Commercial Story: Campbell Youth Theological Institute

This was my second year in a row being invited to the Campbell Youth Theological Institute (at Campbell University) to speak to some amazing teenagers about vocation as a business owner and living out your calling in a non-ministry job. This has been an evolving concept for me, the idea that my business is my VOCATION.... that it isn't just my job, but a way to live out my calling in the world.I fought that idea for a few years but always knew that was true.  And in the last three years, I've even come to embrace this idea and celebrate the ways that I find my divine calling and giftedness showing up in the ways I run my business. I have been honored to share that with teenagers who are asking really smart questions of themselves and others, thinking about their calling in the world, and encouraging each other in the process.I spent some time sharing my story, how I got to be doing what I am doing, and then talking about how most often your life story can point you in the direction of your calling and vocation. These students usually follow that time with the BEST questions that keep me on my toes. After that, I give them a couple of photographic assignments to go out and complete with the cameras on their cell phones. I also offer to photograph them as well, as we talk about how to establish trust with people in sharing your story.The stories that they shared with me in just the short time I had photographing them blew me away.  I was in tears and was so proud and laughed real good.