I think it's important to remember that vocation begins now, not next week or next month or next year. It begins at every second. I used to spend ages looking at communities and pining over them, wondering when I would finally be able to enter. Then I realised that I was being unfaithful to God's love in the present. Worrying about how you are going to enter the convent without your parents getting upset is natural, but it is not your responsibility. Providing you live God's grace all the time you will find that obstacles and difficulties like that are overcome before you have even noticed them going.

Not long ago I realised that my vocation is to pray more, to give more, and to live humbly. Generosity, prayer, and humility are all interlinked, and they all come from trust. So long as I'm following this compass, I know that I'm on the right road. I hope that the compass will eventually take me to a religious community, but for now I'm content to enjoy the journey.

I am listening to music as I type - 'Wherever You Will Go' by The Calling. Interestingly, as I was typing the last paragraph, they sang this:

I know now, just quite how
My life and love might still go on
In your heart, in your mind
I'll stay with you for all of time

If I could, then I would
I'll go wherever you will go
Way up high, or down low
I'll go wherever you will go.

It's not a religious song, but...appropriate.