The Dynamic of Vocation Part 3
As we keep this notion of Vocation as (i) an integrative dynamic that flows through identity, purpose and convictions (ii) which establishes and maintains an interior and exterior alignment, unity and congruency, (iii) and fosters personal wholeness and integration, let me offer just a couple more resources or ideas.
First, here is my Vocational Formula as a short-hand way to observe and reflect upon how well one is doing at attending to one’s personal sense and manifestation of alignment, unity and congruency:
Vocational Formula, Timm Glover, M.Div.
My Identity (who I define myself to be) and my Purpose (My passion and mission) and my Convictions (non-negotiable Values and Principles) divided by my Ego equals my degree of vocational integrity or wholeness (and I would add integration and maturity). As we know by the logic of the formula, the larger the Divisor or Denominator (my Ego) the lesser the Quotient (my Vocational Integrity).
Let me remark on how I am using the term “ego” given how prevalent it is in our culture and the various meanings it can hold. From both a psychological and spiritual view, the Ego is not all “bad” – in our formula, one’s Identity in someway is a reflection of ego functioning or one’s internal sense of “I”. We often speak of “ego strengths” such as identity, judgment, reality testing, emotional intelligence, boundaries, etc. However, equally consistent with psychological and spirituality, Ego can reflect a “shadow” dimension of one’s self; that is, our woundedness, brokenness, false self-beliefs or lies that stem from these, defenses, tendency to project disowned parts of ourselves upon others, tendency towards self-centeredness and self-deception and so forth. In this Vocational Formula, I am using “ego” in this second sense of the word.
How am I attending to my healing journey?
What are my blind spots?
What false self-beliefs am I seeking to address and their negative impact in my life? What lies do I need to overcome?
How do my defenses or protective strategies limit my responding to life and others?
Are their aspects of my personality that I reject or have yet to fully appreciate and integrate - instead, projecting them onto others and then reacting?
These questions and more prompt me to (in the words of Saint Ignatius of Loyola) grow in my awareness and understanding so as to discern right action.
Let’s pause here and take a moment. I am curious about what this is stirring up for you. What’s affirming about all this? What’s challenging about all this? What questions, insights, push-backs are surfacing for you? How would you assess your vocational integrity or wholeness? What would be one very small, simple step could you experiment with towards this direction?
