Catalysts & Callings
What prompts us to change? Sometimes life delivers a swift kick that leaves us no choice. Other times, change whispers to us so quietly we almost miss it.
Let’s call the “swift kick” version of change a Catalytic Moment. A wildfire burns down your house. Your spouse moves out and files for divorce. You suffer a heart attack. In this type of scenario, the outside catalyst imposes itself on you, and then you have to deal with it (sometimes rather quickly). When catalytic change occurs, you can mark your life in terms of before and after the big event.
The quieter type of change - the one that you can miss if you’re not paying attention, is sometimes referred to as “Finding your calling.” In this scenario, you discover some insight about yourself and/or the world around you, landing you on a “big idea” that feels like it came out of nowhere, and could be really cool. People are called to religious missionary work. People are called to make the world more just, or fair. Some people are called to reduce the suffering of animals, or to preserve some endangered species. Whatever it is, the calling literally attracts you toward it.
Catalytic change is like a lightning bolt - it strikes with a lot of energy, and this energy transfers to you in some way. Sometimes it truly triggers one’s survival instinct. At a minimum, it shakes you out of whatever has traditionally felt “normal” and forces you to reexamine your base level assumptions, often taking quick action.
Callings are more subtle - like a tiny flame, fueled by just a bit of kindling and in need of protection. Shelter it from the wind, and continue to feed it larger and larger pieces of fuel. The energy behind the calling-directed change builds more slowly. During this ramp-up period, the world around us doesn’t yet know or acknowledge the epiphany that has occurred within you. You have to work on it in isolation before the world can see it.
So, catalytic change often provides us with the initial energy required to overcome the inertia of being at a standstill. Catalytic change gets us off of our ass. A calling is more like a magnet - attracting you to start walking a long path, but with a weaker overall force.
These two types of change are not mutually exclusive. The heart attack may spark a resolute commitment to healthy eating and exercise, culminating in significant weight loss and increased fitness. Then the calling can sneak in behind, motivating you to become mission-driven around helping others to reclaim their own health for the rest of your life.
I tend to prefer the idea of being calling-directed. I don’t like the idea of being pushed around by the universe. I like the version of change where we all have a high degree of agency, and self-awareness, and are working for something (rather than reacting in response to something).
I think the world would be a better place if more of us were operating in a calling-directed way. Call me a romantic. To quote the great cartoonist Bill Watterson: “To invent your own life’s meaning is not easy, but it’s still allowed, and I think you’ll be happier for the trouble.”
Maybe sometimes we need to get kicked in the teeth…who knows? Perhaps we should ask the Zen Farmer.
Sunday Supper
I made this Ham & Bean soup this past week, and it really hit the spot. I paired it with this cornbread recipe, with one modification: I preheated the cast iron skillet, then melted all the butter in the hot pan, pouring the cornbread batter right into the pan on the hot oil. This ensures a crispy crust, which I really like. This Crunch Salad looks great, too.
Sunday Music
This concert on KEXP by Noga Erez is a new discovery for me. This performance by Leon Thomas at the NPR Tiny Desk is also really groovy. Enjoy!
If you know anyone who might like this essay, please share it with them.
Have a great week ahead! Offer support to others. Make good use of this day. And let me know how I can help.
Peace & Love,