may 2014
|
magis
45
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| voice within
|
of the word calling in Protestant Theology,
one can see that it is closely related to what
a community or a people have learnt and
believed in and through cultural or scriptur-
al interpretations. Callings for this reason
cannot be limited to work alone. It is based
on what a particular culture perceives to
be valuable and how ingrained in culture/
scripture/religion a person is. Thus a person
may be inspired to make life decisions
based on life roles that s/he perceives to
be important or valuable based on their spe-
cific mental schema.
The Western conception of calling is
largely based on an individualistic perspec-
tive. It comes from an individual’s seek-
ing of fulfilment in life all by him/her-self
based on the talents and inclinations one
has; a philosophy resonated in popular
songs like “My Way” by Frank Sinatra.
This is the reason it creates a great furore in
the Western society when highly success-
ful individuals leave their professions and
choose or decline offers for the sake of
one’s family etc. (for example, Ann Marie
Slaughter’s article in
The Atlantic
July/Aug
2012). However, in more collectivist soci-
eties, individuals strive to be more in com-
mune with family and relatives and choose
less attractive positions and work situations
or sacrifice their professional careers for
them. Their priorities are different; based
on their collectivist schema.
While to experience calling is possible
in every domain of life, there is nothing
better than one’s experience of work as a
calling; and more so in routine and alienat-
ing work situations that today fill about 70
percent of the day. Most calling experi-
ences at work are likely in professions
consciously chosen and followed in spite of
all difficulties. In most cases such convic-
tions require support from important others,
relieving one from other responsibilities.
Seeking and Living a Calling
The condition for
living
one’s calling
is freedom of choice. One cannot speak
of hard manual labour done by hundreds
of construction workers as a calling. They
have not possibly chosen it, but given
their level of education and absence of
skill are forced into it. Freedom of choice
and availability of skill or the conditions
to learn makes it possible for people to
make a change in life. Thus living a calling
is affirmed largely with certain kinds of
professions like musicians, teachers, etc.
while for others they are at different stages
in their path towards a calling.
An important step towards
living
one’s
calling is
seeking
one’s calling. We Indians
can resonate affectively to this dimension
rather than to calling as a concept. Call-
ing (as a word) is alien to the large Indian
populace. We do not understand anyone be-
ing called by God, as in Hindu mythology
and scripture callings are not known. What
is known widely is
seeking
wisdom and
meaning of life and world. Like Hugo, in
the Martin Scorsese film of the same name,
they understand that they have a place in
the world but seek to discover it. In these
terms seeking for a deeper understanding of
the world and one’s life in this world leads
individuals to response in and through deci-
sions one makes about his/her professional
life.
Meaning in Life Through Calling
Living one’s calling is closely related to
meaning in life. Individuals seek meaning
in life through meaningful work. Meaning
in life is also arrived at by making an effec-
tive contribution to the world one lives in,
leaving a legacy behind. Individuals seek
this through their active lives and best if it
could be done through their professional
lives. Pro-social motivation is one of the
important factors of calling orientation
towards work. Some organisations or pro-
fessions are inherently places where people
with a calling would join or are likely to be
found. For example, academic institutions,
music troupes, etc. Those who have found
their calling, when unable to live it in the
present context, seek alternative ways to
satisfy their calling by making some contri-
bution towards society by being associated
with altruistic groups like soup kitchens,
charity organisations etc. Some kind of
social contribution is again a dimension of
values treasured by individuals and defines
meaningful life.
In summary, calling is important to be
understood and appreciated for several rea-
sons. Firstly, as a society or colleagues in
organisations we can be supportive towards
such unconventional moves. Support is
required because self-esteem and self-
worth are closely related to social compar-
isons or social goals that are set by the soci-
ety. If expectations for one to be moulded
in a particular box are removed, then in
spite of being unsuccessful, individuals
would feel an enhanced self-esteem and
self-worth also reducing stress. Secondly
organisations seeking to increase commit-
ment from employees can contribute by
satisfying this inherent need of seeking
meaning in life through one’s work. Even
though the work is routine and boring,
the availability of alternatives to satisfy
one’s inner cravings within the organisa-
tion would certainly increase commitment.
Lastly, such moves will help organisations
to build social capital, as places sought
after to work.
Please write to us at
Living one’s calling is
related to meaning in
life and individuals seek
meaning in life through
meaningful work
