Lately I have been spending considerable time - quite possibly altogether too much! - contemplating the idea of vocation. This has something to do with the looming decision of whether - and where - to attend law school this fall. The factors that come into play here are enough to give me an ulcer just listing them: God, finances (gulp), passions, career goals, prospective regions to settle down in, proximity to family and friends, and the extremely pleasant complication of my partner and our valiant attempt to locate a common journey forward. Law school comes with a heavy price tag: not only tuition (eep!), but time, energy, and resources. How can I be sure than I am making a wise, balanced decision? Am I motivated by a passion for truth, justice, and a desire to do good work in the world, or by the idea of a certain income, lifestyle, or glamour factor?

As Quakers, we have both the duty and the privilege of thinking differently - radically, totally differently - about the work we do in the world. For us, there is no option of a mere daily grind, no spending eight hours a day doing any-old-task that pays the bills. We are called to consider our work (whether paid, volunteer, or personal) as integrated elements of a passion-filled, intentional vocation. But how do we move from a secular orientation to the career life towards a more holistic, spiritual assessment of how we are called to serve?

For me, I start with the practice of introspection and silence. I am trying to listen to my heart and locate its true passions. Gentle narcissist that I am, I can rattle off a few of my obvious gifts: I love writing, texts, rules, grammar, detail, arguing, and winning (you can see the appeal the legal profession holds for me). But I must take inventory of my frailties, as well: I am shy, emotionally fragile, somewhat insecure, and chronically indecisive; none of these things are remotely helpful for a prospective lawyer.
From there, I consider how both these strengths and these, um, non-strengths might be signs of what God has intended for me to do in the world. I don't believe that there is one "calling" for each of us (although that would certainly make things easier, wouldn't it?). Rather, I think we can find meaning and satisfaction in a multitude of roles and careers; we are given the choice of where and how to apply ourselves, and the freedom to pursue many avenues of engagement.

Finally, I like the idea that a vocation is holistic, a 'life's work' and not simply a way to pass 8 hours a day (or 12; see 'legal profession', above). Whether I am a CEO or a burger-flipper, I can embody the Quaker principles of vocation by serving with integrity and love. And what I do from 9-5 is only a small part of the life I live in the world, which is completed and augmented by my commitments to faith, community, family, and the world.

I will close by asking you to weigh in on the idea of vocation. What does this mean to you? Is there something particularly Quaker, or particularly religious at all, about your formulation of this concept? How did you or do you arrive at your vocational calling?