Word of the Week - Avocation

Events in my own life and those of some special people close to me, have given me pause to ponder the concept of vocation vs. avocation and what it means to truly love the work you do.

For many, the nature of work is just that, a chore or task to be completed, a means to an end.

For others it is a joy, a source of fulfillment and satisfaction, a true life's purpose.

This week I've been blessed with two days work teaching the most delightful little 5 & 6 year olds and next week I get to do an encore visit = yay! 

In between I may have Senior chemistry or maths students, feisty 12 year olds with plenty of swagger or a day of teaching music to multiple year levels.  It's all been within the scope of my experience as a supply teacher who is on a path of returning to fulltime work.

Today I also had a brilliant phone call from a colleague requesting my assistance with the development of an exciting 'Gifted Education' project and I'm very keen to get this rolling - yippee!

I've not been able to work for the longest time and so my appreciation for my vocation and the opportunity to flex my pedagogical muscles has been deep - of course the income has been handy too!

I was only thinking today about the time (not so long ago) when I considered doing something completely different. Something more creative, more collaborative, with flexible hours. A job that enabled me to indulge my hobbies of writing, photography, graphic design, art and colour.

I didn't know exactly what this 'something' was, I just knew that I had a yearning for 'more'.

Then events flipped my world on its head and I couldn't work.

Then there wasn't any work to do.

Now I find that I have a zing in my step when a 'work' day presents itself and I'm full of appreciation and energy for what I know is a vocation that I truly love.

As for that creative, collaborative project, my avocation, my hobby?

This blogging caper ticks both boxes resoundingly and I'm regularly inspired to try new ideas after reading your posts [thank you!].....and who knows where the creative trail may lead.

I like the following which is the final stanza from the poem "Two Tramps In Mud Time" by Robert Frost which you can read in full here....

But yield who will to their separation,

My object in living is to unite

My avocation and my vocation

As my two eyes make one in sight.

Only where love and need are one,

And the work is play for mortal stakes,

Is the deed ever really done

For heaven and the future's sakes.

In doing research for this post I came across the following information that made me think about the universal experience of 'vocation' and 'avocation' and how sometimes a person's avocation is the thing that orbits them towards fame or better still, deep fulfillment.

So there you have it, our word for this week 'avocation'.

I'd be tickled pink if you used it to 'zhush' up a post. 

I'm sure it could prompt some interesting discussion on your blog.

Happy day!