Finding One's Self Through Service

"...my calling all comes down to how I am able to serve humanity."

Mojdeh Sami has done and been a lot. Here she shares all the twists and turns that have led her to an increased understanding of her purpose and service.

 

When asked to write an article about finding and financing my true calling, I was initially hesitant to accept the invitation.  The reason: I was not certain I had found my career calling.  Upon further reflection I realized that perhaps my “calling” is not limited to one path, job or career; perhaps I have been called upon to find and create new ways to “think…at all times of rendering some service to every member of the human race.” 

As a child of tender years I dreamed of being a school teacher.  Throughout my schooling this dream evaporated.  In college I studied Public Relations and Marketing.  It was during my internship and a year of doing volunteer service in South Africa that I came to see the reality of the world of commercial advertisement and television.  At the ripe age of twenty years, I had dreams of transforming the public relations field – through my idealism, faith and charismatic dynamism!  By twenty-one years, I was exposed to the cut-throat reality of the industry.  There may well have been opportunities for me to change the public relations world as I am sure many have; the drive to climb that ladder was simply not in me.

Returning from my year of volunteer service, I found that living a life of service was my true calling.  I had learned that no matter what job I am engaged in at any particular time in my life, serving humanity is my genuine passion.  Subsequently, I did earn my early childhood certificate of education and proceeded to teach.  When the door opened, I put my faith in God and my foot in the door and everything seamlessly fell into place.  I was a teacher – a good one at that – and had the school schedule which allowed me much time off to serve my local community. 

When I felt the urge to experience life in the big city I moved to Seattle.  There, I landed a job at one of the largest companies in the city, working in corporate real estate as a financial analyst.  Though I had no training or experience in the field, I was offered the job and proceeded to do the work of two people on my own.  Even though the job did not provide the stimulation I would have desired in a career, numbers come naturally to me and the opportunity allowed me to serve my community in several capacities simultaneously due to the flexible work schedule. 

After nearly eight years of corporate work, I needed a change.  I spent a month traveling throughout Asia, returned to work and gave my notice.  It felt like the perfect opportunity to rediscover opportunities to serve and share with others the Baha'i Faith. I decided to branch out of my social network and enter the world of local coffee shops and baristas. Two months later, in early September, I had an urge to find out about opportunities in neighborhood schools, knowing that the education of children is a noble and praiseworthy career.  The thought came to mind and I prayed that God show me the way I could best serve Him when I was contacted by a school director whom I had never met.  She asked me to come in for an interview and immediately made me an offer.  I started teaching four days later on the first day of school.

This summer I had the bounty of visiting Haifa, Israel, the spiritual and administrative center of the Baha'i Faith, for an extended period of time.  Volunteering in various departments and praying to God to lead me to the path He deems best again brought forth fruits for which I could not be more grateful.  Only one week ago, I began a new journey in my plethora of callings and am now consulting in the training and development department of one of the largest corporations in the world. 

Ultimately, what I’ve learned is that my calling all comes down to how I am able to serve humanity.  It can be done in more ways than one can imagine!  When you set your heart on doing God’s bidding and giving in to His will you will find clarity in your path and the resources will be made available – however mysteriously.  Truly, I have learned that in service and faith the "best of men are they that earn a livelihood by their calling and spend upon themselves and upon their kindred for the love of God."

 

Comments

[Billy]

Wow, thanks for writing this all down and explaining the principles behind what looks chaotic on the surface. Our lives seem like whorls of smoke without any pattern until we understand the heat that is moving them.

[Nelli]

Great article Mojdeh! You are truely a free spirit and a "hallow reed"- a great inspirations to those of us who have the bounty of being around you! :)

[Julie]

I love this! I totally agree that our calling is a mysterious thing and includes how we interact with others, what we care about in this world, and how we authentically express our gifts. Thank you for your service of being you!