Two Loves Plus One Passion Equal New Calling And Renewed Sense Of Purpose

A couple of weeks ago – thanks to our new friend Nettie Hartsock – we ran across the real-time True Callings story of successful business writer, Peter Economy.nnPeter made what most would consider a big, bold leap about 7 years ago: he went from corporate work into the writing life. And he made that leap in stages - writing part-time, and getting published and paid - to test the ‘can I actually make a living doing what I love?’ waters. And he did that over a number of years - steadily maintaining his focus, commitment and momentum. nnWhich in and of itself is a pretty big deal, not to mention an outstanding example of a call answered well and truly. nBut just recently, Peter’s next True Calling (yup – calling is not a singular thing) came knocking at his door, marrying up a couple of his loves with one of his passions in a way that took him more than a little by surprise. nnAfter years of giving back, (he and his wife have always been givers, he reports) he was feeling a restless kind of dissatisfaction, a yearning for something more he couldn’t yet name, and the urge to do more than give what he could - when he could - from both wallet and calendar. nnBut he had no idea how or what that might look like. Digging deeper didn’t feel like the answer, and more time – well, how many of us think we have room enough to give more of that?nnSo he just openly wondered, quietly and patiently to himself, unconsciously taking for granted there was an answer to be had - and waiting for that answer to make itself known to him. nnAnd that, dear friend, is a Calling Key – trust and patience are essential qualities in developing an effective and rewarding relationship with our callings. nnSee, Peter didn’t do what so many of us think we’re supposed to do: manufacture (or force) an answer. Come up with it ourselves. All on our own. nnNo, Peter opened the door to an answer – expectant and patient - and let it come to him (a phrase we hear over and over again from folks genuinely following their True Callings), and when the time was right, come to him it did. nnAnd when it did, it shocked him in its obviousness and simplicity: write (love #1) a book a year, for as long as you can write books, and write that book with someone (collaboration, or love #2) and charge them not a penny for your services - provided they agree that all profits generated by sales of the book will go to a charity of that person’s choice (‘the passion’ for giving). nnCalendar cleared and more time found: check! nnMuch more money found (without dipping deeper into his own pocket): check! nnGiving from his heart doing what he loves – and doing none of it alone: CHECK! CHECK! CHECK! nnNeedless to say, the whole love, passion and purpose thing has cranked up his feelings of right place and right time – not to mention his sense of wonder and enthusiasm for life - more than a notch or two. nnBam! nnWhich is essentially what happens for everyone when they find, follow and fulfill each of their True Callings: they get a real high return on investment, coming to them in ways they simply couldn’t anticipate fully in advance, and in currencies often way more valuable than merely money (though money is often a part of it, which is kinda nice). nnEver thought about writing a book? Ever stalled out – or just never made it to the starting post? nnWell, there’s this best-selling writer we know by the name of Peter Economy whose looking for somebody he can write and publish a book with in 2008, absolutely free of charge!nnMight that person be you? Could this be one of your True Callings knocking? n