I’ve heard this so many times in the past but quite frankly, it doesn’t make it any easier to accept than hearing there will always be prejudice, or discrimination or hatred. Shouldn’t we all give back to our communities and to humanity to at least try to mitigate each others suffering? It’s so easy to get wrapped up in our own lives that we end up searching for the “missing pieces”. I think at some point we all feel that void, whether it be spiritual or emotional or otherwise. We reflect and search for the greater meaning of life.

Lachlan and I have been discussing lately the great balancing act that we face. The desire not to be a corporate whore is constantly battling with the need for basic financial survival. I’m very envious of those who have the kind of job that fulfills them both financially and emotionally…. does that even exist? I have to hope that it does and that I won’t forever be selling my creative soul to commercial interests, as it were. This is something that I have battled with my entire career in design. I’ve longed for a design position that had meaning, whether it be for an environmental or social cause but the truth of the matter is that those kind of positions usually don’t pay the bills.

To counteract that desire I’ve had to think of my job as a means to do the things that I want and enjoy (like fund the progress of my photography) but also as a means for community outreach. I had the pleasure of directing our King County United Way drive last year at work that raised over $10k. My boss matched that amount to send to Katrina victims. I also organized a backpacks for hope donation drive for children of New Orleans and provided hundreds of kids with school supplies. It’s in these kind of acts that I’ve filled the void. There is something incredible about being able to leave the world a little bit better than you found it.

To Be Continued…

none