What paths have you walked away from?
On following our calling
Sometimes I wonder if I could live a different life. Like that of a famous person, or of a simple villager. In these moments, my life feels somewhat strange and otherworldly. How did I end up here, on a motorcycle driving through the rice fields of a precious island in Indonesia? I know this didn’t happen randomly.
𝗜 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆, every step of the way.
And 𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴.
It feels funny saying this. What about all the other choices I could have taken?
I did my first internship at 13 years old as the apprentice of a hotel manager. I probably could have become a wealthy hotelier.
I was a professional dancer and choreographer at age 16. I could have become a sought-after artist.
I was a venture partner at a new venture capital studio that failed, but set me up for a career in finance.
But I didn't choose to continue walking on any of these paths. ✋
Instead, I followed the deep call to help – to see ourselves in a new light and, therefore, to 𝗯𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻.
It’s a big task for me, one without a blueprint, where good enough is not good enough. At times, I feel lost and alone, but I wouldn't choose any other way.
Some years ago, I said that 𝘐'𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦.
I still know this to be true.
I’m grateful and respectful toward this commitment, and take every step to honour it.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺?
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴?
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