Let Your Life Speak

So, a lot of my time this summer has been devoted to an internship I’ve been doing with my church (as well as a church trip to Morocco, but I will discuss that later).  One of the books that the pastor recommended that I read was “Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation.”  It is a book designed to help you figure out what you really want to do with your life and if what you’re doing is really in line with your “true self.”

The author recounts his own experiences and struggles, even to the point of clinical depression.  But, the main thing he emphasizes is ignoring social norms and constraints and instead searching ourselves for what we are really suited to do or be.  From our earliest years we are encouraged to do certain things, aspire to be certain people or work in certain professions in order to be “successful.”  Palmer, the author, however explains that true success lies in doing that which our true self calls us to be.  Instead of listening to voices from the outside, we should listen more closely to those coming from within us.

He makes the bold but true statement that despite what we are always told, we can’t do anyhing if we try hard enough.  Everyone has their own potentials and limitations; their own strengths and weaknesses.  We should learn not only from our strengths, but from our weaknesses as well.  We may be guided to our true vocation not only by doors that open in front of us, but also by the doors that close behind us.

There is a lot more the book covers that I can’t summarize in just a couple of paragraphs.  I would definitely recommend it to anyone; especially younger people who are still struggling with the idea of vocation as well as self-identity.  It is a quick read and sure to inspire thoughts that we may not have considered beforehand.