Thursday, September 27, 2007

Passion or peace

These are hard, confusing days on the home front. I will work my way through. It's what I do. It's what I have to do.

In the meantime, I am busy at school trying to find internships for my seniors - launching them into new commitments and workplaces in the community. I often tell them to find their passion - find what really excites them, gives life. This, then, is what they are meant to do: pursue their passion, follow that energy.

Today, however, I am brought up short as a prospective employer tells one of my girls that she knows she has found her calling because it brings a feeling of peace.

"Passion too?" I hopefully interject.

The woman looks at me thoughtfully and then says, "No. I feel calm, peaceful, when I come to this job. It's like coming home."

I continue to think about her revelation.

Here I am, stirring the students to find their "passion" and raise some fuss. But there may be another alternative: a quiet, intuitive knowledge that the shoe fits, that what you are doing is what you are meant to be doing. No fireworks. Just a deep sense of self satisfaction.

I like that alternative. I respect that alternative.

Sometimes God speaks in a whisper.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ohhh, I love it. I've been passionate about my writing, but I never thought that it is the sitting, pondering words and images, quietly that has made me feel the peace.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful and insightful thought. We spend so much of our time, effort, and money trying to find that which makes our heart pound faster when all we really need (and secretly crave) is something that makes us feel at home.

John Lennon was right...give peace a chance.

Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur said...

This is a wonderful insight. I wanted to let you know that I read your piece "Unpacking the Past" in the latest "Women's Times" and enjoyed it very much. Keep up the great work!

pnutsmama said...

sounds like the difference between job and vocation...you are doing good, good work, in so many, many ways.