For the past few months, my life has been in a state of upheaval (positive spin: transition). From what to what? I’m not sure because several areas in my life are in a state of becoming. But I’ve noticed that a few of the old things have come to their end or fallen away, and new opportunities are sprouting up. Regularly, no less. For example, my term as president of the neighborhood association came to its natural conclusion, and almost simultaneously, a deeply fulfilling return to the world of theatre materialized almost entirely out of thin air–after a thirteen-year hiatus.
I’ve long believed that living is all about fulfilling one’s calling by serving others. And the notion that being fully engaged in the present is far more productive than obsessing over the destination is just beginning to sink in.
Why?
Because!
Think of where we’d be if all of us were only concerned with our own needs. Well, just look at the news and you can witness firsthand what that world would be like. Add to that the reality that we humans only have so much mental bandwidth to work with. When we obsess about the future, we miss out on the blessings in our path today. They don’t necessarily come to full fruition at first glance, sometimes they don’t bloom until their appointed time.
I don’t know if you’re anything like me, but it’s only in hindsight that I ever really know where Providence has been guiding me. The destination is always exactly where I’ve longed to be, but the route is far more circuitous and rewarding than I could have ever imagined. As for an awareness of the intended lessons? That doesn’t manifest until much later. (Hey, I’m just keeping it real, folks.)
Every once in a great while, Providence gives me a glimpse of the next adventure in my journey of becoming–but only if I’m paying attention to what’s happening around me in the here and now.
Classic example.
I hadn’t told anyone I wanted to devote more time to my nonprofit, Our Human Family. But the longing was all but palpable for me.
Near the end of my term as president of my neighborhood association late last year during a Choice neighborhood meeting, Tara Gilbert, Lift Orlando’s Director of Economic Viability, told me about her upcoming workshop for nonprofit entrepreneurs for spring 2025. Her enthusiastic elevator pitch piqued my interest, and I told her as much—but with all that was going on at the time, the follow-up fell through the cracks. A couple of months later, our paths crossed a few more times, and Ms. Gilbert reminded me in person and via email of the course and the application process. Finally, it dawned on me that that was Providence’s signal to me that this was an opportunity I needed to pursue.
And I’m glad I did.
Thursday night, a handpicked cohort of charitable organization founders, nonprofit thought leaders, grantors, facilitators and I wrapped up the Lift Orlando Small Business Institute’s nonprofit workshop. Ms. Gilbert–and Mr. Joseph Simmons, from The Center for Micro-Entrepreneurial Training (CMET)–vetted a passionate group of nonprofit entrepreneurs, each of us with missions and visions unique to our charitable organization but all with the common desire to empower and uplift our target audiences.
During the course’s six consecutive meetings, Gilbert and Simmons fostered a nurturing environment in which we all learned from one another’s challenges and applied those solutions to our own nonprofit. Probably the best part of the workshops was the parade of subject experts brought in to share best practices to ensure a successful and sustainable business. Each facilitator delivered their presentation in an accessible and engaging manner with self-assuredness that comes only from first-hand experience and an engaging sense of humor.
I’m intentionally being vague about the principles shared because I highly recommend all parties interested in attending the workshop, reach out to Tara Gilbert, sign up for one of her workshops, and discover for themselves. I, for one, don’t have an MBA, nor am I a business mastermind. But now I have a clearer vision, a provocative mission folks can get behind, and a better understanding of what it takes to serve our readers, achieve those goals, and shine my light a lot brighter.
Being a source of light, hope, and unity are important. Especially now. Brace yourselves, people. New and exciting things are in the works at Our Human Family!
Thank you, Tara and Joseph.
Love one another.
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