Adjusting the Lense

I can’t even say now what it was that triggered, only that sometime last night or early this morning the black box of my subconscious popped up a new insight about my vocational struggle like a golden-brown piece of toast.

(  To recap the issues: )

(  And then I listen again to what I say I want: )

So where does this leave me?

How about becoming a Spiritual Director? Not a clinical psychologist, not a pastor, but someone who is a “spiritual companion” helping others along their spiritual journey. My school of theology has a Master of Arts in Transforming Spirituality, which requires about a third fewer credits than the M.Div., but the same core classes, which is the academic path to proficiency in this area.

Why didn’t I do that in the first place? Because when I was doing my initial discernment/vocational discernment, I didn’t recognize it as an option. Maybe also I was still under the influence of my childhood expectation of being in a traditional profession.

Why might this be right? It eliminates the problems and concerns I was having on the M.Div. path, and it doesn’t involve starting over from scratch. I continue this journey, but on a slightly different heading. I can walk my own path, bearing the full riches of my wide-ranging journeys, without worrying about honoring and keeping within the limits and boundaries of a particular tradition.

More discernment will be needed, of course, but this feels like a big step in the right direction.

Thanks!

Thanks to everyone who pitched in to try to relieve my boredom yesterday!
It helped!

The Hanged Man

A day or two ago, in response to a comment left by gothic_coop I described my current situation as being in a "Hanged Man" kind of state.

I just visited Tarot.com and my card for the day was The Hanged Man. This is the description:

"Traditionally, the card known as the Hanged Man usually indicates a lack of ability to help oneself through independent action. This energy is arrested and awaiting judgment. With this card, there is no avenue for the will to regain control until the situation has passed.

"This represents a good time to be philosophical, to study and meditate upon the position you find yourself in, and form resolutions for the moment you become free again. Only those who possess wisdom, patience and optimism will be able to see through limitations, including possible humiliation, to grasp the inspiring lesson one can gain from such an experience."