“A man’s calling is written on his true heart, and he discovers it when he enters the frontier of his deep desires,” writes John Eldredge in his book Wild at Heart. For someone searching for their true calling, the words of the bestselling author can show where one has to look—inside. But contemplation alone can’t help you understand what your heart desires. Finding your passion requires hard work, dedication, and perseverance. It is a test of time, after all, that many fail to withstand, as they either give up midway or decide to settle with what little life has to offer.
Imagine if we were born with a manual where our passions and desires were written, along with the instructions on how to achieve them. Life would have been much simpler, and you, a lot happier. Sadly, that’s not how life works, but it doesn’t mean you can’t find your true calling. It is a journey with unexpected dead ends, detours, trenches, but no shortcuts. One needs clarity and courage to take this road less travelled. Soulveda brings you the story of four troopers who pursued their true calling despite the odds and uncertainties—by taking tough decisions and making choices they do not regret.
Murali Rx, Head Coach, Mysuru Warriors
When I was in seventh grade, I saw a first-class cricket match between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. As a child, that was when I fell in love with the sport. I wasn’t very good at studies, but I was good at cricket—I invariably scored more runs than others in school matches. Hence, I decided to become a full-time cricketer. But when the coveted first-class tag eluded me, I took to coaching. I completed the relevant courses and acquired enough knowledge to coach elite players. As with any profession, coaching opportunities were quite inconsistent—one very good contract would be followed by none. And so, I quit coaching in 2007 and went back to a business that I had started in 2004.
The business was doing well, and I was making money. But I was not at peace. So, in 2009, when I got a call to coach a team in the Karnataka Premier League, I grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Winning the inaugural KPL tournament with the team rekindled my passion for cricket. I eventually decided to start my own cricket academy. What I’ve realised is that when you do what you love the most, every day becomes a joyful experience; life is full of energy. Of course, there will be ups and downs like in any other career. But your passion will keep you motivated to overcome all the obstacles.
Tony Pius, Physician and Bharatanatyam Dancer
In my opinion, true calling is not a destination but a journey; wherein we discover who we are every day. As of now, I have a list of things I want to accomplish in life, and I am fighting against all odds to achieve them. Meanwhile, I am also learning more about myself every day. I’m following my passion for dance which could quintessentially be described as ‘out-of-the-box’, but I would say that I am yet to decipher my life’s purpose.
To be honest, following my passion feels great on some days, but extremely frustrating on others. Frustrating because life as an artiste isn’t easy. It involves a lot of struggle. I have struggled in the past, I am struggling now, and I will struggle in the future as well. So, I don’t know whether the struggles will ever end. But whenever I see the fruit of my hard work, especially after I’ve put in a lot of effort, I feel euphoric. In those moments, I realise that I should keep moving forward in pursuit of my dreams, without looking back.
The motivation to push myself beyond my boundaries came from the animals I met at CARE. Each one of them has a story of courage under fire.
Finding your true calling requires hard work, dedication, and perseverance. It involves looking within yourself, exploring your passions and desires, and being open to a journey of self-discovery.
Pursuing one’s true calling can be challenging and may involve struggle, uncertainty, and difficult decisions. There may be financial constraints, societal expectations, and doubts to overcome.
Passion is a driving force in pursuing one’s true calling. It can help you stay motivated and overcome obstacles on your journey.
Following your true calling can have a profound impact on your life and happiness. It can lead to a sense of purpose, fulfilment, and personal growth.
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