A little insight into what I'm all about...

1) What is your purpose?

My purpose is to protect and restore the natural world, and in doing so demonstrate to others how fulfilling a sustainable life can be.

2) What do you love, and how do (or will) your actions demonstrate this? We at Gaia believe that following your heart is the best way to help the whole planet. What do you care about, and what do you most enjoy doing?

I came to discover my purpose through a very spiritual journey, one that has put me down a path I could have never imagined.   Saying that I love the natural beauty this world has to offer is a given, however what really drives me is constantly questioning how others view that beauty.  I love exploring their thoughts and experiences, and framing environmental problems and solutions in a way they can relate to.  It goes beyond a desire to learn physical science and policy and takes me into a world much less certain and filled with surprises and lessons. 

I’ve had the privilege of hearing that I helped someone re-discover her faith.  I’ve seen people make the connection between the environment and poverty in a way they never thought of.  I love thinking of untraditional ways to express ideas, using art or even thought-provoking protests (peaceful, of course).   So often I see people limiting their human experience, and I can’t imagine loving anything more than helping them open the doors to ideas they had never considered.


3) Write your ideal job description.  Forget about job titles like 'doctor' or 'artist' or 'lawyer.' If you could get paid just to live, how would you spend your time? What would you devote your life to? What would your days be like?

I cannot imagine spending my life doing anything but challenging the status quo in every sense.  I see my life going forward having two threads, the first of which involves working on the very institutions our society is built on.  In studying the intersection between business and economics with the environment I’ve been able to explore ideas such as why corporations can’t go beyond being “less bad” and become truly restorative to the environment supporting them.  Or why governmental institutions are ineffective in preserving our natural resources.  I truly believe that these building blocks of society can be changed, and I cannot wait to dive in and be one of the people that will change the way global commerce and policy happens.

The other thread that I will devote my life to is a more personal one.  I look around and see people living lives that are so removed.  We rely on text messages and have no idea where our food came from.  If I had to state the most profound thing I’ve learned from pursuing a more sustainable life, it would be that I became so much more connected to the community around me, as well as to my own spiritual beliefs.  A sustainable life leads to a full life, and spreading that message is immensely important to me.  Before school I was able to work within religious communities to explore this message with others, and I cannot wait to do more of that in the future.

Endless possibilities.  I am lucky enough to be in an amazing graduate school program, and the opportunities available to me have been incredible.  What a gift to be able to pursue work you're passionate about and will hopefully make a difference in the world!

The last thing I learned how to do is to let go. There's been a lot of stress in my family life lately, and I have had to learn to accept that I can't control other people's decisions.  I can offer advice, and be there for them, but I have to focus on living the best life I can.  I cannot let their choices affect my life to the extent they have.  And while it's been a hard lesson, and I'm still learning how to do this better, it has lowered my blood pressure!

Enjoy the luxury of learning about your passion non-stop for two years. It will go so fast...