Welcome to the 86th issue of Impact Curator! I curate this fortnightly newsletter for all of you who believe in transforming their community by amplifying the impact of the changemakers around them.
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Hello Reader, I currently read more than usual and I spend a lot of time in my head and on the page writing - what a privilege. I feel fortunate to live in a two-income household (until recently) and I'm glad I took Tori Dunlap's advice to set up an emergency fund (I genuinely didn't think I'd ever need it, ha!). But I'll let you in on something: I feel guilty for resting. It feels indulgent to read books and sort through the mess in my head and heart knowing full well that I could sling burgers or work my way up to manage at Domino's (where you earn more than I did in my non-profit job trying to make the world a better place. Not that pizza doesn't make the world a better place but you know what I mean.). It feels luxurious to spend the summer with my family at the pool or on adventures on a random Wednesday. I grapple with working out in the middle of the day instead of at the 5.30 a.m. class because I now can. It feels extravagant to get enough sleep and spend slow mornings with my family instead of rushing out the door, through my workday and back home - only to collapse on the sofa to wonder when I stopped being able to keep up. Taking this summer to figure some things out is a huge privilege and if you read this with a twinge of jealousy, I get it. Up until recently, I would have felt the same way. Now that I'm in the middle of it (I try to think of it as a sabbatical), I can tell you that it is very enjoyable most days. But there are also days when I can't enjoy it because the responsibilities of a parent and home-owner don't stop (hello basement leek, camp schedule and flat tire!) and because figuring your stuff out isn't always easy, and certainly not enjoyable. If you want to see how I make the most of sabbatical read on: Between my earsLife, most recently: Things I'm excited about, pondering and trying out:
Thank you everyone who sent their book recommendations following my last newsletter! I added them to my reading list! What are your favorite summer reads and/or books about transitions? Hit "reply" to this email and share it!
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In week three of the Artist's Way, Julia Cameron stopped me in my tracks:
"Anyone honest will tell you that possibility is far more frightening than impossibility, that freedom is far more terrifying than prison. If we do, in fact, have to deal with a force beyond ourselves that involves itself in our lives, then we might have to move into action on those previously impossible dreams."
Since being laid off a month ago, I had a hunch that - after recklessly pursuing a job that I greatly enjoyed - it was time to slow down and really tune in to what I truly wanted from life in this next chapter. For two and a half years, I was chasing the next milestone, zipping through the Valley to help develop the ecosystem and planning the next quarter more audaciously than the previous one. Never once did I stop to ask myself what general direction I was headed, or what MY dreams were for myself, my family, my career.
Over the last few weeks, I realized that I want to place a thoughtful order with the universe. I am convinced that once you get very clear on what you want, and you place that order (with God, the universe or whatever higher power you believe in), it WILL find its way to you. And when it does, you better be ready.
I come across a lot of resources that I want to share with fellow ecosystem builders and changemakers. If we're connected on LinkedIn or Instagram, they might already show up in your feed! In case you missed any, here's my curated list from the last two weeks:
Jobs
For more jobs with purpose, make sure to connect with Servane Mouazan and Julia Firestone on LinkedIn - both of them share more jobs with impact than anyone I know (drop them a little note and say hi, don't make it weird).
Mark your calendars for 2024:
I will be back in your inbox in two weeks!
In camaraderie,
Anika
I'm an ecosystem builder for social change. I love telling the stories of systemic changemakers around the world who make their communities a better place to live, work and play.
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