B
Bob_Crowley
Guest
Hi all,
This is going to be more of a confession from a frustrated “vocationalist” than a useful pointer for anybody else, and probably not very constructive. I’ll be asking for prayers and / or advice by the time its over.
I didn’t become a convinced Christian till I was 28 (Presbyterian), and I was over 40 when I became Catholic, so the word “vocation” is a late acquisition to my practical vocabulary, not being heard much in Protestant or atheist circles. I also associate it with religious life or marriage to the exclusion of just about everything else, although I think it should have a much wider ambit than that. I am married, so at least that part of the “vocational” paradigm is settled.
Now “careers” (or the lack of them) have been the bane of my life. My father completely and deliberately destroyed my confidence when I was younger, and I developed depression which was later helped by taking Prozac. Hence I missed opportunites I should have taken, and found study very difficult after leaving school, so I don’t have formal qualifications.
Most of my experience has been either administration based (government, project coordinator) or small scale logistics (postal, courier, community transport). However I have a gift for writing (or I think I do), and at one stage a voice just cut clear across my thoughts and said, “Bob, what’s WRONG with being a writer!?” It didn’t come from me, because I wanted a trade or some sort of technical vocation. Even my psychiatrist thinks I should “write”.
But I’ve been resisting it. Moreover I’m involved in several other things - Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Toastmasters, a local ambulance committee, JP Qualified (Notary Public to US readers, but voluntary), masters (field) hockey, and I work full time, plus of course mass and church requirements (my wife goes to a Baptist Church, which means an additional service or two on other occasions). In short, I’m overcommitted. Then there’s the dog, the yard, the house etc. CAF wives will recognise a whiney husband.
For those of you who might have similar problems, or have been through it all, and in particular if you “write”, I’d appreciate your prayers, and advice if any, so that I -
Thanks.
This is going to be more of a confession from a frustrated “vocationalist” than a useful pointer for anybody else, and probably not very constructive. I’ll be asking for prayers and / or advice by the time its over.
I didn’t become a convinced Christian till I was 28 (Presbyterian), and I was over 40 when I became Catholic, so the word “vocation” is a late acquisition to my practical vocabulary, not being heard much in Protestant or atheist circles. I also associate it with religious life or marriage to the exclusion of just about everything else, although I think it should have a much wider ambit than that. I am married, so at least that part of the “vocational” paradigm is settled.
Now “careers” (or the lack of them) have been the bane of my life. My father completely and deliberately destroyed my confidence when I was younger, and I developed depression which was later helped by taking Prozac. Hence I missed opportunites I should have taken, and found study very difficult after leaving school, so I don’t have formal qualifications.
Most of my experience has been either administration based (government, project coordinator) or small scale logistics (postal, courier, community transport). However I have a gift for writing (or I think I do), and at one stage a voice just cut clear across my thoughts and said, “Bob, what’s WRONG with being a writer!?” It didn’t come from me, because I wanted a trade or some sort of technical vocation. Even my psychiatrist thinks I should “write”.
But I’ve been resisting it. Moreover I’m involved in several other things - Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Toastmasters, a local ambulance committee, JP Qualified (Notary Public to US readers, but voluntary), masters (field) hockey, and I work full time, plus of course mass and church requirements (my wife goes to a Baptist Church, which means an additional service or two on other occasions). In short, I’m overcommitted. Then there’s the dog, the yard, the house etc. CAF wives will recognise a whiney husband.
For those of you who might have similar problems, or have been through it all, and in particular if you “write”, I’d appreciate your prayers, and advice if any, so that I -
- Stop procrastinating and start writing.
- Find out what I’m supposed to write about.
- Just get more disciplined and organised.
Thanks.
It’s a lot of hard work and dedication. So— set aside a certain period of time each day to accomplish a certain goal, whether it’s reading the sort of things you’d like to write, or writing your own. Give yourself a goal, pray for inspiration, and hold yourself accountable at the end. But don’t just sit in your chair until lightning strikes— start setting down ideas, and brainstorming, and laying your foundations, and a direction will present itself much more quickly than if you just stared at a blank Word document. Keep working at your normal, ordinary tasks, but keep your writing always humming along in the back of your head, and always have something close by to jot down memory-jogs to yourself for when you’re able to settle down in front of your writing again.