Our deepest calling is to grow into our own authentic self-hood, whether or not it conforms to some image of who we ought to be. As we do so, we will not only find the joy that every human seeks – we will also find our path of authentic service to the world. ~Parker Palmer
I grew up in Washington State in a small town of about 1000 people. When I was younger, one could generally find me either reading a book or playing basketball. Now, many years later, I can still frequently be found with my nose in a book, but age and two knee surgeries have made basketball a spectator sport for me. As a result, I am now more likely to get exercise by walking or hiking in this gorgeous place we call the Northwest. Though I miss the competition and action of basketball, I have learned to slow down and appreciate the beauty and calming influence of nature and the world around me.
After I finished high school, I left my small town to attend George Fox University, where my undergraduate education yielded a bachelor’s degree in business. Over the next 20 years, that degree led me to various employment experiences including a grocery store, a hotel, and, for the majority of my business career, a national automotive parts distributor. These varied settings provided excellent opportunities to learn about personnel management, marketing, finance, customer service, negotiation, product management, and the bottom line. But most importantly, I learned about me. I learned that, while I could do those things fairly well, I didn’t find any of them to be particularly interesting or rewarding. Instead, I found I was interested in and passionate about people. I enjoyed developing the interests and abilities of my employees and understanding their challenges and strengths. I enjoyed learning about them and my peers outside of work, as relationships revealed their colorful characteristics and personalities. Ultimately, I learned that, though my interests were helpful in business, they were not necessarily being used for my “deepest calling.” So I made a change.
The most recent chapter of my life involved a return to college to earn my doctorate of clinical psychology. The quote at the beginning by Parker Palmer was given to me by a friend at the beginning of graduate school, and it has held significance for me ever since. In my business career, I always felt like I was wearing a shoe that was too small. Now I know I am in the right place doing the work to which I was called. I enjoy it, both the rewards and the challenges. Most of all, I am grateful for a job that allows me to help others find their own joy.