My Fall Reading – Embracing My Calling and My Job

I read through these books looking for inspiration for my fall semester and the start of the school year. I hoped to find some reasons why I do this difficult work. Some motivation to continue on with fortitude and grit.

So much of my work is invisible and long-term. It can be hard to see progress or results in the daily activities of motherhood, homeschooling, and writing. I need to lean on the wisdom of others to keep me moving forward into what matters to me.

Notes from Garden City – Work, Rest, and the Art of Being Human by John Mark Comer

John Mark Comer’s writing is so conversational I feel like he is speaking to me personally.

I reference his other book [The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer] in this article: The Overachiever’s Practical Guide to Sabbath: Why, How, & When.

There are so many things I love about his books. Before becoming a pastor, he spent some time in graphic design. You can see this in the way he structures his books and their design. I also enjoy the heavy use of footnotes and the paragraphs he includes of extra information in the back. While reading I am often flipping to the back to see what his insider comments will be. His writing is deeply rooted in the bible and yet his examples are so very relevant and current.

Here are some quotes that I hope you enjoy.

• “It takes time to figure out our gifting. And then years to develop it. … Every time you fail, throw a party – you just took another step forward in learning… you’re getting a clearer sense of your calling..” p.80
• “Is there something stirring in your heart that you feel like you just have to do? To let out? To try whether you succeed or fail. Is there something that you feel like God’s put in your head that one day you will stand in front of your Maker and answer for? ….If so, whatever that thing is, go do it..” p.87
• “The entire paradigm of the sacred and the so-called secular is seriously out of wack. …Jesus did not buy into sacred/secular thinking.” Jesus saw all of life as integrated and sacred because everything matters to God. p.95
• “Because so many people are blind to God’s glory, we, as God’s people, are to live in such a way that people start to see God’s presence and beauty.” p.118
• “I mean, what exactly is work? It’s harder to define that you would think. And its even more frustrating to define rest.” p.220
• “Learning a new rhythm is never easy, but it’s worth the effort. ….The Sabbath isn’t a cold, arbitrary rule we have to obey. It’s a life-giving art form that we get to practice.” p.226
• “Whatever you do… if you do it as an act of worship to God and an expression of love and service to humanity, that’s enough. …Our work in this life is practice for our work in the coming life.” p.257

[from Garden City – Work, Rest, and the Art of Being Human by John Mark Comer]

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My Calling – Writing

I have started this tumultuous journey of learning how to write for others. It is not a smooth path. It is a unique form of work that requires a steep learning curve. I am creating routines, learning new tech, making tons of mistakes, and gathering new skills. This takes a large chunk of creative energy and brainpower. So I choose a book that would inspire me and give me practical skills to keep moving forward.

Notes from Bird By Bird – Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

I enjoyed this book every day while on our long vacation in August. I used this book and Anne Lamott’s straight forward humor to bring me back to my love of writing. I had gotten bogged down in July spending so much time trying to write meaningful words. I was feeling overwhelmed with all I was trying to learn and apply.

This book brought me back to the basics of getting words on the page and not shooting for perfection.

Here are some quotes that I hope you enjoy.

• Getting started: “Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere. …What I’ve learned to do when I sit down to work on a shitty first draft is to quiet the voices in my head.” p.24
• On Making progress: “How do you know when you’re done? …Of course, there will always be more you could do, but you have to remind yourself that perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor.” p.87
• Practical advice: “So I keep trying gently to bring my mind back to what is really there to be seen, maybe to be seen and noted with a kind of reverence (and awe).” Our goal as writers is to help others see things anew. p.93
• “So much of writing is about sitting down and doing it every day.” p.142
• Morality: “To be a good writer, you not only have to write a great deal but you have to care. ...to be part of the solution.” Writers should “…believe in your position, or nothing will be driving your work.” p.100
• Writing for the long haul: “On a bad day you also don’t need a lot of advice. You just need a little empathy and affirmation.” p.148 (about writing groups)
• “The truth of your experience can only come through in your own voice.” p.186
• “…there can be a great deal of satisfaction in being a writer, in being a person who gets some work done most days…” p.201

[from Bird By Bird – Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott ]

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My job – Homeschooling

This fall season my goal was to embrace my work with fresh energy and perspective. I am worn down from experiencing burnout and so much frustration last year. I have been homeschooling for 12 years…! That feels like forever and yet there is still so much to learn and ways to do things differently.

Notes on The Call of the Wild + Free – Reclaiming Wonder in Your Child’s Education by Ainsley Arment

As summer was stretching into the school year, this became my book of choice. I always enjoy listening to the Wild + Free Podcast and purchasing their excellent resources. Of all the homeschool advice I have read and received this community is my favorite. I had tickets to attend the conference in California in October of 2020 but obviously, that was canceled.

The Wild + Free group actually began on Instagram as a way to connect with others and talk about the precious gift of childhood. You can see that theme woven throughout the book with beautiful photos. The images of real families homeschooling and living life drew me in and inspired me.

The four main sections of the book took me back to what really matters about homeschooling and motherhood. Ainsley Arment reminded me of why I set out on this path, to begin with. Why this matters to my family right now and for the invisible long-term.

Here are some great quotes:

• “But in reclaiming childhood, we are reclaiming motherhood as well – trusting our instincts and doing what’s best for our children, rather than what society says is normal or expected.” p.11
• “The blessing of homeschooling is that we can be a constant source of encouragement to our children, infusing them with confidence and focusing on their strengths, while simultaneously addressing their weaknesses with the positive tools we have available.” p.26
• Homeschooling raises the question of how children learn. “The homeschooling model says that children learn differently and thrive in an environment where they can go at their own pace, pursue subjects that interest them, and have the time and space to experience the wonder of childhood.” p.107
• “…learning is not a system, a methodology, or a checklist to get things done. It is an organic process that occurs when the conditions are right. Our role is part guide and part architect, creating an environment in which our children can not only grow but thrive.” p.154
• “Having healthy rhythms promotes peace in our homes, but it also speaks to our values. Our rhythm keeps us focused on what’s important.” p.189

[from The Call of the Wild + Free – Reclaiming Wonder in Your Child’s Education by Ainsley Arment]

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Questions

• What are you reading that inspires you to keep making progress in your job?
• What is your calling?
• What are you passionate about? What do you enjoy sharing with others?
• How to you collect the wisdom of others to keep moving forward?
• What tips and ideas are helping you make progress in difficult areas?
• Who do you turn to for advice in homeschooling?
• Where do you go to gather information on your career?

This article might help if you are feeling stuck defining the words career, hobby, job, or calling:

“Your writing can be a hobby, a job, a craft, or an activity for enjoyment. It can be whatever you want it to. Which can be very freeing but also very frustrating….” [read more – 5 Reasons Why Writing Can Feel So Lonely]

“A vocation is a calling, a divine invitation.. the highest pursuit.” This can live separately from income or attention from others. YouTube video: Elizabeth Gilbert on Distinguishing Between Hobbies, Jobs, Careers, & Vocation

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What are you reading this week?

What big ideas are you thinking about?

My hope for you is that you find those “just right” books that inspire you to continue on the path that you have chosen. Please send me your recommendations. I would love to hear what is in your fall reading stack.

Happy Reading! – April

Photos by  Ksenia Makagonova, Alisa Anton and others on Unsplash

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