How I Knew My Calling

My friend asked me – How did you know that writing’s your calling?

I didn’t. The calling found me.

Try a Bunch of Things – I had to try a few things before the calling struck me as the right one. Some people simply know. Others have to muddle their way through. I am a muddler.

Recognize the Thing you Like – I didn’t recognize it at first. Writing was just another thing I did because I had time to spare. I wrote the first short story for my two-year old. Ideas for more stories turned up. Then I liked it more. It fit my nature like a hand in glove and I was a better person when writing.

Work the Kinks Out. Better Still, Don’t Get Caught in One – I wrote for a few years. But when given a chance to do marketing, I took it after I made sure I would still be writing. My post graduation had been in management. For years, I had the niggling thought that I haven’t done that. Maybe I took it because I had to get the kink of management out of my system. Slowly, marketing took over and I was writing nothing at all. But, sanity returned and I found myself getting bored with marketing.

Your Calling Keeps Coming Back – For a While At Least – Meanwhile, writing receded to a deep corner. But opportunities kept coming once in a while. Writing didn’t let me forget it.

Plenty of Ways to make a Tough Choice Easy – Part-time, Night Time, Early Morn Time, Weekend Time – I tried them all. Then a day came when I had to make the choice – to stick with marketing and keep my financial life comfortable and stable. Or walk from it and do what I loved. Thank God, I walked – despite the uncertainty of not having money beyond six months and of not knowing if I’d ever get published.

Gives Happiness – I realize, the path is the destination.  I’ve been having the greatest time since I gave myself to writing kids’ stories. Success will come in its own sweet time. Or not.