Recent events have inspired me to use my talents and energy to benefit causes larger than myself. I’ve let go of the feeling that I need to be one thing in my profession and am embracing the idea that my greatest strengths lie in the areas of my life where my passions intersect.

How can I create a more complete life where I work on projects that fulfill every part of me?

I’m starting to get ideas.

What if I worked as an artist in residence at a national park? Created a large body of affordable, original art and then sold it with a percentage going back to conserve the land?

What if I donated my time and design skills to help nonprofits who are fighting for things I believe in?

Things at my day job have become increasingly corporate, with the freedom to create original art decreasing. It’s a hard time to work there and has been since the cut-backs that started last year. This year I’ve seen the global offices get a facelift (espresso machines and expensive furniture have appeared) while labor continues to be cut in the store. The renovations are nice, but when you have felt the cost in terms of friends’ lost jobs and more stressful working conditions, the shine loses its luster.

I love my team, I am still learning, and the company as a whole does a lot of good work in the world…but almost daily I am struggling with the changes I’ve seen.

I’m looking for something that will more directly, more concretely give me a sense that I am helping to protect the world and its people.

How can I help to protect the environment?

Make people smile?

Cultivate understanding/education/tolerance?

Share the beauty and sense of awe I experience when  in nature?

How can I use my skills as an artist to do so?

Are there other strengths that I have that should be cultivated toward such ends?

The brainstorming continues…