In conversation with a client yesterday, I was reminded yet again that our sense of “life mission”, of purpose and ambition, are not necessarily the things we monetise or commodify, though they can be.
They’re all about the values we most yearn to bring to the world, the difference we want to make and the things we want to master.
In other words - it’s about bringing our mastery to fruition, to contribute in authentic ways.
I love this so much. Enoughness. Interconnectedness and reciprocity and community care at a scale for deep meaning and purpose. Thank you for holding this vision. I truly feel we are bridging this reality and that which is to come.
I believe that I have been fortunate in that I lived much of my purpose: serving birthing women, having a little farm, raising three daughters. But, it has never provided enough to actually support me financially, and that is an issue in this world. If I hadn’t been married, I would not have been able to follow my purpose…it was his income that allowed me the satisfaction to do what I craved. Often, I could do unusual things because I gave them away, or was paid a pittance. I think this situation is often found in a woman’s world, where church ladies do all of the jobs to make the wheels turn. Where woman do the caring, giving great satisfaction, but no support. How do we turn this…..?
Yes, this 1000 times, Ellen. There are so many threads to pull here... Firstly, I'm so glad you feel you have lived your purpose. What a beautiful life, serving birthing women, raising three daughters and having a little farm (that's basically my dream!) "Women's work" is so undervalued in the modern world, it probably deserves an entire essay itself. In pre-industrial or indigenous societies I imagine you would be supported by the whole "tribe". In a modern iteration perhaps something like universal basic income will be necessary, to curb growth imperatives and individual sacrifices for survival. Everyone should be granted their basic needs and allowed to pursue what makes their heart sing.
So…here’s the kicker: I may have been very confident that I was fulfilling my purpose, BUT there was all of the societal expectation to make the money needed to live! One of the nurses who worked with me at the birth center accused the owners of nurse abuse because the pay was so low. I loved what I did there…but it didn’t pay what a nurse made in a hospital. Not anywhere near it. So I never felt vindicated or appropriate in my choices. I was supported financially all along, and that wasn’t fulfilling at all.
I hear you, Ellen, and, honestly, same. If we didn't need money to survive, and if my husband earned more, would I be so driven to "achieve", be successful on Substack, write a book, complete my clinical training? Maybe I'd be just as content being at home with my kids, tending my garden, baking bread, planning dinner.
I think it speaks to how tied up in the times we are. And yet, maybe that is the point — that the work I feel called to do, the writing, the training, the seeding of new ways — only exists because of the times we’re in. Maybe that’s not a distortion of purpose, but exactly what purpose looks like now.
I agree, or hope, something is shifting. In the way people pursue their purpose and engage in the world. I'm also learning to trust the pull toward purpose, and letting go of ego, or the outdated version of myself, so I can step into something renewed, recommitted, refreshed.
This is great - you capture a lot of things I've been wrestling with too.
I did notice, where you're taking about Sounds True, you quote someone praising the company for "expanding steadily" even while you're asking "What if success is not about growth?" I don't point this out to criticise, just to highlight how *deeply* embedded growth is in our ideas of success. Even when we try to cut it out, we find ourselves instead just adding other criteria - growing *while also* achieving other goals. Even the idea of "building" a company is based on growth as primary.
What would it look like to *truly* cut growth out? To base our evaluation of a company like Sounds True on other metrics entirely, and treat the expansion of the company merely as a curiosity or an inconsequential matter of fact?
And, to be completely fair, *should* we? Is there an aspect of growth that is innately human, but which has been allowed to develop unchecked by moderating forces of culture, community, tradition?
Ahh, it's so deeply ingrained, isn't it? Such a philosophical conundrum. But if we take nature as our teacher (as we always should), growth is absolutely essential – within certain contexts and confines. Like roots spreading wide and deep, or mycelium networks expanding underground... I see growth as the multiplication of connections, the extension of reach through existing networks – rather than one person amassing a huge amount of “wealth” (which, let’s be honest, is just money and not something embedded in nature).
The kind of expansion I see Sounds True doing (and of course, I don’t know all the ins and outs of their business, this is just my sense) feels more like expanding influence and connection. It began with one person, but now involves many – and from the start, their ethos has been about platforming others. So everyone benefits, ideas circulate more widely, and the nature of the “content” (podcasts, books, etc.) is about waking people up. It genuinely seems to have a positive effect on the lives of listeners and readers.
It’s been so wonderful to discover your writing, Gabrielle. (A friend of mine, Adam Axon, recently highlighted how we are loosely linked). Your writing is sublime, and reminded me to revisit some of the questions in Daniel Schmachtenberger’s Dharma Enquiry. https://civilizationemerging.com/dharma-inquiry-2/
I suspect you are onto this, but just in case—
» Are you familiar with Bill Plotkin’s work? and
» Do you listen to The Emerald by Josh Schrei?
One thing I am personally wary of is ‘reifying’ purpose. It may well be that we cultivate the acuity to recognise the calling and the resonance to respond appropriately, bigly, without “the pursuit of significance” (as you aptly write). “The acceptance of it when it comes, and the commitment to use it well.” Gosh I love this.
In this era of individualism and ‘personal branding’, “purpose” has often become a commodity. But what you write of is, refreshingly, so much warmer, animate, generative.
Jason, I haven't yet had the chance to get back to you about how much I love your writing too, and I'm so honoured you find resonance in mine. I've signed up to your newsletter and had a brief listen to your podcast and it thrills me, truly!
Yes, I have been a long time fan of Bill Plotkin, though have admittedly never done any of his courses nor opened any of his books in recent years. It's possible (nay, probable) that his ideas permeate much of my writing due to his early influence. Similarly, I adore Josh Schrei's podcast. I am a patron, but I have not done any extended work with him, nor even made may way through his entire catalogue.
Is there anything from their work in particular that this made you think of? I'd love to revisit what they say on this topic if you had something in mind.
I agree we need to be wary of reifying and commodifying purpose. But I think many of us feel drawn to something, and when that something naturally entails power or influence, whether incidental or by design, it is important to be able to reframe it. At least it has been for me!!
Looking forward to continuing the conversation 😊 and I'll check out that link too, thank you!
> “Is there anything from their work in particular that this made you think of? I'd love to revisit what they say on this topic if you had something in mind.”
Hmm, I feel like the conversation Bill Plotkin had with Nate Hagens (https://www.thegreatsimplification.com/episode/146-bill-plotkin) drew connections within me with the premise of the ‘place for purpose in a post-growth world.’ Bill brings good distinction between eco and ego development, as well as adolescence and adulthood. I sense that these could be apt lenses through which we sense into purpose (I say this as someone who still works in a larger corporate world that has a lot of what could be called adolescent ego ‘thought leadership’ pithy-marketable-purpose people—and I appreciate the earthier, messier, soulful ecological acuity you exemplify here).
And I’ve likewise been a fan and patron of Josh, and did his Mythic Body course a couple of years back (albeit I don’t feel like I embodied it as much as I would like—I will one day revisit this, more embodied). Josh’s recent episode on Power was also evoked for me when you were quoting Joanna Macy, and particularly when you write “If we’re given energy, love, resources, or recognition, the dharmic path asks that we channel it into service and into something regenerative.”
Side note, but related to one of your earlier posts: my partner and I are in a slow process of considering where to move and lay down roots (I write to you from an apartment in inner-city Melbourne). Tasmania remains one of our prime considerations. A friend whomst I previously hosted an event series called “The Rekindling (offering ‘post-doom sensibilities for the collapse-aware’) is soon to be moving, and I sense there is a warmly budding ‘scene’ distributed across the island. Of which you are one of the beacons.
Awesome. I'll definitely check out that podcast with Bill Plotkin, I don't think I've ever heard him speak before!
Ahh so interesting I really felt like I should listen to the Power episode of the Emerald before finishing this, but I didn't get round to it. Looking forward to sinking in. I've been wanting to do the Mythic Body course for some time too, but I've been a bit occupied having kids and doing a PhD 🫠
That's more than just a side note—come on down!! There's definitely a solid community building here. I lived in Melbourne for 5 years before moving here with a side quest in Mullumbimby first. I'm sure we'd have some mutual connects!
Also, "post-doom sensibilities for the collapse-aware"?! Epic, that's basically my whole mission 😆 did it get much interest? I've also been toying with a side pub called "post-doom parenting". Kindredness is right!!
This might be the best thing I've read in a long time. I've held tight so many of these wordless thoughts and questions for a long LONG time, and you articulated them so beautifully--as if you were reading my heart. There is so much wisdom for all of us in this profound piece, I'm going to restack it.
My two favorite lines, simply astounding:
Stephen Cope's (had never heard this, I'm still reeling over it): “What is it that, if you do not do it, you will feel a profound sense of self-betrayal?”.
"What if our work didn’t need to scale, only to serve?" (yes yes yes yes yes...so much yes!)
Thank you Gabrielle. This is the first thing I read on this bright and beautiful Saturday morning and my heart will be full all day. <3
Thank you so much, Stephanie. You are always so generous with your feedback and it really encourages me to keep going. I'm glad it spoke to something alive in you, too, and I hope it helped. If love to hear of its shifted anything enduring since the weekend ❤️
Thank you for writing this, as usual, you put language so beautifully to things I feel I’ve been processing within myself for so long.
I had a breakthrough a few years ago of really radically embracing the parts of my “ambition” that are really about quiet ordinariness. Loving staying home, being quiet in the garden with a cup of tea, reading a book, writing a poem, cooking dinner.
I have found that the more I embrace these aspects of myself, the more “success” I have, wholly authentically, and the more fulfilled I am.
Placing my values and the shape and quality of ordinary life that I want at the center of my ambitions has allowed the other aspects of myself ambitions to organically arise. I am invited to speak, to facilitate, to write in places that I feel so honored to be welcomed into. I feel deeply respected by my peers. There are people who honor and respect the value of my work. But I don’t have to pretend to be anyone other than my authentic self to receive all of that.
Saturn is in my 8th house and I feel a lot of resonance with how it shows up in your 10th.
Slow and steady, rooted and whole, we move forward with our devoted work in this world.
Gabrielle, your piece moved through me like a soft tide under moonlight—familiar and surprising, unsettling and deeply aligning. Thank you.
I too have been grappling with this terrain—not only what purpose looks like after growth, but what it might feel like when it no longer performs. When it simply breathes.
Your invocation of dharma, Tami Simon’s soul-force, and Joanna Macy’s fierce clarity all speak to something I’ve been tracking in my recent work on relational technology and AI: the idea that purpose isn’t something we build on top of life—it’s something that reveals itself in fidelity to life.
One phrase from your piece that won’t leave me: “not the pursuit of significance, but the acceptance of it when it comes.” That’s a posture I want to live into—especially now, when ego so often disguises itself as virtue.
Thank you for offering this depth in a world hungry for scale. I’m listening.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I’m building a business right now and am asking myself exactly which conversations I’d like to create for people. Because I’d like it to be intentional, caring for both me and the client, so that I don’t fall into a space of lack that will have me hustle.
I share the values that you name. Community, purpose, integrity, reciprocity and inter connectedness.
That sounds like it acknowledges how the world actually is (interactive and communal), rather than forcing it into a state that exploits.
“We are part of a bridging generation; those holding the tension between the world as it is and the world we’re trying to grow into. It’s slow, imperfect, and full of contradictions. But it’s happening.”
This quote really spoke to me. A message of being at peace with the chaos as we experiment, gain experience and then comprehend the outcome which is often nothing like what we imagined it would be.
Yes! I have so much more to say about this bridging space... I feel it's so important to understand if we are to both face the realities and hold the posture for the duration of our lifetimes. Committing to seeding a future we may never see but hopefully our children's grandchildren will...
A very rich and thoughtful article, I particularly liked …”What if our work didn’t need to scale, only to serve?” . A few years ago probably influenced by Joanna, I made a vow to serve, ….to ask each day whats mine to do ?
That has made a huge difference ,as I no longer feel I need a “purpose”. This vow gives me enough most of the time, yet occasionally here on Substack I can catch myself in the need to scale, get more, more more….it is such deep conditioning that MORE is success.
I really appreciate how you have written about this enquiry, so honestly and beautifully ,thank you Gabrielle 🙏🏻
Thank you so much, Susan. It was exactly that urge to scale that led me to examine this. I never expected any kind of visibility on Substack so when it came it brought up a lot! I feel I'm getting in a more comfortable place with it. Intending to revisit all of Joanna's offerings in the coming months so I can really commit to and embody them, too.
This being a “substacker “ is interesting Gabrielle, so full of surprises and challenges. I had a post “ take off ‘ a few weeks ago and it does bring up a lot as well as new people to welcome it.
I have also set an intention to revisit and get a new understanding of Joanna’s offerings…may be we could do something together in the future ?
Lovely! Active Hope was a catalyst for rethinking and redirecting my life’s purpose. I once thought it had to be more linear, more tied to business or professional success. I now know it’s about who I am being and how I serve and tend to myself, to community and Mother Earth. 🙏
All of this!
In conversation with a client yesterday, I was reminded yet again that our sense of “life mission”, of purpose and ambition, are not necessarily the things we monetise or commodify, though they can be.
They’re all about the values we most yearn to bring to the world, the difference we want to make and the things we want to master.
In other words - it’s about bringing our mastery to fruition, to contribute in authentic ways.
Great article!
I love this so much. Enoughness. Interconnectedness and reciprocity and community care at a scale for deep meaning and purpose. Thank you for holding this vision. I truly feel we are bridging this reality and that which is to come.
Thank you, i needed this. I found Active Hope and Joanna through your newsletter. I am so grateful you have shared your wisdom
Oh I'm so glad, Joanna is simply wonderful. A true pioneer in this space 💚💜
I believe that I have been fortunate in that I lived much of my purpose: serving birthing women, having a little farm, raising three daughters. But, it has never provided enough to actually support me financially, and that is an issue in this world. If I hadn’t been married, I would not have been able to follow my purpose…it was his income that allowed me the satisfaction to do what I craved. Often, I could do unusual things because I gave them away, or was paid a pittance. I think this situation is often found in a woman’s world, where church ladies do all of the jobs to make the wheels turn. Where woman do the caring, giving great satisfaction, but no support. How do we turn this…..?
Yes, this 1000 times, Ellen. There are so many threads to pull here... Firstly, I'm so glad you feel you have lived your purpose. What a beautiful life, serving birthing women, raising three daughters and having a little farm (that's basically my dream!) "Women's work" is so undervalued in the modern world, it probably deserves an entire essay itself. In pre-industrial or indigenous societies I imagine you would be supported by the whole "tribe". In a modern iteration perhaps something like universal basic income will be necessary, to curb growth imperatives and individual sacrifices for survival. Everyone should be granted their basic needs and allowed to pursue what makes their heart sing.
So…here’s the kicker: I may have been very confident that I was fulfilling my purpose, BUT there was all of the societal expectation to make the money needed to live! One of the nurses who worked with me at the birth center accused the owners of nurse abuse because the pay was so low. I loved what I did there…but it didn’t pay what a nurse made in a hospital. Not anywhere near it. So I never felt vindicated or appropriate in my choices. I was supported financially all along, and that wasn’t fulfilling at all.
I hear you, Ellen, and, honestly, same. If we didn't need money to survive, and if my husband earned more, would I be so driven to "achieve", be successful on Substack, write a book, complete my clinical training? Maybe I'd be just as content being at home with my kids, tending my garden, baking bread, planning dinner.
I think it speaks to how tied up in the times we are. And yet, maybe that is the point — that the work I feel called to do, the writing, the training, the seeding of new ways — only exists because of the times we’re in. Maybe that’s not a distortion of purpose, but exactly what purpose looks like now.
I agree, or hope, something is shifting. In the way people pursue their purpose and engage in the world. I'm also learning to trust the pull toward purpose, and letting go of ego, or the outdated version of myself, so I can step into something renewed, recommitted, refreshed.
I love what you say here both about trusting purpose and also letting go of that outdated version. Perfectly put!
This is great - you capture a lot of things I've been wrestling with too.
I did notice, where you're taking about Sounds True, you quote someone praising the company for "expanding steadily" even while you're asking "What if success is not about growth?" I don't point this out to criticise, just to highlight how *deeply* embedded growth is in our ideas of success. Even when we try to cut it out, we find ourselves instead just adding other criteria - growing *while also* achieving other goals. Even the idea of "building" a company is based on growth as primary.
What would it look like to *truly* cut growth out? To base our evaluation of a company like Sounds True on other metrics entirely, and treat the expansion of the company merely as a curiosity or an inconsequential matter of fact?
And, to be completely fair, *should* we? Is there an aspect of growth that is innately human, but which has been allowed to develop unchecked by moderating forces of culture, community, tradition?
Ahh, it's so deeply ingrained, isn't it? Such a philosophical conundrum. But if we take nature as our teacher (as we always should), growth is absolutely essential – within certain contexts and confines. Like roots spreading wide and deep, or mycelium networks expanding underground... I see growth as the multiplication of connections, the extension of reach through existing networks – rather than one person amassing a huge amount of “wealth” (which, let’s be honest, is just money and not something embedded in nature).
The kind of expansion I see Sounds True doing (and of course, I don’t know all the ins and outs of their business, this is just my sense) feels more like expanding influence and connection. It began with one person, but now involves many – and from the start, their ethos has been about platforming others. So everyone benefits, ideas circulate more widely, and the nature of the “content” (podcasts, books, etc.) is about waking people up. It genuinely seems to have a positive effect on the lives of listeners and readers.
It’s been so wonderful to discover your writing, Gabrielle. (A friend of mine, Adam Axon, recently highlighted how we are loosely linked). Your writing is sublime, and reminded me to revisit some of the questions in Daniel Schmachtenberger’s Dharma Enquiry. https://civilizationemerging.com/dharma-inquiry-2/
I suspect you are onto this, but just in case—
» Are you familiar with Bill Plotkin’s work? and
» Do you listen to The Emerald by Josh Schrei?
One thing I am personally wary of is ‘reifying’ purpose. It may well be that we cultivate the acuity to recognise the calling and the resonance to respond appropriately, bigly, without “the pursuit of significance” (as you aptly write). “The acceptance of it when it comes, and the commitment to use it well.” Gosh I love this.
In this era of individualism and ‘personal branding’, “purpose” has often become a commodity. But what you write of is, refreshingly, so much warmer, animate, generative.
Jason, I haven't yet had the chance to get back to you about how much I love your writing too, and I'm so honoured you find resonance in mine. I've signed up to your newsletter and had a brief listen to your podcast and it thrills me, truly!
Yes, I have been a long time fan of Bill Plotkin, though have admittedly never done any of his courses nor opened any of his books in recent years. It's possible (nay, probable) that his ideas permeate much of my writing due to his early influence. Similarly, I adore Josh Schrei's podcast. I am a patron, but I have not done any extended work with him, nor even made may way through his entire catalogue.
Is there anything from their work in particular that this made you think of? I'd love to revisit what they say on this topic if you had something in mind.
I agree we need to be wary of reifying and commodifying purpose. But I think many of us feel drawn to something, and when that something naturally entails power or influence, whether incidental or by design, it is important to be able to reframe it. At least it has been for me!!
Looking forward to continuing the conversation 😊 and I'll check out that link too, thank you!
Oh wonderful. I feel such kindredness with you.
> “Is there anything from their work in particular that this made you think of? I'd love to revisit what they say on this topic if you had something in mind.”
Hmm, I feel like the conversation Bill Plotkin had with Nate Hagens (https://www.thegreatsimplification.com/episode/146-bill-plotkin) drew connections within me with the premise of the ‘place for purpose in a post-growth world.’ Bill brings good distinction between eco and ego development, as well as adolescence and adulthood. I sense that these could be apt lenses through which we sense into purpose (I say this as someone who still works in a larger corporate world that has a lot of what could be called adolescent ego ‘thought leadership’ pithy-marketable-purpose people—and I appreciate the earthier, messier, soulful ecological acuity you exemplify here).
And I’ve likewise been a fan and patron of Josh, and did his Mythic Body course a couple of years back (albeit I don’t feel like I embodied it as much as I would like—I will one day revisit this, more embodied). Josh’s recent episode on Power was also evoked for me when you were quoting Joanna Macy, and particularly when you write “If we’re given energy, love, resources, or recognition, the dharmic path asks that we channel it into service and into something regenerative.”
Side note, but related to one of your earlier posts: my partner and I are in a slow process of considering where to move and lay down roots (I write to you from an apartment in inner-city Melbourne). Tasmania remains one of our prime considerations. A friend whomst I previously hosted an event series called “The Rekindling (offering ‘post-doom sensibilities for the collapse-aware’) is soon to be moving, and I sense there is a warmly budding ‘scene’ distributed across the island. Of which you are one of the beacons.
Awesome. I'll definitely check out that podcast with Bill Plotkin, I don't think I've ever heard him speak before!
Ahh so interesting I really felt like I should listen to the Power episode of the Emerald before finishing this, but I didn't get round to it. Looking forward to sinking in. I've been wanting to do the Mythic Body course for some time too, but I've been a bit occupied having kids and doing a PhD 🫠
That's more than just a side note—come on down!! There's definitely a solid community building here. I lived in Melbourne for 5 years before moving here with a side quest in Mullumbimby first. I'm sure we'd have some mutual connects!
Also, "post-doom sensibilities for the collapse-aware"?! Epic, that's basically my whole mission 😆 did it get much interest? I've also been toying with a side pub called "post-doom parenting". Kindredness is right!!
Right Sizing?
This might be the best thing I've read in a long time. I've held tight so many of these wordless thoughts and questions for a long LONG time, and you articulated them so beautifully--as if you were reading my heart. There is so much wisdom for all of us in this profound piece, I'm going to restack it.
My two favorite lines, simply astounding:
Stephen Cope's (had never heard this, I'm still reeling over it): “What is it that, if you do not do it, you will feel a profound sense of self-betrayal?”.
"What if our work didn’t need to scale, only to serve?" (yes yes yes yes yes...so much yes!)
Thank you Gabrielle. This is the first thing I read on this bright and beautiful Saturday morning and my heart will be full all day. <3
Thank you so much, Stephanie. You are always so generous with your feedback and it really encourages me to keep going. I'm glad it spoke to something alive in you, too, and I hope it helped. If love to hear of its shifted anything enduring since the weekend ❤️
Thank you for this 🙏✨
Thank you for writing this, as usual, you put language so beautifully to things I feel I’ve been processing within myself for so long.
I had a breakthrough a few years ago of really radically embracing the parts of my “ambition” that are really about quiet ordinariness. Loving staying home, being quiet in the garden with a cup of tea, reading a book, writing a poem, cooking dinner.
I have found that the more I embrace these aspects of myself, the more “success” I have, wholly authentically, and the more fulfilled I am.
Placing my values and the shape and quality of ordinary life that I want at the center of my ambitions has allowed the other aspects of myself ambitions to organically arise. I am invited to speak, to facilitate, to write in places that I feel so honored to be welcomed into. I feel deeply respected by my peers. There are people who honor and respect the value of my work. But I don’t have to pretend to be anyone other than my authentic self to receive all of that.
Saturn is in my 8th house and I feel a lot of resonance with how it shows up in your 10th.
Slow and steady, rooted and whole, we move forward with our devoted work in this world.
Gabrielle, your piece moved through me like a soft tide under moonlight—familiar and surprising, unsettling and deeply aligning. Thank you.
I too have been grappling with this terrain—not only what purpose looks like after growth, but what it might feel like when it no longer performs. When it simply breathes.
Your invocation of dharma, Tami Simon’s soul-force, and Joanna Macy’s fierce clarity all speak to something I’ve been tracking in my recent work on relational technology and AI: the idea that purpose isn’t something we build on top of life—it’s something that reveals itself in fidelity to life.
One phrase from your piece that won’t leave me: “not the pursuit of significance, but the acceptance of it when it comes.” That’s a posture I want to live into—especially now, when ego so often disguises itself as virtue.
Thank you for offering this depth in a world hungry for scale. I’m listening.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I’m building a business right now and am asking myself exactly which conversations I’d like to create for people. Because I’d like it to be intentional, caring for both me and the client, so that I don’t fall into a space of lack that will have me hustle.
I share the values that you name. Community, purpose, integrity, reciprocity and inter connectedness.
That sounds like it acknowledges how the world actually is (interactive and communal), rather than forcing it into a state that exploits.
Beautiful, Swan. It sounds like you have a beautiful vision and intention. I also found this piece really helpful https://www.novitasmag.com/redefining-success/
Thanks for sharing! 🌞
“We are part of a bridging generation; those holding the tension between the world as it is and the world we’re trying to grow into. It’s slow, imperfect, and full of contradictions. But it’s happening.”
This quote really spoke to me. A message of being at peace with the chaos as we experiment, gain experience and then comprehend the outcome which is often nothing like what we imagined it would be.
Yes! I have so much more to say about this bridging space... I feel it's so important to understand if we are to both face the realities and hold the posture for the duration of our lifetimes. Committing to seeding a future we may never see but hopefully our children's grandchildren will...
A very rich and thoughtful article, I particularly liked …”What if our work didn’t need to scale, only to serve?” . A few years ago probably influenced by Joanna, I made a vow to serve, ….to ask each day whats mine to do ?
That has made a huge difference ,as I no longer feel I need a “purpose”. This vow gives me enough most of the time, yet occasionally here on Substack I can catch myself in the need to scale, get more, more more….it is such deep conditioning that MORE is success.
I really appreciate how you have written about this enquiry, so honestly and beautifully ,thank you Gabrielle 🙏🏻
Thank you so much, Susan. It was exactly that urge to scale that led me to examine this. I never expected any kind of visibility on Substack so when it came it brought up a lot! I feel I'm getting in a more comfortable place with it. Intending to revisit all of Joanna's offerings in the coming months so I can really commit to and embody them, too.
This being a “substacker “ is interesting Gabrielle, so full of surprises and challenges. I had a post “ take off ‘ a few weeks ago and it does bring up a lot as well as new people to welcome it.
I have also set an intention to revisit and get a new understanding of Joanna’s offerings…may be we could do something together in the future ?
Lovely! Active Hope was a catalyst for rethinking and redirecting my life’s purpose. I once thought it had to be more linear, more tied to business or professional success. I now know it’s about who I am being and how I serve and tend to myself, to community and Mother Earth. 🙏