What Does the Call Sound Like?

"It's the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen." - Muhammad Ali?

A calling can start with a nudge. It often manifests from an ordinary encounter. The feelings can happen when hearing about something on the news, witnessing something that doesn't sit well within us, or experiencing a personal thought or response requiring some investigation. It's a nagging feeling that stirs, grows, and starts consuming the mind. Ignoring this nudge causes discontent and frustration.?

Once a thought takes root, it begs to be investigated. It may suddenly seem like the calling presents itself everywhere. American philosopher William James said, "The first stage in the process is the realization that 'there is something wrong about us as we naturally stand.' Without this realization, nothing happens." This is where we may feel resistance. Being stretched can feel daunting and make us want to look away.?

This is why every hero's journey includes an internal battle where the hero must decide whether to answer or refuse the call to help. Author and professor Joseph Campbell wrote The Hero with A Thousand Faces to show how cultures across history and geographies face their calling similarly. He points out that every person is presented with a challenge at some point in their lives. After the initial nudge comes a desire to refuse the call; this fear or want to let someone else take care of it comes from self-doubt or anxiety.???

The turning point is when conviction starts overriding the fear of participating. The nudge turns into a strong belief that can no longer be ignored. This conviction provides the confidence to move forward with action and direction.

Declaration:?I will identify my calling and walk in my purpose