Summary

Kathy Young-Deegan reads John Donahue's poem 'For the Traveler', which she relates to exploring the road of calling. The poem discusses the sacred nature of journeys, the importance of mindful travel, and the transformative power of new experiences. Through poetic verses, it emphasizes the significance of preparing oneself spiritually and emotionally before embarking on a journey, and the potential for personal growth and transformation that travel offers.

Highlights

Introduction to 'For the Traveler' Poem

Kathy introduces John Donahue's poem 'For the Traveler', connecting it to the exploration of personal calling. She emphasizes how the poem serves as a metaphor for spiritual and personal journeys.

The Sacred Nature of Journey and Inner Preparation

The poem describes how travel brings a new silence and encourages listening to one's heart. It emphasizes the sacred nature of journeys and the importance of blessing one's departure, freeing the heart from burden, and allowing the soul's compass to guide toward spiritual territories.

Mindful Travel and Return

The final verses focus on the importance of traveling with awareness and wisdom, making use of transformative opportunities along the way. It concludes with wishes for safe travel, meaningful experiences, and returning home enriched and better able to appreciate life's ongoing journey.

Summary

This episode of "Coping" covers what a calling is, and debunks three major misconceptions about it. Kathy and Kevin discuss that calling isn't just for certain people but is universal, and it doesn't always manifest as a clear, dramatic moment. They discuss the difference between jobs (which pay bills), careers (climbing the ladder), and callings (which provide meaning and purpose). The conversation concludes with a reading of John Donahue's poem 'For the Traveler.'

Highlights

Introduction to Calling and Its Evolution The speakers begin by introducing the topic of calling and its importance. They establish that calling isn't static but evolves over time. Statistical evidence is presented showing the evolution of job changes: from 1-2 jobs in 1950, 4-6 in 1980, to a projected 12 jobs by 2025. Yale professor Amy Rosinski's framework is discussed, distinguishing between jobs (for paying bills), careers (ladder climbing), and callings (meaningful purpose).

Myth 1: Calling is Unchanging and Linear

The first myth addressed is that calling remains unchanged throughout life. Kevin emphasizes that people are called, not jobs, and that calling evolves as individuals grow. Kathy uses the metaphor of Russian stacking dolls to illustrate how calling evolves into larger versions while maintaining core identity. Parker Palmer's quote about listening to one's life is referenced to emphasize the connection between calling and identity.

Myth 2: Calling is Only for Other People

The second myth discusses the misconception that calling is only for special individuals. Both speakers share personal experiences: Kathy initially resisted following her family's educational legacy, while Kevin, as a chaplain, notes how people often associate calling only with religious vocations. They emphasize that everyone has a unique purpose to fulfill.

Myth 3: Calling is Always Clear and Obvious

The final myth addresses the misconception that calling appears as a dramatic moment of revelation. The speakers reference Bill Burnett's work on Design Your Life Thinking and discuss how calling often emerges through small moments rather than dramatic 'burning bush' experiences. They emphasize that calling develops through exploration and reflection, with Kevin introducing the concept of 'lowercase c' calling moments versus 'capital C' moments.