If I could only count the number of times I said, "I should write tonight - life is good and I need to remember this." and the times I said to myself, "Today was tough - I need to remember this." I'm terrible at physically writing in journals... also not great at keeping up a blog. Such is life.
I was going to force myself to do another "Wellness Update" in the standard form. But here's the reality - I am well. And it doesn't need to be a report out of 6 categories. I'm living life with fantastic human beings who challenge me to think differently, who affirm my authentic self, who teach me about things I didn't even know I didn't know, and show me love and support each and every day.
My CEO had a Q&A with our interns last month and someone asked him about work life balance. I've been trying for a few years to get people on the the term "work life blend" knowing that we need to authentically blend our responsibilities and activities in life... it hasn't caught on. What he said, affirmed that I'm not crazy ... "Here's the deal - I like my job, I love my family and friends, I'm involved in my community. Do I get to spend as much time as I want to in each place? No. But that's not life. You need to love what you do every day, some days you're going to work more than others."
I had an opportunity to go to Calgary, Alberta last month with Global Shapers for ShapeNA. Our North American conference gathered people from around Canada, United States, and the Caribbean. I can't explain how powerful it is to be in a room with leaders from a variety of sectors and cities, discussing real issues and learning together for a few days. We discussed education and segregation in Milwaukee, budget crisis in Puerto Rico, past natural disasters in Calgary, the list goes on. The most beautiful thing, in addition to these conversations - we built relationships that will help us to create solutions over time. Immediate and real relationships that transcend geographies.
The Minneapolis Hub of Global Shapers is a group of some of the most intentional, authentic people chasing dreams and impacting the world in big ways, often at personal cost. I have the incredible honor to hold a leadership role for this group - a role that takes me to Geneva, Switzerland next week to connect with Shapers from around the world. A once in a lifetime opportunity, I will be one of 450 delegates from around the world gathering to discuss and create solutions (hopefully disruptive and collaborative in nature) to drive change around the globe in our communities. I'm bringing Aveeno lotion to a woman from Zimbabwe who isn't sure when travels will bring her to access to a Target or Walmart, and delegates from Yemen are thankful for a break from their war torn country. Privilege check, whoa. Reminder to also study up on my global map so I'm not THAT American.
This is my first unplanned weekend at home since March 20. It's been a spring and summer full of incredible people, wonderful events, much needed vitamin D, and many adventures. As life would have it, my weekend plans fell into place with three dear friends reaching out to catch up. Friday night I went to a night market with K and B - somehow I didn't know these existed in the Twin Cities. Food, art, and performances from vendors of various Southeast Asian cultures brought community together on a beautiful summer night. I grabbed coffee with M, cutting our conversation off at 2 hours so I could go mini golfing and make a DQ run with N. 5 well spend hours with two friends who hold me accountable to being my best self, chasing my dreams, and being authentically, intentionally, and radically me. It's a journey for sure, but these two accept and push me to do more every day.
I named this blog Perspective and Purpose - I try to surround myself with people intentionally seeking the same thing. My STLF and Global Shapers Communities have been great sources of quality friendship and experiences that help me on that journey. My writing is pretty stream of consciousness from a privileged white woman - if you're interested in a different perspective with immense purpose, please read http://www.wordsofbrick.com/
Next blog post: Switzerland. New Job. Life is keeping me on my toes.
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