To what should I dedicate myself - Essay Example

Vocational calling: A Youthful Account Vocational calling: A Youthful Account Those entering the American labor market will tellyou of different experiences and resultant outcomes with regard to their job searching ventures. The earlier times of our parents and ancestry, are different from contemporary society where the American economy has been influenced and hence shaped by trends and the resultant employment patterns, which support it. With such change in accordance with Wuthnow’s perspective, change in the economy has advanced hand in hand with changing American views/ perspectives as to their work and its fundamental standing in life.

Unfortunately, the negative American aspect of wanting it all in everything has created problems, the economic situation of a majority notwithstanding. During young adulthood, the presence of uncertainty is seen is best espoused in terms of work issues and the relevant interpersonal commitments. A majority of youth often postpone on making decisive life choices, instead opting for the future to unveil itself. With both mobility and flexibility in one’s youthful life, persons can devote themselves to greater causes, whose importance and scope is globally impacting (Wuthnow, 2006).

In relation to gender dimensions as pertaining to employment opportunities, Addams’ Filial Relations (1902) espouses a need for conscious positive roles of women in articulating their political and social attitudes, outside their more traditional roles familial roles and interests. Thus aside from participation in a legal entity’s political sphere, she was of the view that women are entitled to both economic and social independence (democracy). Thus, as work and vocation may not be entailing the same sphere of activity or profession, ‘work’ refers to the professional activity which may involve one’s utility of both physical and mental effort to achieve a result, purpose or goal.

‘Vocation’ on the other hand, refers to the presence of a powerful feeling in reference to suitability of a particular occupation of professional career. Being a young unemployed Muslim youth, and having studied at a Catholic school, I would like to channel my life towards doing good deeds, the religion or creed notwithstanding. Sometimes it is difficult to make decisions on handling certain matters because of the positions that religion instructs us to do. However, there are certain issues that one must make his or her personal decision without having to include religion, for instance, the decision I took to study in a catholic school (Addams, 1902/ 2006).

As pertaining to the above information, I would articulate my personal vocation/ calling as being an important youthful life decision, which would entail both a great deal of flexibility and mobility on my part towards my devotion towards a greater cause – being an agent of positive or good change, in the contemporary society. The greater good being fundamental to globally impacting changes, the sex/ gender of fellow workers would not be an issue educated by the fact that I am not mindful of the religious affiliation of any of my potential future teammates/ workmates.

By finding balance between existent family and the greater society’s relationships in relation to my vocational calling, I would be able to provide a balanced account of my life, as it positively affects the greater society. Family issues are as important as societal issues because families are smaller units of the society. This means that family and society must go hand-in-hand in considering my vocational calling. By living a lifestyle guided by positive attributes and significance as espoused by practical applications as regarding personal issues of career choice, I will endeavor in my vocational inclination.

This choice, being my own decision, and not a forced opinion, I plan to aid not only the immediate members of family/ relations, but also the larger society (Hardy, 1994). By living a fulfilling/ adequate life, without the luxuries and extravagance of contemporary society, I pick this calling/ vocation not necessarily based on my needs or those of the ones I care for, but on a greater calling, which entails the struggle of ‘Good’ over ‘Evil’ in contemporary society. Sometimes people must forfeit putting self or family issues in front of them so that they can be able to do good for society.

One has to forget about personal needs and focus on the greater good. As Campbell (2008), would put it, the necessity of interfaith dialogue and living between the different volunteers who embark on their vocational callings is vital. With a diversity of communities present in the American society, best espoused in the variants of neighborhoods present, there is a critical need for me and other similar minded individuals to be better social neighbors, leading by example and at the same time learning from the same society (Campbell, 2008).

In conclusion, by being genuine in both our lives and conversations espousing the prevalent circumstances in society, people are able to go on in not only the enhancement of their professional/ work life, but also their vocational calling. Of vital importance is the overall good of human society as different personalities provide the much needed time and resources in promoting social good and interactivity. I have a vocational calling that mandates me to put all that might prevent me from doing good deeds for society even if it is for personal gain.

References Addams, J. (1902/ 2006). Filial Relations. In J. Addams, Democracy and social ethics (eds.) (pp. 71-101). New York: Harvard University/ Macmillan Co. Campbell, W. (2008). Vocation As Grace. In J. Y. Campbell, Callings! (ed.) (pp. 105-125). New York: Paulist Press. Hardy, L. (1994). Making the Match: Career Choice. Cambridge, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans. Wuthnow, R. (2006). The Changing Nature of Work in the United States: Implications for Vocation, Ethics and Faith. In D. C. Mark R.

Schwehn, Leading Lives That Matter: What We Should Do And Who We Should Be (p. 255). Cambridge, Michigan: Wiliam. B. Eerdmans .