The Real Work

“It may be that when we no longer know what to do we have come to our real work and that when we no longer know which way to go we have begun our real journey.” —Wendell Berry

At mid-life or other watershed periods, many of us feel lost, confused, uncertain of the terrain ahead. Sometimes I turn to look back at the well-worn patterns of the more familiar past, and I know I can’t bring some of the old ways forward into the future. These times seems to call for a kind of rebirth.

I don’t have to totally leave my career or make a major geographical move in order to meet this challenge, but I can take stock of how I work and relate to others. I have to understand myself differently in the world. I can take the pressure off to prove my worth through work, since finally I know now that I'm worthwhile regardless of what work I do.

Becoming a new person inside, getting a clearer understanding of life’s priorities, is the road my changing body and soul must walk. I can no longer coast on the blissful ignorance of youth; now I must roll up my sleeves and use real, permanent,great inner resources —wisdom, faith, love—to live the rest of my life as honorably as I can.

Question: What Life Change brought with it a Rebirth?