In the moment, I am thinking about my place and contribution to the world/society in this lifetime. I am realizing that what I aim to do – at least on some level –is to contribute to the consciousness of humanity in a positive way. In addition to this process of realizing, I am becoming increasingly more open to the ways that I am, in fact, contributing and in what capacity. While this post appears to be about me (and in some ways, it is), it is also about how individuals and the collective perceive and place value on existing in the world –contributing to or taking from humanity – ,and in spaces where others experience their own existence. By profession(s), I am an educator and a counselor. These occupations, as a matter of recognizable fact, support what I know to be my higher calling/purpose as a Teacher/Healer/Activist/Leader. However, one's higher purpose can be accomplished in ways that are not defined by occupation or career. I am noticing that by deliberately attending to and reflecting on the opportunities I have taken advantage of, that contribute to humanity, strengthens the connection to my higher purpose. The subtle confirmations that I am moving through life in some sort of teaching, healing, activist, leading capacity comes back to me in surprising ways – an unsolicited email or conversation from a student, friend, colleague, group affiliation, family member, client or stranger. (I have also experienced push back from folks in the political sphere...more on that later...).

We often wonder what our life-journey is really for and whether, or not, we are fulfilling its purpose. The signs are all around us if we pay attention to them. While “birds of a feather flock together” as the saying goes, the way each person realizes his or her (or their) mission may be slightly different. We are at a pivotal moment where our humanity is being compromised from every possible angle – politically, socially, educationally, religiously, personally, etc. The question is how are we (each of us) going to act in ways that move the collective us closer to a humanistic moral center? What is your place in the world, and how can you position yourself to bring value to society a little differently than you currently are? These can be some challenging questions, but worth the mental effort and physical stamina for positive change, which is sorely needed right now.

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