On Not Needing to Change the World

My friend Nina’s favorite thing about my work is this:

I’m not in it to change the world.

I don’t do the things I do (writing, shamanic sessions, Human Design readings, etc.) because I want to help you or change you or make the world a more fill-in-the-blank place.

I do the things I do because I like how I feel when I’m doing them.

I like how I feel when I’m writing more than I like how I feel when I’m not writing.

I like how I feel when I’m offering shamanic sessions and Human Design readings more than I like how I feel when I’m not offering shamanic sessions and Human Design readings.

And sometimes that shifts, of course. When IVF hormones were kicking my behind, did you see me publishing or spreading the word about my one-to-one offerings?

You didn’t. Because, for a few months this year, not doing my work felt better than doing my work.

So I didn’t do my work for those months.

And, if I wrote musings that were longer than two pages, I’d go into the post-money world that my teachers anticipate we’re moving into. I’d expound upon how options like taking a break when we need it will eventually be available to all of us in the world I hope to help dream into being.

But for now I’ll focus on why Nina likes this thing about me.

She told me during a chance encounter in the ocean last year. As I was updating her on what had changed in my life since I had last seen her, she asked me to pause.

“Gahh,” she said, after asking about the “why” behind my work.

“That answer makes me trust you as a practitioner an inexpressible amount.”

There’s a quote that Liz Gilbert loves that goes like this:

"You can always tell people who live for others by the anguished expressions on the faces of the others."

She attributes it to “a great British wit” because she doesn’t know exactly who said it.

And I love it. Because we all know someone like that. Someone whose life is so intensely devoted to helping others or making the world a better place that they’re constantly surrounded by anguished expressions on the faces of others.

Because it can get heavy, that way of going through the world.

And here’s something fascinating: in Human Design and the Gene Keys, your chart spells out your prosperity archetype.

It’s about tapping into true prosperity — going through the world in the way that is most aligned for you — and there are six archetypes.

The first three are about enjoying your time on Earth. Delighting in your human experience. Sam and I have those ones.

The second three are about making a difference in the world. Leaving the planet better than you found it. Our friends Austen and Emily have those ones.

What’s aligned for me is different than what’s aligned for Austen. What’s aligned for Sam is different than what’s aligned for Emily.

And isn’t it such a relief to know that?!

Xo,

Your friend who is delighted to be delighting in her human experience again

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Morning Musings is a delight-first writing practice where I wake up, put my fingers on the keyboard and “learn in public” (credit: Liz Gilbert). If anything I write resonates with you, please share it freely.

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