“Your calling is very much like falling in love, isn’t it? Nobody can decide but you, what your calling is. Just like nobody can generate a voice other than YOUR voice...There will never be anyone in the world like you.”
- Dr. Cornel West, January 25, 2019, Cal State University San Bernardino, CA
Hello again dear friends,
I hope this letter finds you in good spirits and settled in with your intentions and goals for the year.
I had been drafting numerous versions of this newsletter since November, but nothing held meaningful weight (so, my apologies for the delay). It was not until I attended a talk from Dr. Cornel West a few weeks ago that created a huge desire to get back and tend to my voice and writing.
It was one of those soul-stirring experiences. His words, his message tugged at my willing heart strings. And as this Newsletter evolves to whatever it becomes— the driving force of its content will be just that. Those soul stirrings, those everyday revelations that lift one up, those things that serve to not only inspire but to also heal.
Magic in its purest form.
And I hope you don’t mind.
--
Initially, this newsletter was going to be some sort of musing on my first year as an Adjunct Instructor for young creatives in the Inland Empire of California.
And it may as well be, but the quote above (which was Dr. Cornel West’s response to a question about one’s work and calling) summed up the central message I’ve shared with my students and about the potential work they can do in this unique time and place in history.
“Nobody can decide but you, what your calling is.”
But you have to do the work-- the internal work to determine what that calling is. As with anything meaningful and rewarding, it takes considerable time and concerted effort.
Granted, some folks know their calling from the very beginning (my brother, for example).
But what if you still struggle to know?
At the start of every term, I introduce the course and my background by posing two simple questions to the class:
WHO ARE YOU?
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?
Two simple questions and yet, I find my students either laugh in amusement or stare at me with furrowed brows. I challenge them further-- think about it...have you dedicated time (within the past few years) to quietly reflect (especially in this hyper connected world) on your heart’s desires? On what truly stirs your soul?
It’s a challenging task to make the deliberate intention to buckle down and reflect when we’re constantly being bombarded by alerts and notifications and messages. We have grown accustomed to drowning out our own internal voices as we sift idly through newsfeed after newsfeed on our mobile devices.
Ask the hard questions first. You might even discover your voice and your calling.
Who are you? Where do your values lie?
What do you want to do? How do you want to impact others? The world?
What will your legacy be?
Looping this discussion back in with the course, I would mention that these 2 questions can also be applied to and set the tone for any company and organization, for any new venture or campaign. Who are you? What do you want to do?
Know who you are, what you offer and where you want to eventually take your aspirations. Dream big, dream epic.
“...nobody can generate a voice other than YOUR voice.
Despite the hyper-connectedness and distraction, we live in the most opportune time to share our stories, products, or services and connect with countless others across the globe. There has never been a time in history where one can easily create a community of advocates in support of a message as a brand/individual/company. The possibilities and opportunities are endless
So why not use your voice?
Whether your voice is carried out through your writing, through imagery, music, film? I am used to championing my students’ creative pursuits — and as creatives they all have naturally developed their own personal brands. I tell them — forget about your website or what your logo is going to look like (for now). Can you tell me who you are and what you stand for? What can you do for your clients? Therein lies your brand and your unique selling points.
Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook, says it best: “Be a voice, not a brand.”
Develop your voice — you will already be ahead of the pack.
And while you’re at it, why don’t you raise it with the intention to help others?
How can you develop your voice?
Share your story.
In 2012, I started “the ballerrina project”, a small social project with all of the female champions in my life. Looking back, it may have been one of the defining points in my life. The project enabled me to dig deep and discover my voice (through writing). In addition, I was able to discover my passion, my calling to help others define their stories and speak their truths.
This project intended to 1) provide a collective and platform for our individual stories 2) create a network of girl champions 3) support the “girl effect” - an initiative from the Nike Foundation which supported programs and raised awareness around girls’ education in developing countries. Although the project remained within my small network, I always refer back to it for clarity and purpose.
Today, seven years later, I am fortunate to create projects similar to these pursuits on a daily basis and this year I will be launching a few campaigns centered around social impact and innovation with students and alumni at the University I am honored to work at -- who are social champions in their own rights. I wrote about the need to share stories about individuals and organizations doing the work (about 2 years ago) and how to bridge the gaps to build and cultivate innovation within communities, design and enhanced communications on a human centered level. Little did I know I would land a job that would allow me to do these things and more.
From 2012, with Love
I wrote in a letter to my friends back then:
“This year, 2012, I invite you to share your own story, through personal reflection and rediscovery–for that 12-year old who holds the key to your life’s dreams.
These are my personal beliefs–
I believe in the power of storytelling, that your life’s experiences are meant to be shared to help others, that what you offer in unique gifts and talents can make a direct impact in your communities and in the lives of countless other girls who are awakening to their own potential and champion inside.
This is my testament to the enduring power of living one’s truth, to the touching and uplifting power of friendship, and to the power of one girl’s dream to lead the path that was destined for her.”
This year and beyond, I will encourage you to do the same...
Until next time, thank you for reading. It is always a joy hearing from you in response to these letters,
+R
P.S. In appreciation -- this the 3rd Valentine's day in a row that I created a Spotify playlist for my family and friends to jam out to. This year, in particular, I've incorporated some of my favorite soulful tracks and named it after my go-to cocktail: the "bourbon old fashioned" (for obvious reasons). Enjoy xx
Pictured above: "A digital divide"- Kyoto, Japan. March 2018.
