Posted 01/25/2009 - 03:36:21pm by Sam Shafer
The Rev. Sam Shafer
One’s calling in life, says the author and minister Frederick Buechner, is “that place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” To find your calling in an encore career, ask yourself: What need in the world will ignite the passions in my heart, tap my natural gifts, educational background and skills, and bring new vitality to all of life?
You might start by finding a quiet spot and pondering three not-so-simple questions:
Who am I? Try to distill what you have discovered about yourself during your many years of work and uncover the attributes that have been elusive or oftentimes buried for years. According to E.E. Cummings, “To be nobody but yourself in a world that is doing its best day and night to make you everybody else, means to fight one of the hardest battles any human being can fight.” To discover a new purpose in life will require that you live more authentically, not bending to the outside forces around you. You will be challenged to go to the center of who you really are.
How do I function best? How are you wired and in what circumstances do you function best? What natural talents and learned skills do you have to contribute? You may know many of your abilities, but other gifts may yet to be discovered. You need to carefully assess your natural talents, favorite skills and the fields of knowledge toward which you have gravitated most of your life. What have you been praised for doing well? What experiences have you had that ignited a passion?
What am I here for? Take as an article of faith that you were put here for a purpose and that you have been given the gifts you need to achieve your mission. What is your summum bonum – the place where you can give the greatest good? Finding that place may not be easy or clear or concise, as it is a work in progress. In the beginning, you may uncover only a vague pointing in a direction that will seize your heart. The important thing is to take action, and in the midst of your experiences, as the Quakers say, “a way will open.”
A providential force beyond your control is always going before you and opening new doors to walk through. It may take two or three years of shedding old paradigms and habits before you discover your heartfelt passions and new pathways become clear. As you take steps of faith, remember the journey is an integral part of the mission, and both the passion in your heart and the needs of the world are proteanly dynamic.
This time of revelation and self-discovery provides a great opportunity to probe the “world’s deep hunger.” Take a journey to uncover the many needs in our world today and search out the places where you might fit in. You may find a group already addressing a need that is tugging at your heart and an organization in which you could be a vital participant. Or you may uncover a unique solution to a problem to which you are being called to start your own organization.
Today, we have one of the most powerful search tools in history to find every imaginable group at work in the world. With the Internet, everyone should be able to find a place where his or her years of wisdom, experience and giftedness would be of great value. Encore.org offers many opportunities to connect with others who share your geographical location or your passions.
We live in perilous times: a period in which the very underpinnings of our society are crumbling. Our very ground of being is shifting beneath our feet. Yet those with a mind set on finding their passion for living and with eyes upon the “world’s deep hunger” stand on a solid foundation. Rather than being distracted by material concerns, they are focused on caring and giving to the needs in the world around them. They are called to serve.
Sam Shafer, a parish priest, now works to help participants identify their gifts, uncover their passions and find their callings. This piece is adapted from a six-week course he conducts for churches, community groups and other organizations. He lives in Oakland, Calif.
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When will the next class be in the east or north bay area, CA?
When will you be teaching your next series in the Marin county or east bay areas? I just missed your Oct 9 & 10th classes, DRAT! I would like to try to attend.
Thanks! (10/19/09)
Relocating to Southern California, or Carmel?
I have been trying to relocate from Arizona for several years after my husband died, however, two months from that day my wonderful grandson came into the world. I have been very tied to him, and because of this, (daughters needs, and mine) i have a hard time leaving here?. I would love to move so that i may connect with other creative Souls in the music and dance field.
to me, California would resonate for me more, than here, however due to limit funds, and recently become unemployed, I would love to connect with others who may have a solution to this problem for me, and them?
Any suggestions on what to do from here?
Also, I have a Spiritual dance program which I would love to get under way with a dance studio---Like minded Souls?
DEE
Relocating
Dear Dee,
I can sympathize with your feeling pulled in two directions. More than once I have had this experience. However, this is where my faith has played an important part in my decisionmaking. I have always found that God has a better sense than I do of where I belong at any given moment in time.
In the Called to Serve class I focus on three important calls in our lives. The first relates to vocation or our life work, the second pertains to character development, and the third is our calling to family. In reading your letter I can sense your deep felt need to connect with other creative souls in music and dance, but it seems that at the present time the "way open" appears to be more with your call to family. You have been blessed with a "wonderful grandson" and a daughter who needs you. It would seem that a move at this time might satisfy your creative passions - but it could leave you very vulnerable at this important transition point in your life. Also, you have been given a loving support base with your family that you would truly miss if you were to leave at this time. Therefore, I think you would do well to explore creative opportunities right where you are, as well as recognizing you live in a day and age where you can connect with practicelly any like minded person or group on the planet. If you haven't already done so, I would encourage you to explore the treasure trove of the internet and see what might just blossom right in your own backyard.
I hope this might be of help to you in your decisionmaking.
Samuel H. Shafer
following a dream
i myself have started to ponder what to do next and joined encore as part of plan to get the cosmos to help me determine what will be most fullfilling and productive. one thing that is helping me is kundalini yoga. if you have not heard of this or tried it i suggest you look into this amazing process that is readily available to us. using the power of belief, gratitude and specificity we engage in the law of attraction and when the right path is before you it will be recognized.
What is next?
I enjoyed your post and am struggling with the next career challenge. I am 59 and want to live out my life through contribution and using my native talents and gifts. Are you offering the workshop in the Los Angeles area? Is it available on CD?
Thanks,
Ran Klarin
ranklarin@verizon.net
Southern CA?
I, too, live in Southern CA (Orange Co.) and would be interested in a workshop in that area. I'm 59 and in the last few months lost my 92 yr. old mother that I cared for, then I retired and moved to be close to my children and grandchildren. But I need my own life, so I'm hoping this leads me in the right direction.
khalicoe@yahoo.com
Called to Serve Workshop
Thank you for your interest in the workshops. I normally conduct the classes in a six week format, but I am teaching the series in the Bay Area on Friday evening, October 9 and all day Saturday, October 10, at Zion Lutheran Church in Piedmont. I will send you an attachment giving further details. As to a southern California venue, I am working with several people to arrange for a weekend series in Santa Barbara. I will give you futher information as it develops.
Also, if you know of a potential group for sponsoring the class in the Los Angeles area I would be happy to make contact with them.
You are at an ideal age for uncovering the areas in which you are being called to serve, and I will pray you make all of the right connections to make the second half of your life meaningful to you and significant in the lives of those you will be serving.
Blessings.
Sam Shafer
P.S. I served for a number of years at an Episcopal Church in Newport Beach.
Called to Serve
Thank you for this wonderfully, inspiring commentary. Please also send me a copy of the course outline and summary. Blessings and Peace.
s.murphy419@yahoo.com
Elliot
Elliot Evers
eevers@mediaventurepartners.com
I am curious about the six-week course mentioned in the paragraph below your article. Where and when is that course offered, and can you please tell me about other courses of a similar nature that might be available in San Francisco or nearby?
Thank you.
Elliot Evers
Called to Serve Classes
Dear Elliot,
Thanks for your inquiry about the six week course. In answer to your question, I am presently preparing to teach another course series at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley. The classes will begin on Sunday, June 7 and last for six weeks through Sunday, July 12th. The class is open to people in the community; and the church underwrites the series so the only cost to participants would be the $3.00 for the notebook and course materials.
I am sending you an outline of the series along with a brief summary of my background. If you have further questions please feel free to email me or contact me at 510-653-3600.
If you or anyone else you know would like to attend the classes please let me know, and I will arrange with the registrar to place your name on the class roster.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Samuel H. Shafer
Notebook and course materials
Is it possible to purchase these materials if not in California?
Called to Serve Course Materials
Dear Joanna,
Thank you for your interest in purchasing the course materials. What is currently available would be of limited help to you, as it is a course outline that is filled in by class participants.
I am currently working on a manuscipt that I hope will become a book in the near future. In the meantime, if you send me your email address I will be happy to forward a full summary of what is taught. You can contact me at SJShafer@sbcglobal.net As you will note from other replies, on June 7th I am beginning another of the six week series at the Summer Institute which is held at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley. The classes are open to anyone who would wish to attend.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Samuel H. Shafer
course materials available
I am currently being overhauled.(brain procedure Aug 2000, triple coronary by-pass with valve replacement, May 2009, with eye lid and foot nerve procedures July of 2009. During these procedures and their periods of recovery and rehilabiltation, I have been taking stock in who or what I have become. Case in point on the day I recieved my Bachelors' in 1986 I could load up my VW van in 30 minutes with all that I owned and be on the road soon after.
For the last 20 + years I have chosen to work with positions that the public was/is my focus and then as now not nearly the wage of the private sector. Add to that those who serve do so at the whim of those elected officals who see the meager offering for those in our society as a feast for those to consume as needed. I almost feel lucky not be able to work, the work needs to go on....
I look forward to your summaries with thanks in advance,
ggb
fears
Thank you, Sam, for your inspiring ideas. Please clarify how to distinguish between the fears that protect one from harm & the fears one should use as clues to move forward. Thank you again.
Fears
Dear Zsanine,
Your question is a key one, as their are fears that protect us from injury and harm. However, these guidelines have been helpful to me. First of all, there are two areas in which we can expect to encounter fears and resistance of the false kind. The first is when we enter into the territory of unleashing our gifts and uncovering who we are and what we were created to be. The second area where fears can spring is when we move the direction of a call where we can most effectively be of service to the world. You can almost anticipate great resistance and unfounded fears when you enter these areas. After all you might just become a real tool for overcoming injustice, ignorance, poverty, sickness, and the many other sufferings in the world around you. When I encounter those times where the line is not clear I find it of great importance to have extended times of being quiet, praying, and then listening. Finally, never discount the importance of close friends and community in helping you to discern what is going on in your life. They can be a Godsend in keeping you on the path.
This is a short answer to a question that has been pondered by many as they seek to live out their call. I hope this of some help.
A lovely, spiritual and deeply helpful article.
Thank you so much for your lovely spiritual and deeply helpful article. It appeared just when I needed it most--as I'm on my personal quest to devise my new direction. Your article will be re-read again and again during times of doubt and misgivings.
At 62, am I too old to return to school to pursue a Masters in clinical social work?? Some days I think 'no,' other days, 'of course you're too old.'
Confusing, these warring mental voices...which one should I tell to shut up??
You're a lovely writer and I do appreciate your crafting of this piece--and its very useful content. I look forward to reading more from you.
Sincerely,
Pat Frank aka SeaSage
on a quest
Called to Serve
Dear Pat,
Thank you for your kind and supportive letter. It is responses like yours that make what I am doing all worthwhile.
As to the voices that say "yes" to pursuing your Masters in Clinical Social Work and those that say you are "too old," I would offer this counsel. I believe when you embark in a direction where you can do the greatest good with your life that you receive strong opposition from many forces: misleading spiritual forces that would be strongly opposed to your finding the place where you can do the most good in the world; your own bad habits, negative thinking, and fears (False Events Appearing Real), and those around you who may resist your succeeding in a new endeavor (though you must be discerning and listen to those who are bearers of truth). These forces can all align themselves to keep you from moving ahead.
One principle I teach that might be of help. Let resistance be a part of your compass. Though resistance at times can be a warning signal, much of the time it can be something you need to walk through. One person put it this way, "The more you are scared of something - the more you probably need to do it." It is helpful to remember as well that the more you fear something - more often than not you find on the others side of that fear a great opportunity to extend your love to the world.
Hope this is helpful. I will pray you remain focused and on task in your journey.
Blessings,
Sam Shafer