Once one of my clients was struggling with the amount of privilege that’s been given to her in this life. I will say to you what I said to her:
If not YOU, then WHO?
If not a western woman with high educational credentials, a smart mind, a good heart, who lives in a country where you are allowed to run your own business — then WHO?
As someone who grew up in countries bombed by America and mined by Britain, in places where getting to live the easier, influential American life meant that you must have good karma…a place where crippled children beg on the street in every city every day, I ask…
If not you, then who?
Yes, this world needs your vision. Desperately.
This world desperately needs the perspectives of overly educated, good people who have done the personal work on themselves to stand with solidity and integrity.
Yes, it’s the people dismantling a system from the inside who can have the most effect.
This world desperately needs the people who have passion.
This world desperately needs the people who are innovative.
I spent more than 15 years studying the crisis of our planet. I am of the generation where climate change has never not been part of the science curriculum. Ever.
My degree is from UC Berkeley in physical geography. My classes literally included the top 10 global environmental problems.
I will tell you with confidence that the issues are not that we don’t have the technology to change it. It’s not that we don’t have the data. It’s that we don’t have the moral authority.
It’s time for those of us who have…
- done an immense amount of internal excavation
- good hearts, strong backbones and sharp minds
- the passionate drive that we want to use for good
to rise up.
These are the people who actually stand a chance to turn this world around.
You don’t have to direct your efforts to environmental issues specifically. Aligning your work with your passion is enough. Bring all of you forward. These type of holistic, passion-based efforts align with nature.
Align your efforts with your nature, she is waiting to support you. Dive into those deeper parts of yourself that have never felt welcome at work (where hidden power lays lurking).
Because this is more than work. This is your life. This is our life. This is our chance to make change.
Enough looking for the perfect job.
Enough pretending that it must be easier somewhere else.
Enough running away from your calling.
Enough thinking that it’s someone else who needs to do this.
