"Find your calling"

As I have the privilege to teach class 11th and 12th students, almost at the end of the two years, I get some very obvious questions, what do we do next?

Here are a few guidelines that I usually recommend to them to follow to find their calling in life:

1. The biggest mistake that I have seen people making is deciding to do something to make the people around them happy, instead of focusing on their own happiness.

2. Very often, our major decisions of life and career are based on what others think of us, to be very honest not many people are thinking about you, so that must be the last way to find your calling.

3. It is indeed true that some of us have a clarity of what we want to do from the beginning or we are at least made to believe that we are born for this. In majority of the cases, this is not true and therefore you have the choice to explore.

4. Exposing oneself to varied experiences is essential for self discovery, so I usually recommend my students to remain open minded to various experiences or learnings to discover the self.

5. One way to live this varied experience is through reading. Read about philosophy, life, music, sports, art, science, etc., I am sure you will find what is dearest to your heart.

6. Very often the career decisions are based on financial backgrounds and our past relationship with money. I am not saying this is wrong, but that must not be the only reason why you are choosing something. 

7. At some point in our lives we have all experienced the natural flow or we were the happiest in some moments, I ask them to dig deeper into those moments and ask them to find the reason for their genuine happiness in those moments.

8. We are living in a world full of opportunities, following your heart may not often lead to financial fulfilment but can certainly lead to contentment at heart, which is a more fundamental need and decides the nature of your being.

9. The energy that you wake-up with,is decided based on the choice you make. Are you doing your work to just get paid or are you really inspired to wake up every morning to make a difference?

10. Awareness of the self is very essential to know what makes you happy, how well do you know yourself, most often our image of self is painted by the opinions of others. Have you tried knowing the self without the need of approval from others?

11. Unfortunately, our society measures success only in terms of the money that you make, but you have the choice to set your own parameters of success and happiness. Don’t let the world fool you about either of them.

12. Plant the seed of curiosity in your heart and you will enjoy everything you do. Grow out of the rigid mindset to define yourselves by the limitations.

13. Last, but not the least, if you know the world is going to end tomorrow, what is that one thing that will keep you excited?

14. If you had all the money in the world that you wished for, what is that one thing that would prompt you to wake up excited for the day?

15. Answering some or most of these questions with true sincerity will definitely help you in knowing your calling.

16. Remember, happiness is a journey and not the destination. Don’t be mistaken to think “something or someone” can make you happy. Don’t trade your freedom and happiness and become a slave to just earn some extra money.

17. A life well led is more valuable than a life led with luxuries. Money can make your life easier but not your life enjoyable or fulfilling. Remember that it is not about doing extraordinary things but doing the ordinary things in an extraordinary way.

18. Keep your mind and heart open for love and passion, you will surely find your calling.

I hope these steps help you find your calling and may you awaken the true sense of self within you.

Regards

Nupa.