“Painters Paint”

Shifting from the high-demands of law school and practice, to motherhood, and now into a hybrid-like entrepreneurial path has been a lot of hard pivots, as you can imagine. 

At this point, I am a difficult person to define, at least in the typical “what do you do, exactly?” sense. 

Ironically, something that is difficult to grasp from the outside has never been more harmonious internally, but that’s been hard-fought over time -  packed with lots of therapy, coaching, and identity shifting. 

I recently watched a reel that put it all in perspective. A young artist (painter), about two years into owning his primary role as creator for his livelihood was telling a story about how, a few years before, his economist father interpreted a depressive state he was in with this reply: “when was the last time you painted?” 

His dad knew something he had not totally unlocked: to ignite his real passion in all that he does from job to simply passing the time, he needed to be operating in his gifting, his sweet spot, his passion. 

Now, taking on his full identity doing what he was made to do, he is living his best life. Of course with the usual challenges, but a lot fewer moments of those hard-resets he needed when his dad asked him that important question. 

The truth is, I’ve been spending the last two years mulling over the how’s of what I know I need to do, instead of just doing them. 

Those things can be boiled down to: 

Connecting. 

Helping (Teaching). 

And Writing. 

I’ve researched the systems, hunted down the right opportunities, and met myself with countless distractions. 

For a really long time, I tried to settle the pendulum many struggle through today: 

Stay-at-home mom, or working mom? 

The dichotomy, as we know, is no longer that simple. And neither are our defining jobs and roles. And really, it wasn’t the right question. 

If you followed me around for a week or two, it looks a bit like chaos - every day differs and relies heavily on shifting schedules of both our own family’s and others’. It’s often interrupted by sick kids, weather, vehicle trouble, and countless other factors. Probably not so different from your own life & activity-filled schedule (just without the PTO). 

My world-facing, “paying” jobs sound unrelated and messy right now. It’s confusing to people what I do exactly. But I no longer define myself by the bounds of a corporate box or single affiliation. My role, across multiple platforms, circles, businesses, and spheres is simply this: 

Spend time with people, get to know them, know their businesses, understand how they help people - and connect them with the people who need to find them. 

And it is the most rewarding, and fulfilling work I’ve ever done. It enables me to do more of what I was made for: being a mom and serving and helping others through connection, resources and writing. It doesn’t fit in a perfect box, but that shouldn’t keep me from simply doing. Not anymore.