“The world needs you to do what you love. Have you done that?” In the last season of the hit television crime series Criminal Minds, Detective Spencer Reid is on his death bed, and in that liminal space between this life and the next he meets Maive, a woman he loved years before who died too young. At one point, as Spencer is struggling with whether to wake up or not, Maive says to him the words above, that I’ll share here again:
Kinda weird but I like my job. I look for repair parts for usn submarines and I am pretty good at finding stuff. Been there 35 years. But I am surrounded with mostly boring engineering and design people talking mostly boring navy specs and rules and excruciatingly mind numbing navy procedures all day long so when I get home I love to do nothing. Actually sit or walk & try to purposely do nothing with my head,, think nothing say nothing read nothing decide nothing,, my only task at hand is to just empty out a little space in my head for God to come in and sit a while. takes some practice, for me it works best outside, where God likes to show off. Yeah, told you, kinda weird.
Since childhood, I've loved nature. I have other big loves too....but being in wild nature and being aware of our great interconnectedness with plants and animals has been my deepest, most enduring passion and solace. These days, with climate chaos, that love comes with grief. But that's okay. For the rest of my life, I'm thinking that repairing and holding up the things we can and bearing witness to the rest will be a big part of my work.
I'm an interfaith spiritual director. The time I share with directees/clients/soul friends brings me a deeply warm joy. I photograph the sacred [it's all sacred! :)] and make cards for people to celebrate joys and support each other in sorrow. I love when I hear from people the stories of which one they sent and why, and hear how it's been received. Also, as an organizer, l help people who are overwhelmed with their "stuff" - sometimes their lives, which brings gratification. I am grateful for a life that has pushed me to work with mind, body, and heart. Without restrictions and losses I doubt that I would have found my way here.
I love quiet places. I love walking through Nature. I love instrumental music. I love a good hot cup of something in the morning and meditation/breathing exercises. My career is in special education (I've been working the last 10 yrs with the elementary population) so during my work hours it's loud, crazy, stressful and trying (but so rewarding). That is why I love that I can "shut off" and enjoy the peace around me and within me during the rest of the day.
I love creating things. Different mediums speak to me at different times. Among the things I love that I return to are acting, singing, dancing, making jewelry/baskets. I love being outside in nature, love learning new things. I love creating because I was taught there is holiness in the desire to create. And these days, when I feel like my relationship with the church suffers, creating feels like another way to be close to God/ center and ground myself.
I love mornings and eating breakfast on the porch with some coffee and reading. I love coffee and tea, cooking, sunrises, stars, hiking, astrology, hugs, and being in community.
This is such an interesting question. So I am an academic nerd. I have multiple degrees and the debt to show for it. My dream was to get a PhD. But after racism and bullying forced me to "voluntarily" master out, I was devestated. My dreams were over. That happened almost two years ago. It's been a hard road and it still is. I'm trying to figure out what to do with my life and whether or not I can make a career out of what I love. But for this year, I at least get to do what I love in a volunteer program. I get to do research on peace and nonviolence and work on building a curriculum. On my free time, when I'm not hanging out with other volunteers, I get to read and write about theology and social justice. I'm a bit scared that in the future I wont be able to do what I love because well, money to survive, but for this year I do. I hope to make the most of it.
What if you have no idea what you really love? I mean I know I love my family…my children and grandson mean the world to me and I do all I can to love them well. But I struggle to love myself the same way I love them..I’ve been seeking to do that more and more…:but whenever I’m asked this question I just have no idea. How do you find what you love? I’m so much more acquainted with what I don’t enjoy than with what I love. I would love some guidance of how this 61 year old working woman can discover for herself what she truly loves? I see others do what they love and I so envy them. Everything I try seems to not really capture my heart. Thank you for any guidance here.
I love art. I’m not a great artist, but I love to create mixed media pieces. The process of different techniques makes me feel relaxed and at peace, whether it’s working with texture paste and a painting knife or pasting different papers and items onto a collage. Crafting and creating is me at my most inner core.
I love so many things in the world. Writing. Drawing. Watching and performing theater. Hikes in the woods and walks in the park. Baking bread and eating it with good friends. Throwing parties and seeing people connect with each other. I think everything comes down to connection and beauty— all of these things create the links between us and others. I struggle, though, with 1) actually doing these things instead of numbing or wasting time, and 2) valuing them as things the world truly needs.
I love the feeling of loving. I had been really getting after myself these past weeks, turning the powerlessness and grief I felt for the crises and suffering affecting so many communities im this world, into anger against myself for my privilege and inadequate action.
But the past few days, I have been able to break through that thinking. I committed to calling myself back to me, to my life, to here, to now. loving myself again has been feeling so incredibly good, and I know I am much more powerful in this space, than when I have disconnected from myself. I love loving myself, committing to it, practicing it all throughout the day. Somehow there is a disconnect in my brain that tells me I cannot care about, support, and validate other AND care about, support, and validate myself. But I know I must learn to love in both directions at once.
I love teaching, but I believe teaching doesn't love me back. It may be time to find a new love, but it comes back to purpose. This is what I know, I was proposed to do, so I'll keep doing what I love in spite of the negative impact it has on my well being.
I guess in that light I love finding beauty and noticing the little things like out on a walk yesterday finding an intact acorn with his little top on and a beautiful fall leaf…tucking them into my pocket and bringing them home took me back to a childhood with my pockets full of treasures like rocks and feathers and leaves. Maybe it’s that I always think of that question in terms of my work since I tend to have jobs that I don’t love at all…maybe it’s just finding the little ways I love myself that matter most. I was sad yesterday and decided to actually hold myself and comfort myself with sweet words like I would to my children or grandson and let myself know …or rather let my sadness know it wasn’t alone. I was going to be there with it and keep it company…I cried and felt so companioned…I guess that’s another thing I love. Thank you for this question today that has me thinking much smaller about some of the little things I love.
I love to enjoy time with my family. I love to help people at work as a legal assistant who works with veterans and the elderly. I love to share ideas and thoughts by writing occasionally. I have always thought that being a writer in some form would be my "dream" but I am realizing more and more that it is just a part of who I am and maybe I need to stop thinking of that as a someday big dream and realize it is a right now small part of my bigger picture.
I love learning people's stories, hearing their heart & encouraging them in who they are. My favorite thing is a 3 hour coffee or lunch date where I sit and listen and affirm. There are other things I enjoy (nature, baking, photography & scrapbooking) but I've really come to understand 1-1 connection is where I thrive.
For 30+ years I have LOVED what I do for work. I have felt called and energized and part of people's stories. People often say to me, when I tell them what I do for a living, how hard the work must be. And yes, it is hard. But I have been given all that I need to do another day. Tears and smiles and loss and grief and being found and joy and change and strength and wisdom and stupidity and insight and snuggles, and, and, and...did anyone know that there was so much to be had? How did I get so lucky? All the rest of my life is in sync with this thing that fills me. My family. My home. Other passions and loves and things to expend energy on. I believe in God and I believe that God has called me to this and that He has made me to do this thing. I am so blessed and I know it. It makes me humble (hopefully!) and thankful. So thankful.
The interesting thing for me, with this question, is that I am coming into those transition years - between mid-50's and retirement. Although I still love my job, it does require a lot of energy and I'm getting old-er! My focus has been in training up the young in the way that they should go and figuring out what is next as I start to let go. What will be the next thing that I love, that can contribute to the world and feed my soul? What will it be that keeps me passionate and humble? How can I best grieve the inevitable loss of what has been for so long? I am looking forward (with hope and anxiety!) to the answers that God will provide for me. He did a wonderful thing when he gave me my "first love" and I'm looking forward to the next phase of my journey around the sun!
Kinda weird but I like my job. I look for repair parts for usn submarines and I am pretty good at finding stuff. Been there 35 years. But I am surrounded with mostly boring engineering and design people talking mostly boring navy specs and rules and excruciatingly mind numbing navy procedures all day long so when I get home I love to do nothing. Actually sit or walk & try to purposely do nothing with my head,, think nothing say nothing read nothing decide nothing,, my only task at hand is to just empty out a little space in my head for God to come in and sit a while. takes some practice, for me it works best outside, where God likes to show off. Yeah, told you, kinda weird.
Since childhood, I've loved nature. I have other big loves too....but being in wild nature and being aware of our great interconnectedness with plants and animals has been my deepest, most enduring passion and solace. These days, with climate chaos, that love comes with grief. But that's okay. For the rest of my life, I'm thinking that repairing and holding up the things we can and bearing witness to the rest will be a big part of my work.
I'm an interfaith spiritual director. The time I share with directees/clients/soul friends brings me a deeply warm joy. I photograph the sacred [it's all sacred! :)] and make cards for people to celebrate joys and support each other in sorrow. I love when I hear from people the stories of which one they sent and why, and hear how it's been received. Also, as an organizer, l help people who are overwhelmed with their "stuff" - sometimes their lives, which brings gratification. I am grateful for a life that has pushed me to work with mind, body, and heart. Without restrictions and losses I doubt that I would have found my way here.
Thank you, Kaitlin!
I love quiet places. I love walking through Nature. I love instrumental music. I love a good hot cup of something in the morning and meditation/breathing exercises. My career is in special education (I've been working the last 10 yrs with the elementary population) so during my work hours it's loud, crazy, stressful and trying (but so rewarding). That is why I love that I can "shut off" and enjoy the peace around me and within me during the rest of the day.
I love creating things. Different mediums speak to me at different times. Among the things I love that I return to are acting, singing, dancing, making jewelry/baskets. I love being outside in nature, love learning new things. I love creating because I was taught there is holiness in the desire to create. And these days, when I feel like my relationship with the church suffers, creating feels like another way to be close to God/ center and ground myself.
I love mornings and eating breakfast on the porch with some coffee and reading. I love coffee and tea, cooking, sunrises, stars, hiking, astrology, hugs, and being in community.
This is such an interesting question. So I am an academic nerd. I have multiple degrees and the debt to show for it. My dream was to get a PhD. But after racism and bullying forced me to "voluntarily" master out, I was devestated. My dreams were over. That happened almost two years ago. It's been a hard road and it still is. I'm trying to figure out what to do with my life and whether or not I can make a career out of what I love. But for this year, I at least get to do what I love in a volunteer program. I get to do research on peace and nonviolence and work on building a curriculum. On my free time, when I'm not hanging out with other volunteers, I get to read and write about theology and social justice. I'm a bit scared that in the future I wont be able to do what I love because well, money to survive, but for this year I do. I hope to make the most of it.
What if you have no idea what you really love? I mean I know I love my family…my children and grandson mean the world to me and I do all I can to love them well. But I struggle to love myself the same way I love them..I’ve been seeking to do that more and more…:but whenever I’m asked this question I just have no idea. How do you find what you love? I’m so much more acquainted with what I don’t enjoy than with what I love. I would love some guidance of how this 61 year old working woman can discover for herself what she truly loves? I see others do what they love and I so envy them. Everything I try seems to not really capture my heart. Thank you for any guidance here.
I love art. I’m not a great artist, but I love to create mixed media pieces. The process of different techniques makes me feel relaxed and at peace, whether it’s working with texture paste and a painting knife or pasting different papers and items onto a collage. Crafting and creating is me at my most inner core.
I love so many things in the world. Writing. Drawing. Watching and performing theater. Hikes in the woods and walks in the park. Baking bread and eating it with good friends. Throwing parties and seeing people connect with each other. I think everything comes down to connection and beauty— all of these things create the links between us and others. I struggle, though, with 1) actually doing these things instead of numbing or wasting time, and 2) valuing them as things the world truly needs.
I love the feeling of loving. I had been really getting after myself these past weeks, turning the powerlessness and grief I felt for the crises and suffering affecting so many communities im this world, into anger against myself for my privilege and inadequate action.
But the past few days, I have been able to break through that thinking. I committed to calling myself back to me, to my life, to here, to now. loving myself again has been feeling so incredibly good, and I know I am much more powerful in this space, than when I have disconnected from myself. I love loving myself, committing to it, practicing it all throughout the day. Somehow there is a disconnect in my brain that tells me I cannot care about, support, and validate other AND care about, support, and validate myself. But I know I must learn to love in both directions at once.
I love teaching, but I believe teaching doesn't love me back. It may be time to find a new love, but it comes back to purpose. This is what I know, I was proposed to do, so I'll keep doing what I love in spite of the negative impact it has on my well being.
I guess in that light I love finding beauty and noticing the little things like out on a walk yesterday finding an intact acorn with his little top on and a beautiful fall leaf…tucking them into my pocket and bringing them home took me back to a childhood with my pockets full of treasures like rocks and feathers and leaves. Maybe it’s that I always think of that question in terms of my work since I tend to have jobs that I don’t love at all…maybe it’s just finding the little ways I love myself that matter most. I was sad yesterday and decided to actually hold myself and comfort myself with sweet words like I would to my children or grandson and let myself know …or rather let my sadness know it wasn’t alone. I was going to be there with it and keep it company…I cried and felt so companioned…I guess that’s another thing I love. Thank you for this question today that has me thinking much smaller about some of the little things I love.
I love to enjoy time with my family. I love to help people at work as a legal assistant who works with veterans and the elderly. I love to share ideas and thoughts by writing occasionally. I have always thought that being a writer in some form would be my "dream" but I am realizing more and more that it is just a part of who I am and maybe I need to stop thinking of that as a someday big dream and realize it is a right now small part of my bigger picture.
I love learning people's stories, hearing their heart & encouraging them in who they are. My favorite thing is a 3 hour coffee or lunch date where I sit and listen and affirm. There are other things I enjoy (nature, baking, photography & scrapbooking) but I've really come to understand 1-1 connection is where I thrive.
For 30+ years I have LOVED what I do for work. I have felt called and energized and part of people's stories. People often say to me, when I tell them what I do for a living, how hard the work must be. And yes, it is hard. But I have been given all that I need to do another day. Tears and smiles and loss and grief and being found and joy and change and strength and wisdom and stupidity and insight and snuggles, and, and, and...did anyone know that there was so much to be had? How did I get so lucky? All the rest of my life is in sync with this thing that fills me. My family. My home. Other passions and loves and things to expend energy on. I believe in God and I believe that God has called me to this and that He has made me to do this thing. I am so blessed and I know it. It makes me humble (hopefully!) and thankful. So thankful.
The interesting thing for me, with this question, is that I am coming into those transition years - between mid-50's and retirement. Although I still love my job, it does require a lot of energy and I'm getting old-er! My focus has been in training up the young in the way that they should go and figuring out what is next as I start to let go. What will be the next thing that I love, that can contribute to the world and feed my soul? What will it be that keeps me passionate and humble? How can I best grieve the inevitable loss of what has been for so long? I am looking forward (with hope and anxiety!) to the answers that God will provide for me. He did a wonderful thing when he gave me my "first love" and I'm looking forward to the next phase of my journey around the sun!