Comments on: Wounds + Authentic Makeup = True Calling

By: Jenn Z

Jenn Z — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:23:50 +0000

Tom, I love this blog! Wow! I’m not sure which is my favorite part for it resonated so beautifully within and I have much to think about… If I was to have one takeaway though it would be this:

[Perhaps your one true vocation calls you like no other because no other could have felt your pain like you have.]

thank you for this.. as I’m trying to find my authentic voice and speak up about that which felt so hidden even raw sometimes..

luv Jenn
.-= Jenn Z´s last blog ..Aww.. The Beauty of a New Year Threshold =-.

By: Tom Volkar

Tom Volkar — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:12:23 +0000

Susan – Welcome. It’s an honor to have you join us. Yes I agree those wounds while engaged on our path do cut the deepest but are never mortal. They always give me pause for deeper reflection. It’s an endless well. I’m pleased to meet another on the journey.

By: SusanJ

SusanJ — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:29:04 +0000

I love this connection you’ve made between the wounds and true callings, I totally agree. I sometimes think that the wounds that cut the deepest are the very ones that happen when we’re engaged in what we love the most.

James Hillman talks about this paradox in The Soul’s Code, where he says that we’re challenged (and wounded) in exactly the areas where we’re called to go deep.

And I totally agree with Chris, I’ll take the roller coaster any day!
.-= SusanJ´s last blog ..The War of Art Revisited… =-.

By: Stacey Shipman

Stacey Shipman — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:48:34 +0000

Amen. I would not be where I am without the pain and joy I experienced growing up…both are critical and over the years I have learned to embrace them. Onward in 2010.

By: Jannie Funster

Jannie Funster — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:26:39 +0000

“Our less than encouraging childhoods…”

Have we ALL had childhoods to run from?, I sometimes wonder. Surely there is someone out there who had an ideal one? There must be.

I dunno, still I am curious to see who, if anyone, had nothing but cartwheels and bliss 24 / 7 growing up. Do you think there could be such people who exist? And are they happier than the rest of us?

Just wondering.
.-= Jannie Funster´s last blog ..Getting To Know Him… Getting To Know All About A Wonderful Blogger. =-.

By: Tom Volkar

Tom Volkar — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:16:13 +0000

Christa – A good bitch slapping or in my case a forearm shiver is what we need sometimes to wake up. I love your images and devil may care attitude. Keep pushing those boundaries. You’re admired for it.

Keena – Thank you. Yes It’;s all good? It’s all good! it’s all good and it’s all God! Appreciation can save the world from its pain and misery.

Chris – I’ve been risking so often and failing so spectacularly for so long that I can’t even recall blandness. Yes shame and fear of embarrassment still grabs hold of me often but what a glorious grip it is to have lived in the arena and survived the sword of truth.

By: Chris Edgar

Chris Edgar — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:17:16 +0000

Hi Tom — that’s something I’ve noticed in myself as well, and in those I’ve worked with — that doing something that really lights us up is almost certainly going to trigger old shame and fear. But I’ll definitely take that kind of rollercoaster over blandness.

By: Keena

Keena — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:10:28 +0000

Tom,

This is such a great concept. We don’t often think that our pain is valuable and such a part of who we are.

And in this world of duality I think it helps us appreciate the good things – and appreciate just what our true calling could mean to us if we accept its challenge!

Blessings,
Keena
.-= Keena´s last blog ..Develop your intuition with meditation =-.

By: Christa

Christa — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 22:39:22 +0000

You wrote: What’s really good for you is even better for humanity.

Praise Jesus, Buddha and Cap’t Crunch for that one Tom. I agree!

I didn’t see your Wounds + Authentic Makeup = True Calling post until I finished my latest piece, Bitch Slappin’ My Funny. I wrote: “I can’t really help or inspire anyone. All I can really do is help myself – that is, focus on the “I” and everything else will (I hope) fall into place.”

I dunno if I want to embrace my wounds – prefer some days to bitch slap them but why worry. Why ask why?

As my favorite patron saint of cartoons once said: “Don’t take life too seriously. You’ll never get out alive.” — Bugs Bunny
.-= Christa´s last blog ..Bitch Slappin’ My Funny =-.

By: Tom Volkar

Tom Volkar — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:41:28 +0000

Walter – That’s an interesting take. I think we all do have one true purpose and that’s to experience joy. Perhaps we’d be there by both being and doing our best. I think that expressing our true calling can be challenging and messy and even dark at times. I know I live and work my calling daily and I often fall short of my best. But I’m alive in the arena bloodied and all and it feels great.

Henie- It’s always great to hear form an old friend. I like your star/scar choice – very profound. Be well and be strong!

Rose – Welcome. Yes you and I and all of us have had our challenges and yet we still stand and serve. That’s life. So glad you resonate with my outlook. Bless you.

Egbert – Love you back bold one. You certainly know about pain and how to face it. I’m honored that you’d visit and take the time to reflect on my words. Here’s to facing pain forever and moving through the mud. Thank you.

Paul – Welcome. Yes the perspective of reflecting on pour past troubles is huge and important. I agree with you, we are blessed and responsible for both our prosperity and for keeping our eyes wide open to challenges around the globe. We need to do what we can with what we have. That’s why I love the responsibility of loaning money to third world entrepreneurs through Kiva.

J.D. – Yes and it’s a recurring theme that draws me in every time whether it be movie or book.