What's Your Calling &Will You Answer?

What's Your Calling & Will You Answer

By Irma Givens

          I have had the fortunate opportunity to talk to many people about their passion, purpose, and calling. Many are still in search of theirs and seem to struggle with the uncertainty of when they'll know what it is.  I use to try to explain it in a long drawn out fashion, but recently, I was in the audience as Oprah described it as the whisper that has been there all along. YES, that's it! I used to refer to it as the constant tapping on my shoulder.  I literally felt like a gentle tapping on my shoulder followed by the thought of that thing that I was born to do.  The amazing thing is no matter how far I drifted from my purpose/calling I would always feel that tapping again.

          What is it that has been whispering or tapping on your shoulder?  Have you been able to simply ignore it?  I never was able to ignore it because I believe the tapping gets louder, over time, the more you ignore it.  In the beginning God gives us subtle reminders that he has given us a gift and would like for us to use it.  Then we ignore those reminders for one reason or another, but he is extremely persistent.  He will not leave us alone. He continues to remind us and if we continue to ignore him he will create a situation that will stop us in our tracks.  This situation will cause you to take a seat, think, regroup, scratch our heads, shed tears and pause for extended periods of time.

          For some of us we hear the whisper early on and try to follow it, but when it doesn’t work out as we thought it should the first time, we become frustrated.  Frustration is not a reason to give up on your calling. Keep in mind that it may not have been your time then.  Perhaps, you needed additional preparation.  Continue trying that thing until you get it done. All we need we already have.  He has equipped us to do what he has called us to do.    

          Are you stuck in a job, marriage, relationship, city, home, etc. that is no longer fulfilling for you? Ask yourself some tough questions and listen to that whisper for guidance.  What is it that you love to do?  What is it that you’re really good at?  Figure out how to turn that into service to others and you will be well on your way. Do you think that college majors are holding some people back from their true calling?  A large number of people are unable to secure employment in their chosen major but have no idea how they can have a meaningful career outside of that major.  Its true folks, often times the path that we took was intended for us to learn some specific lessons.  However, it may not be the path you were intended to stay on.  Keep moving…life’s a journey!

          I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this subject. Feel free to comment below. To inquire about events that I host or to book me for your next event, please email me at: DaughtersofDetroit@gmail.com or call 313-731-2464.

Home Is Where the Heart Is, But We Loss the House

by Irma Givens

There’s absolutely no question, the economy is tearing our lives apart. For many of us our house represents family, stability, love and it keeps us grounded. We wake up there every morning; we eat, laugh, cry, entertain, play and go to sleep there every night. It’s the one place that we get to lay down our troubles, block out the noise of the world around us and feel safe. So we rarely, if ever, give any thought to losing it. Many families remain in the same house while raising their children and no matter how far those children go, they always refer to that house as home.

I consider myself to have been blessed when I got my very first house. I guess you could say I was super blessed when I purchase each house after that one. I never took that for granted after all I was living the American dream. I was married; I had two children, the house, the dog, the white picket fence, the cars, the job and the business. My ducks were all in a row until tragedy struck. For some it maybe the loss of a job, the closure of a business but no matter what that tragedy is; it has now landed the house you call home on the line.

You find yourself upside down wondering how the hell you arrived or shall I say fell to this point. The most important question that many people find themselves asking is what am I going to do now. On that cold day when you learn that your house is actually in foreclosure it sends chills throughout your body whether you live in the tropics or the arctic. For me, I felt as though it was thee coldest day of my entire life. I remember sitting alone on the couch thinking after all my planning, all my accomplishments, after goal setting, after pushing myself ahead, after taking good care of my family, reaching out to uplift others, educating myself, there must have been something that I missed and I wanted to know what it was. I literally beat myself up repeatedly until the day came to finally move out.

Let me tell you that most of us become immobilized and we take no action until it’s time to pack every prized possession and go. We figure we don’t have the money to pay what the mortgage company is demanding; we can’t borrow it from anyone so we surrender and say it is what it is. Immediately make the tough phone calls and weigh your every option. Just remember, your sanity and physical health are worth way more than the house you’re trying to save. Don’t allow the overwhelming stress to get the best of you. Prepare yourself for the move because they may be your only way out. Hold your head high and march on soldier!

One thing I now know for sure is there is a divine plan bigger than any plan. It supersedes our plan and that God makes no mistakes. He moves us in the direction that he has prepared for us. Therefore, that house, whether made from wood construction or brick and mortar was the shelter that he prepared for you for that set time. Now, he needs to move you on. He has something greater planned for you in divine time. Just reach out to him, lean on him and listen to his word. When God tells us to move many times we second guess ourselves and try to justify remaining in our comfort zone. Society tells us that stable is sensible. God is god and he tells us to move for a reason. Remember when you were growing up and Mama said do something and you asked why? Mama would then come back and say when I tell you to move, you move and ask questions later or no at all. I adopted the mindset that God had another plan, he said move, I had to move and understand the why was none of my business. I just needed to be obedient. You gotta hear me now!!!! You must get this! Stop worrying about what is none of your concern. You cannot control everyone and everything. God will shake it up, turn it around and lay it all down in perfect divine order. Get out of the way and let transformation begin.

The second thing I know for sure is the house where love resides inside is home. Take the love and occupy the next dwelling. Be sure to take special care of all your blessings along the journey. It’s a way of showing gratitude. He’s brought you from a mighty long way and he will not leave out in the cold. The house does not make the home. A house is still a house when no one resides inside. Luther Vandross sang it best when he sang A House Is Not A Home. A chair is still a chair, even when there's no one sittin' there. But a chair is not a house and a house is not a home.

Copyright © 2010 Irma Givens

About Irma: Irma Givens shares her practical approach to transformation as an author, speaker, “Very Vital Vision” workshop facilitator and life coach who offers programs, products and events to empower women to lead and succeed. Irma helps people achieve their goals and dreams by getting their vision corrected. Here’s to your success! Visit: http://www.IrmaSpeaks.com.