The Dynamic of Vocation Part 2
Rather than seeing “vocation” as a separate category or some distinctive destination that one comes to or progresses to as if it is some dimension of self-actualization or fulfillment, vocation is best seen as a synergistic, integrative dynamic of maturity, wholeness and integration. Vocation is about living and manifesting a unity and congruency of identity, purpose and convictions throughout the multiplicity of one’s ways of being in the world and in relationships. So, let’s break this down a bit more.
Identity: Identity is my answer to the question “Who am I?” It is bigger than a role or title. My role or title is much like all the many exterior aspects of my Self that can change. In philosophical terms, a role or title is an “accident”, but my identity is akin to my “essence”. It is my Timm-ness. It is your “you-ness”. My identity is what spiritual wisdom refers to as one’s “true self”. Identity is about those core beliefs I hold about myself. In our Catholic anthropology (or how we understand the human person), we begin this answer by pointing to our being created in the image and likeness of God, of being created by, with and for love and communion or relationship others, of how our destiny is beloved union with God, of our intrinsic dignity and worth, and more. Yet, all this must come to a very personal level, a very personal answer. The mystery and fullness of one’s identity is always bigger than any particular “icon” or relationship and role. We can hear the search for identity when we ask questions like:
o Who am I?
o What are my best qualities?
o Who am I beneath all my roles?
o How would I define the contents of my life and person?
o How do I experience myself when I am alone?
o How would I want people to remember me when I’m no longer here?
Purpose: Purpose is my answer to the question of “Why am I?” This is about one’s personal sense of mission in the world. We have many ways of expressing this desire, longing or yearning: “I want to make a difference.”; “I want to leave a legacy.”; “I want to make my mark on the world.” We often connect a sense of mission with a sense of passion, and rightly so! “What’s your passion?”; “What are you passionate about?” – are questions we often hear asked. I have often wondered about the degree of the organizational and cultural change of work; if, rather than valuing and emphasizing resumes in our recruiting and hiring practices, we sought rather the “back take” of persons’ passions and purposes (after all, the word “resume” means “a back take”). Said another way, knowing my deep and abiding sense of Purpose and Passion comes truer to my Curriculum Vitae or my “Life Course”. We can hear the search for purpose when we ask questions like:
o What is my biggest dream?
o What do I intend to do in this life?
o If this was my last day, would I be satisfied with my life? What would I have done differently?
o What is my gift to the world, to those I love?
o What is the lasting impact I want to have on others when I’m no longer here?
o What is my mission in life?
o What gives me great joy?
o Where am I going and why?
Convictions: This is another way to talk about one’s Values. I like the word “conviction” as it denotes a sense of courage, fidelity and commitment. The word “conviction” means “to convince, to overcome”. My convictions are those ultimate concerns, principles, truths and values that I am so convinced about, that they are inseparable from my sense of who I am, of my identity. Furthermore, my convictions are those non-negotiable Values and Principles that enable me to overcome all obstacles in order to remain true to them; they are resources even in the face of arduous resistance and challenge to them. Here, our convictions relate to our first definition of the word “integrity”. We can hear the search for convictions when we ask questions like:
o If I wasn’t seeking approval from others, what decision, action or course would I follow?
o What are my cherished values? How are these evident in my life?
o If I were to ask those who really know and care about me, what would they say is most important to me?
o When I honestly look at how I spend my time and energy, what life priorities do I discover?
o How would I name and define the principles that are truly non-negotiable for me regardless of people, places or things?
o If I were to do a word count on my ten most important conversations, letters, emails or communications to others, what would be my most common words used – what implications would these words hold for reflection of my values?
“Icons”: We are probably familiar with this term. Perhaps you have even seen icons in your settings or at your hospitals. We certainly see them here at this retreat center. In the everyday ancient world, an “icon” referred to an image, portrait or statue. In a sacred context, an icon is a representation; that is to say, it is a re-presenting of a reality. Within the synergistic and integrative dynamic of vocation, “icons” are the multiple and various manifestations of the totality of one’s identity, purpose and convictions within the relationships and roles I hold in the world. For example: I am a retiree of Ascension, I served there as the EVP of Mission Integration, but I held 6 other titles and roles throughout my 25 years there. I am a husband, father, father-in-law and for the past 18 months Papa G to my two granddaughters. I am a brother, son-in-law, and friend. I am a spiritual director. I am an Aspirant of the Apostoli Viae community. My Icons could go on and on. You could probably identify a similar list of your own. We can hear the search for “icons” when we ask questions like:
o Who do I trust?
o Who do I feel safe with?
o With whom can I be vulnerable in the presence of?
o Who do I love? Who are my beloveds?
o Who loves me?
o Who are my community?
o Where do I go for encouragement, support and allyship?
o Who are the cherished people or relationships in my life?
o What roles do I steward in life? Who am I accountable to and for what?
o Where do I share my time, talents and abilities?
o Who are my role models, mentors, coaches, wisdom figures?
o Whose feedback matters even when it is uncomfortable?
Maxims:
An understanding of vocation is inseparable from our anthropology or understanding of the human person.
Said another way: Vocation is about our humanity and is to be congruent with our nature as a human person. We know this is not so, when we find ourselves living a divided life.
Vocation proceeds from the interior to the exterior – seeking in turn to integrate the exterior into the ongoing unfolding of one’s personhood and therefore one’s vocation
Vocation is integrative movement or operation of one’s identity (Who am I?), purpose (Why am I?), one’s conviction (non-negotiables) and one’s “icons” or the various manifestations of one’s being in the world – so much richer and enduring than “wearing different hats”.
Faithfulness (fidelity) and Integrity are its animating forces
Personal integration, wholeness and maturity are more determinative than technique, expertise, and knowledge.
Take time to reflect and articulate your own responses to these aspects.
So, how do you to find yourself responding to this? What is it surfacing for you? What is challenging for you? What is affirming for you?
