Accidental Apprenticeships

Nubble Light, Cape Neddick, ME - Cal Shook

“An accidental apprenticeship begins with listening to your life and paying attention to the ways in which you’re already being prepared for your life’s work.” – Jeff Goins

You are who you are because of your experiences.  Some are a result of the life you were born into; others are by choice.  As you listen to your life, patterns will emerge.

Life is happening all around you – explore its mysteries.  The answers are within reach, seek them out.
Answers to questions like:
What fuels your soul?
What are you drawn to?
What do you want to accomplish?
What are you here for?

Move into action by acknowledging your accidental apprenticeships.  Learn from them. Masters are the people in your life who have the skills and/or qualities that move you forward in fulfilling your life’s purpose?

“Every story of success is a story of community.  Although mentors are hard to come by, accidental apprenticeships are everywhere. Your life is preparing you for what’s to come.” Jeff Goins

Follow Your Dreams.

Author Elizabeth (Betty) Wilder and I met several years ago at York Ogunquit church.  During the time we've known each other, Betty has written her first novel, "The Spruce Gum Box" (at the age of 72), and two subsequent novels to finish the trilogy.  She is currently working on her forth book. Betty not only inspires me, she encourages all of us to follow our dreams and take action no matter what stage of life we’re at.

Betty keeps in touch with friends on Facebook by sharing her travels and current engagements.  She generously promotes other authors on Twitter.  It’s through her promotion of Jen Blood’s book, “All the Blue Eyed Angels,” that another accidental apprenticeship came into my life.

Connect with Others.

Jen Blood, author of the “Erin Solomon Mysteries” knows how to engage a social media audience with her personal and relatable style.

One of my favorite examples happened with her Facebook group called the “Erin Solomon Press Corps.” Jen asked us for help.  She wasn’t sure about the new cover design for “Southern Cross”.   A lively discussion followed, adaptations made, and a new cover design approved.  I enjoyed watching this process unfold.

Jen connects with others (her followers) throughout the week and offers a variety of promotions. When her name or group pops up, there’s a curiosity factor that’s hard to resist.

Putting it all together.

Elizabeth (Betty) Wilder and Jen Blood are two masters that I am grateful to be learning from.  The examples given are only a small glimpse into what I’m acquiring from both of them.

As I work my way through Jeff Goin’s book “The Art of Work,” I’m gaining new insights that are moving me forward as a writer.  These accidental apprenticeships are helping me do just that.

What are the accidental apprenticeships in your life?  How are you using them to move forward with your life’s purpose?

Next Steps
Read more about:
Accidental Apprenticeships podcast with “The Art of Work” author Jeff Goins
Elizabeth (Betty) Wilder at her author page: Elizabeth Wilder
Jen Blood at her author’s page:  Jen Blood     .
Check back next week for "Pushing Through the Pain."

Exploring the Writer Within

Explore - Long Sands, York, ME - Cal Shook

Be Aware – Listen to Your Life – Part 2

“You don’t ‘just know’ what you calling is. You must listen for clues along the way, discovering what your life can tell you. Awareness comes with practice.” – Jeff Goins

Clue #1: An Inner Yearning

When I was eight my cousin Mary Ann was born with Down syndrome.  A few weeks later my brother Jay was born.  There were complications, during delivery, where we almost lost both of them.  Days later, Mom and Jay returned home.  Mom’s recovery would take time; Jay appeared unharmed.

Both Mary Ann and Jay delighted me with their individuality and abilities as they grew. Mary Ann’s beautiful smile and laid back nature plus Jay’s zest for life and rambunctiousness made for unique play time experiences during family gatherings.  While observing the two of them something kindled inside of me, a yearning to help people thrive and use their abilities to a live a happy and fulfilling life.

Clue #2: A Desire

My first memory of writing:

While a single mom was out working, her three teenagers decided to have a party.  Beer was being passed around and at times wound up in the fish tank.  Note to self, don’t bring out a pocket sized pad of paper and pen in the middle of a party and start writing.  It makes people uneasy and you might not stay very long.

Clue #3:  Finding Meaningful Expression

College and working toward a degree in Human Services gave me ample opportunities to serve others then write about the experiences.  I enjoy the creative process.  When the words flow and provoke a reaction from a reader it stirs my soul.  It felt good to get comments like “a unique take” and “creative” in response to my papers.

One of my favorite people to work with and write about was “Berkie” who’s only home for the first 40 years of his life was a state institution.  Living conditions were deplorable. Thanks to deinstitutionalization, “Berkie” was sent to a group home.  This afforded him ample opportunities to gain social and work relate skills through field trips and attending a sheltered workshop. When I first met “Berkie” he could barely say “yes” and “no”.  As experiences heightened his emotions, more words started to come out.  “Tree”, “Chop”, and “Big” came out in joyous delight as he expressed his enthusiasm about his first Christmas tree.  Then there’s the riding stable where “Berkie” looked a bit nervous as he stared at the horse towering over his small frame. Two of us helped him on.  As his body slid into the saddle, he looked down and yelled, “Me Break Neck!”…“Me Break Neck!”. The horse was carefully moved forward and within minutes “Berkie’s” fear turned into joy.

Uncovering the clues: 1. An inner yearning to empower others, 2. A desire to record events, and 3. A pursuit of meaningful expression, have rekindled the writer within.

What is your life telling you?  Is there a writer in you? Maybe there’s something else waiting to burst forth?  Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Next steps:

Listening to Your Life audio podcast, with “The Art of Work” author Jeff Goins.

Check back next week for: “Accidental Apprenticeships” or "Subcribe" to this blog.

A Passion for Photography

Long Sands, York, Maine - Cal Shook

Be Aware – Listen to Your Life – Part 1

“Your life, though a mystery, is trying to tell you something. Are you listening?”  Jeff Goins

It’s Thanksgiving, the food is on the table and we’re ready to eat.  Dad grabs his camera.  We groan.  He carefully moves around the dining room table, as he makes adjustments on his camera. 

“Everyone look at me and smile,” he says. With a few re-positions, a little more prodding and several clicks later; he’s captured that Norman Rockwell moment he was looking for.

No matter where we went or what we did, Dad would bring out his camera.  As technology made the shooting quicker, the grumbling lessened and the shots became more candid.  

A family favorite of his pictures is one taken of a small animal while on vacation.    We were camping when Dad decided he was going to lure a chipmunk onto a peanut can.  The stage was set with at least one peanut on the rim of the can.  Lying on his stomach he waited patiently in the brush.  He emerged after what seemed like several hours later with success. 

Squirrel on a Peanut Can - Jerry Landry

My turn came on the Christmas I received my first camera.  With a quick lesson from Dad on how to use it, I was ready to go.  From the moment I laid my hands on it, I was enchanted. Today I am still mesmerized by what’s in front of me as I moved into position frame the shot, focus and shoot.  Excitement wells up inside me.  It’s like a massive treasure hunt in God’s beautiful creation:  capturing moments as they unfold in front of me.   Now I’m feeling what I could see on my Dad’s face as he handled his camera.

Photos capture memories – the joy and the hardship.  They can be mood makers or mood breakers. They can lift us up or bring us down.  What a wonderful gift my dad shared, his love of photography.  My passion for Photography is one of the mysteries of my life. 

What are you hearing from the mystery of your life?

Next steps:

Listening to Your Life podcast with “The Art of Work”  author Jeff Goins.

Check back next week for part 2: “Exploring the Writer Within.”

View more photos on Instagram: @calshook.

Turning Dreams into Reality

For the past seven days, my  friend Laurie and I have set aside time for self-discovery thanks to a recently released book called:

“The Art of Work: a proven path to discovering what you were meant to do” by Jeff Goins. 

In seven days we completed seven chapters – paths to becoming “what you were meant to be”.

1.       Awareness

2.       Apprenticeship

3.       Practice

4.       Discovery

5.       Profession

6.       Mastery

7.       Legacy

Throughout this study, Laurie and I have dreamed, shared our life journeys, and are on a path of discovery which won’t end as this study comes to a close.

What is my dream?   A life where I creatively use my photography and writing skills as a catalyst for empowering myself and others to create the life we are meant to live.  This blog is a part of that dream in action.

7-day Challenge – with action dreams become reality.

Are you wondering “what you were meant to do?”  If so, I’d like to encourage you to buddy up with someone (or a small group) and take seven days of self-discovery:  either consecutively or over a longer period of time, whatever works for you.  Though this certainly can be done alone, Laurie’s commitment, insights and feedback, were beneficial in having the clarity to move forward with meaning – to making my dream a reality.  Feel free to comment and let me know what you think.  Also, I’d be curious to find out if you’ve taken the challenge and how it’s going.

In closing:
Thank you Jeff Goins for writing, “The Art of Work”!  What a gift you have given me.
Laurie, thank you for a life altering seven days, you are a treasured friend.  

Welcome to Cal-lig-a-life!

Stump Pass, Englewood, FL

Life is Art:  Dream, Create, and Inspire

Each of us is creating art as we live.  Lives can be beautiful works that inspire.  They can also be images of destruction.  I’d like to encourage you to create the life that you've always dreamed of and then inspire others to do the same.  Be an inspiration.

You are invited to join me on the journey as I dream, create, and hopefully inspire.