.' He gives the example of soldiers who are willing to die for their fellow soldiers, their country and for freedom.

Our default setting as human beings tends to be self-preservation. We should constantly test this default setting by questioning our own actions. Why am I doing this? Who does it serve? Does it serve others? Does it serve the ‘greater good’? Am I acting from fear?

We must distinguish between self-preservation and self-interest. We must learn to discern between what is best for us versus others and society. Our fight or flight instinct often kicks in when there is no actual danger, but rather, a perceived threat.

Discernment is the ability to choose what is appropriate at a given point in time. It tells us if we are being a doormat or a doorman. It guides us towards the truth. When there is a lot of ‘noise’ it’s easy to become confused. Allow actions to speak louder than words.

If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for everything. Help or hinder. Sink or swim.

When you identify your cause or causes, you will find your calling. Once our life course is set, it can be difficult to correct. Your cause is your compass. It helps you to course-correct towards your true calling. Often the journey starts with a process of elimination.

Eliminate or remove the distractions or parts of your life that don’t serve you to reveal those that do. Search for the clues around you to identify whether you are on the course to your calling. If a course correction is called for, pay attention to the signs.

At first, you’ll see red lights, then stop signs, then giant wrecking balls until you pay heed! Everyday experiences and items will take on a symbolic meaning in a secret language that speaks to you. When you are in Sync you exist in a state of flow.

When in Sync you are getting green lights in life. There is abundance, queues cease to exist. The usual impediments disappear. Opportunities arrive at your doorstep unexpectedly. Synchronicity is at work. The planets align for you.

You are swimming with the current, not fighting against it. You thrive. Sync… and swim.

That is not to say there will not be challenges along the way, far from it. Pack a life-preserver! Your ability to address those challenges signals whether you are willing to continue despite adversity. Overcoming challenges produces satisfaction.

Ask yourself, what makes you tick? What impression to you give others? What are you passionate about? What drives you? When do you feel fulfilled? If you are stuck in a rut, start serving to find your calling. Service can be as simple as a random act of kindness.

Live to serve to be in Sync.

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