Personal Research and Education

Personal Research and Education

As a unique child of God, your purpose and mission in this world is also specific to you and the gifts and graces you have received. While many other people may be concerned or active in in the field where you wish to contribute, you must continuously seek the presence of God in what you are learning and doing.
 
This presents a twofold task: to develop the expertise you will need to make your voice compelling (especially for people who do not share your spiritual beliefs) while also remaining true to your calling without being distracted from your unique vocation. On the one hand, you will need to have a technical understanding of the subject matter directly involved in that aspect of work toward which you feel being called. On the other hand, you need to remain connected to your understanding of what God is asking you to do with the subject matter of your specific concerns.
 
Your research and education may initially be entirely an individual effort on your part, but you should also seek out individuals who share these technical concerns and develop mutually beneficial study groups. This will help you develop your technical skills and increase your confidence as you become comfortable speaking about your insights. This also will allow you to test out any new ideas or approaches which emerge from your spiritual explorations. In this way, when you speak to strangers or professional colleagues in public situations, your ideas will be more fully developed, and you will have had experience expressing new thoughts and ideas.
 
You also would find it helpful to pursue research opportunities that amplify your voice in those places where you wish to bring the presence of God. So, it would be helpful for you to become acquainted with research grants and residencies related to your areas of interest. In time, this program will offer information to assist you in the effort. However, in the meantime, you will be able to find information on these kind of research opportunities through the academic departments most closely related to your technical interests.
 
Finally, you will find it helpful to pursue activities in professional organizations and associations related to the type of work you wish to pursue in your life. Often, these associations and institutions related to your areas of interest will offer internships research grants and fellowships that will help you deepen in your expertise and enhance your confidence in speaking to people purely from a technical perspective when necessary.
 
Whether you choose to pursue academic degrees related to your interest, or not, it is important that you maintain a very clear vision of those aspects of your research and education serve the vision of God which emerges from your prayer.


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