Book: "Let Your Life Speak: Listening to the Voice of Vocation" by Parker J. Palmer
Path to Discovery: Jake Jacobs facilitated a dialogue based on this book during a Pepperdine MSOD reunion weekend several years ago. I put it on my "future books to read" list. I finally read it one day when I found myself staring down a barrel loaded with questions about my own path.
Parker J. Palmer's line of thinking reminds me of James Hillman's "The Soul's Code," another inspiring book about honoring the acorns of our potential.
The essence of this book is that we each have a life within us that wants to speak - and that is speaking. In the fullest sense, when we live into our calling, we are letting our lives speak through everything we do or say. If we are not living out our calling, our actions and words are still speaking - even to say "no." When we listen and observe our own past actions, our words, and our emotions, we can see clues to who we are, and who we are meant to be.
When seeking our path, it may feel righteous to first ask the outside world what it needs. But Palmer suggests starting inside, with ourselves - rather than outside, with the world. Trying to offer what we believe others need without regard to our unique gifts and loves can lead to betrayal - of ourselves, and ironically of others. In our seemingly valorous attempts to serve, we end up with a hollow, half-hearted offering and our own true talents stay hidden. Someone, somewhere is missing out because our unique gift is not given.
Our first question then becomes, "What unique capabilities, gifts and loves do I have?" We review our own past actions - honestly - for clues about our strengths, limitations, and passions. We pay attention to our current feelings and thoughts. When we speak to others out loud, we listen to what we are saying. When we speak advice to others we may be speaking to ourselves. Once we know ourselves, we can then find who and what in the world will most greatly benefit from our gifts.
Amidst a frustrating and seemingly fruitless search for his path, Palmer asked a longtime Quaker for advice on how to find your way. She said that in her long life, way had never opened for her. "But a lot of way has closed behind me, and that's had the same guiding effect." When paths close, we can see this as an invitation to a different path.
In order to gain insight into his path, Palmer opened himself up to personal inquiry in a Quaker clearness committee. For several hours, fellow Friends asked him questions about a potential job opportunity. He sailed through the technical questions effortlessly. But when one person asked what he would like about the new job, he was stymied. His only answer was hollow. He realized he was not expecting to love the work! Our hearts point our way to our vocation.
In brief: What did I take to heart?
(A few things I want to remember - not a summary of the whole book)
(A few things I want to remember - not a summary of the whole book)
Parker J. Palmer's line of thinking reminds me of James Hillman's "The Soul's Code," another inspiring book about honoring the acorns of our potential.
The essence of this book is that we each have a life within us that wants to speak - and that is speaking. In the fullest sense, when we live into our calling, we are letting our lives speak through everything we do or say. If we are not living out our calling, our actions and words are still speaking - even to say "no." When we listen and observe our own past actions, our words, and our emotions, we can see clues to who we are, and who we are meant to be.
When seeking our path, it may feel righteous to first ask the outside world what it needs. But Palmer suggests starting inside, with ourselves - rather than outside, with the world. Trying to offer what we believe others need without regard to our unique gifts and loves can lead to betrayal - of ourselves, and ironically of others. In our seemingly valorous attempts to serve, we end up with a hollow, half-hearted offering and our own true talents stay hidden. Someone, somewhere is missing out because our unique gift is not given.
Our first question then becomes, "What unique capabilities, gifts and loves do I have?" We review our own past actions - honestly - for clues about our strengths, limitations, and passions. We pay attention to our current feelings and thoughts. When we speak to others out loud, we listen to what we are saying. When we speak advice to others we may be speaking to ourselves. Once we know ourselves, we can then find who and what in the world will most greatly benefit from our gifts.
Amidst a frustrating and seemingly fruitless search for his path, Palmer asked a longtime Quaker for advice on how to find your way. She said that in her long life, way had never opened for her. "But a lot of way has closed behind me, and that's had the same guiding effect." When paths close, we can see this as an invitation to a different path.
In order to gain insight into his path, Palmer opened himself up to personal inquiry in a Quaker clearness committee. For several hours, fellow Friends asked him questions about a potential job opportunity. He sailed through the technical questions effortlessly. But when one person asked what he would like about the new job, he was stymied. His only answer was hollow. He realized he was not expecting to love the work! Our hearts point our way to our vocation.
I read this book one night in one sitting, from afternoon, through sunset, to darkness. As I read, alone in front of a window, I felt myself becoming quieter, accessing that place of truth within. A new perspective opened up for me about the parts of the hero's (heroine's) journey that are behind me, and how they offer insight into the adventure opening before me.
Writers, poets, and playwrights have all spoken to this over the centuries. Each of us has a unique gift to offer, to live out. If we try to live according to someone else's prescription, our unique voice may be lost - or our own stifled voice may find painful ways to cry out "wrong way!" Follow your own path.
Writers, poets, and playwrights have all spoken to this over the centuries. Each of us has a unique gift to offer, to live out. If we try to live according to someone else's prescription, our unique voice may be lost - or our own stifled voice may find painful ways to cry out "wrong way!" Follow your own path.
What questions am I left pondering?
- In the weeks after reading this book, I found myself especially aware of my own breath and the spaciousness around it. Presence opens us up to in-the-moment opportunities to let our lives speak - and to support others in letting their own lives speak.
- Daily self-reflection (journalling) questions:
- How did my life speak, today? What supported me to let my life speak?
- How did I support others in letting their lives speak?
- What did I learn about my path from listening to my life speak?
© 2015 Kristen Lee. All rights reserved
