Unfold Your Wings and Watch Life Take Off

Part 2 - Your Potential

Your Potential Is As Unique As You Are

If we are to offer ourselves to the limitless ocean of life then we need to acknowledge that our destiny is an individual one. There is no prescription. What is right for one person at any one time is not necessarily right for another. This is because our guided life mirrors our relationship to the call and the call speaks to each of us with a unique message.

One of the most wonderful characteristics of living a guided life is its surprise element. From the age of 12 all I wanted to be was an architect. I realized my dream and might have spent my whole working life in the profession had I not decided to follow my star. When I was 30 I changed to become a self-employed management consultant. When I was young I had never dreamed I would be a management consultant. I was genuinely surprised to find that I made a much better management consultant than architect! Then I went on to lecture in personal development at Queen's University. I am 44 now and I am working as an author writing this book. When I was younger I never dreamed I would ever be an author. Each time I have made a change like this, I have been delighted to find I could do the work and that I enjoy the work much more than my previous occupation. This has happened of course because I am leading a life devoted to my inner call.

For those in a relationship, each partner will have their own call and their own destiny. However it is in the nature of a relationship that destinies are shared. For a successful relationship it is preferable that those parts that are shared are discussed and agreed together before being implemented. (See Your Calling Helps You Understand Relationships).

	UNFOLDING YOUR WINGS
It is an advantage to have a major project at the heart of your relationship that you both care about and to which both can contribute. For a time raising your children might be your joint project, however this will only be a temporary phase of your marriage. There will come a time when it is healthy and natural for you both to move on. A suitable project might be the husband's, or wife's work, in which the partner could be involved in a supporting role, or a joint project like a shared business venture. If you are established in separate careers you might have a shared voluntary or charity project that means a lot to both of you. This project will create a shared destiny and will help hold things together when other more peripheral issues are in conflict.

If you want to support others in realising their potential be aware that it is misguided to try and coax others to take up this path or that cause. By cajoling people in this way you are only taking them away from their own calling. To many people coaxing others is a sign of concern and friendship. However such behaviour only reflects our own insecurities about the path we have taken in life and our lack of understanding about the call. It is preferable to draw out their interests, inclinations and skills rather than attempt to foist our ideas on them. This is especially important when we are raising our children.

Envoi

My friend seeks my advice.
She is lost
"Show me my potential," she pleads?
She seems so helpless.

It is tempting to tell her.
She wants me to tell her,
But I know she must find the way for herself.
Despite her pleading I keep silent.

Acknowledging my silence she turns inward.
She turns inward to her calling.