Since quitting my safe corporate banking job landed out of University, I’ve been making risky or unconventional decisions in the name of finding my own meaningful career and building a life that I love.

After being selected and moving across continents, it continued with the decision to not do downtown-suit-life upon my return home 6-months later. 

And it was reinforced with every decision to launch multiple partnership programs, coach for local accelerators, host customized trainings for nonprofits across North America, and write for Acumen Academy, the world’s school for social change.

(And I really am, by the way!)

As I get closer to the age that my mom fell ill with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and I reflect to understand what got me to this blessed life: 

I see the courage and trust but also the sheer tenacity that got me here. 

 The little girl who came home after school to a quiet house and watched TV 10 inches from the screen so the volume could be as low as humanly possible so as not to wake my sleeping mom upstairs. 

For 7 years, as a mother-daughter team we danced through pain, worry, stress, fatigue, tears, and uncertainty. But in that swirl, we also found solidarity in our resolve to keep going. To keep going in spite of teenage angst for wearing second-hand clothes and skipping expensive outings to watch pennies; and above all, in spite of knowing if ever my mom would regain her energy to work again. 

From this unusual upbringing, I learned to be patient, supportive, empathetic, calm, and tenacious as hell. There was no giving up. There was only giving. Giving encouragement, support, optimism, and solutions.

And so as I grew up, I kept giving. Giving time and attention to causes that needed volunteers, and tirelessly showing up. To find solutions to make other peoples’s lives easier: the epitome of entrepreneurship. Working hard for little compensation. “End of a workday” being an elusive goal post that is never reached. 

With this perfect blend of optimism, tenacity, and work ethic, I’ve accomplished a lot. And I’ve lived a life of purpose.

And I’ve also realized the missing element of my purpose has been – my self.

Without a deep appreciation, respect, and care for ourselves in this wild ride of life, all of the outwardly ‘impactful activity’ we push into the world will be missing an essential ingredient. The soul of the work is exactly that: our soul. 

Bringing your soul into work in service of giving space to find and surface your truest self –– and then shine it brightly for all to see. 

And, perhaps paradoxically, that is where the most inspiring and valuable service is gifted to others. In shining your most authentic self, you unlock the most incredible talents and wisdom that is craved from others. 

As a bonus...

AS OTHERS see you in your fullest expression, not only do they gain from your gifts, but they gain permission to crack open the shell blocking their light, even if only a bit.

While the status quo is selling the dream, and maps to point the way to your desired destination – hard-hitting executive with a secure retirement savings plan, family-forward parent with a white picket fence, free-spirited artist with no agenda – deep down, something feels off.

Because the illusion we live in is that store-bought maps will get us where we are trying to go, when in fact, finding our purpose is the act of charting the map itself. The map of your soul path.

But I know now there is more that's needed. After multiple projects that has all the potential in the world and did 'just enough' I know now there's more to the puzzle.

I’ve learned (correction = am still learning) that it's a dance between strategy and intuition, between learning and playing, and between proven frameworks and courageous moonshots.

And while there is no silver bullet, 
there is the most reliable and powerful source of all: you.

Your uniqueness, your inner call to be part of something new and be part of building a world that works better for all of us.

I lead content and course marketing strategy as a consultant with Acumen Academy, the world’s school for social change.

Tune into your life’s purpose and find the courage to share it widely –– for more peace, joy, abundance, and fun every day!

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