Getting Out Of The Mold To Assert Yourself

We are born to be the most authentic version of ourselves;  we are just being. We express with great spontaneity what we like and what we dislike, without passing judgment and without comparing ourselves to others.

However, little by little, we are discovering what society expects of us by dictating the paths to follow. And those who follow the so-called “glorious” paths will receive admiration and approval, will become models to follow and sometimes even idols to whom we dream of being like.

But, to what point do these models come close to our real desires? Are they not moving away from our initial vocation?

The different vocations

The word “vocation” comes from the Latin vocare , which means “to call”. A vocation is therefore a call, an interior voice which indicates to us which path we must follow in life, not only from a professional point of view but in all areas; until we find this mission for which we were born.

The problem arises when these “false calls”, which are foreign to us, prevent us from following our own interior vocation. Maybe because these voices try to frighten us by telling us that if we don’t succeed in certain things we are failures.

Maybe they discourage us by telling us that we cannot aspire to great things because we are not able. Or maybe they coax us and dazzle us with material things, so that we mix ends and means.

Even if it is easier and safer to follow the most conventional paths and to do like everyone else, it costs us dearly: neither more nor less than our personal fulfillment and our fulfillment.

Indeed,  failure to harness our potential and do what we set out to accomplish inevitably causes frustration. And even if we try not to think about it by distracting ourselves by all possible means (internet, television; sometimes even drugs and alcohol), the feeling of lack and accomplishment will always be felt.

So what if a person dares the impossible and decides not to be discouraged by criticism to follow their calling? 

These few people cultivate their personal gardens and spend time taking care of them, for their personal development. They then come out of the “herd”, do not let the crowd walk over them, and they go against the tide.

These people know that the call to vocation is stronger than those of others, because theirs is exciting, irresistible and gives them much greater satisfaction than material reward or approval.

The obstacles

Once we took the plunge and decided to follow our one calling, we won an important battle.

However, we must prepare for the obstacles that we will encounter on our way: the critics, or well-intentioned people who want to dissuade us because our idea seems risky and doomed to failure.

Even so! We have the right to fail once, twice or even three times! If we are firmly convinced of the path to take, the only thing that matters is persistence.

The obstacles are not made to prevent the realization of our vocation, on the contrary. They help us tap into inner resources we weren’t even aware of, making us stronger and contributing to our personal growth.

In addition, when we are aware that we are on the right track, we open ourselves to the world and accept to receive help to move forward.

Many paths can be offered to us, but there is only one that suits us.

And there is nothing else on this Earth that can measure up to the inexhaustible satisfaction that we feel when we listen to ourselves and follow our vocation.