WHAT’S YOUR CALLING?

I worked in end-of-life care for 20 years. Quite often people commented, “I don’t know how you do that. Isn’t that incredibly sad?” To which I usually replied, “That’s how I feel about accounting.”

My honest reply was always, “It’s a calling, not a career.” Granted, it’s not an easy job and it’s not for everyone. Empathy and compassion are mandatory. Patience and understanding are required. Meeting people where they are and supporting them as they embark on the unknown requires courage and tenacity. Although social work is a special calling, who doesn’t do that in their chosen profession? Nurses do. Teachers do. Parents do. Police, firemen, EMT’s do. I know my coaches at the gym do. Anyone who works with the public does, in spades.

Through the years, I’ve learned some helpful techniques. Sometimes people appreciate my pearls of wisdom, sometimes not so much. There have been times when I was effective and times when I totally missed the mark. My successes are fondly remembered; my failures are hard to forget. It’s helpful to know I’m not alone.

Hands up: 
Who has spoken before their brain was fully engaged?  
Who wishes they could take back the words that caused pain or sorrow?  
Who would give anything for a second chance to get it right?

We all have a calling. We all have days when we are spot on and days we fail miserably. I think the most important thing to remember is that everyone is doing the best they can. As I was reminded not long ago…we are all just walking each other home.