Unexpected Vocations
Some individuals call serving in the military their patriotic duty and others indicate it is their calling; however, most military members call it their job. Upon receiving gratitude for serving in the military, most members reply “I was just doing my job.” The readings from Addams, Hardy, Campbell, and Buechner help me view vocation from multiple aspects with the consideration that my first job was really a vocation, but not the only one in my lifetime. Through the readings I have a better understanding of the meaning of vocation, and how just out of high school I found a vocation without even identifying the work as a calling. Now, I realize my first adult job was helping others on a grand scale even though I did not …show more content…
303-308). Women were expected to marry, raise children, and care for the family. The firm belief of the period did not entertain the idea that women would not marry or would take up a social obligation in the public domain. The progress of the time shows the importance of work for women as well as men. Social obligation does not have to conflict with family life but can be expanded upon (Addams, 2006, p. 306). During my life, I have had the pleasure of serving others through my military service, parenting, and supporting my husband, and volunteering. Up until recently, my vocations have continued to useful to me and others. My emotional well-being has suffered since the loss of some of my vocations. For me, retirement from military life and the relocation of my adult children and grandchildren have left me without a vocation and, consequently, without a purpose. Addams’ story offers me a better understanding of how important a social obligation (vocation) is to my emotional well-being. When a person’s calling is inhibited “we have a most flagrant example of the ill-adjustment and misery” (p. 306). I concluded this week’s reflection on vocation as a consideration of how to choose my new vocation for an improved well-being. Buechner’s “Vocation” inspired me to ask myself when I was last filled with gladness while working. Why was I glad? How can I use my skills to meet a world’s deficiency? I discovered that I would like to work for a nonprofit organization that teaches low income people how to use computer software, so they may lift themselves and their families out of
Some individuals call serving in the military their patriotic duty and others indicate it is their calling; however, most military members call it their job. Upon receiving gratitude for serving in the military, most members reply “I was just doing my job.” The readings from Addams, Hardy, Campbell, and Buechner help me view vocation from multiple aspects with the consideration that my first job was really a vocation, but not the only one in my lifetime. Through the readings I have a better understanding of the meaning of vocation, and how just out of high school I found a vocation without even identifying the work as a calling. Now, I realize my first adult job was helping others on a grand scale even though I did not …show more content…
303-308). Women were expected to marry, raise children, and care for the family. The firm belief of the period did not entertain the idea that women would not marry or would take up a social obligation in the public domain. The progress of the time shows the importance of work for women as well as men. Social obligation does not have to conflict with family life but can be expanded upon (Addams, 2006, p. 306). During my life, I have had the pleasure of serving others through my military service, parenting, and supporting my husband, and volunteering. Up until recently, my vocations have continued to useful to me and others. My emotional well-being has suffered since the loss of some of my vocations. For me, retirement from military life and the relocation of my adult children and grandchildren have left me without a vocation and, consequently, without a purpose. Addams’ story offers me a better understanding of how important a social obligation (vocation) is to my emotional well-being. When a person’s calling is inhibited “we have a most flagrant example of the ill-adjustment and misery” (p. 306). I concluded this week’s reflection on vocation as a consideration of how to choose my new vocation for an improved well-being. Buechner’s “Vocation” inspired me to ask myself when I was last filled with gladness while working. Why was I glad? How can I use my skills to meet a world’s deficiency? I discovered that I would like to work for a nonprofit organization that teaches low income people how to use computer software, so they may lift themselves and their families out of