Being a Catalyst for Good
2024 marked a year of challenges, tons of waves, memories, losses, and constantly seeking moments and experiences of joy and laughter. One thing I consistently feel is love – my ability to share and show up with love for my family, compassion and understanding with and for my clients, and feeling loved by my community. For the better part of 2024, I tried to focus on my deeper purpose – to support, encourage, affirm, and deepen the confidence and leadership within others. Though it was hard at times, I continued to surprise myself by showing up as ME. The world, the narratives, the news, social media, can often influence and confuse your own voice with that of others.
Pro Humanitate (For Humanity) is the motto of my alma mater, Wake Forest University. 25 years ago, I entered that campus as a lover of literature and language inspired and encouraged by a “calling to use our knowledge, talents and compassion to better the lives of others.” Learning and living and growing as a student, I was challenged to use my ideas, knowledge, talents and compassion on behalf of humanity in all its difference and diversity — in short, to be a catalyst for good. Regardless of much I have been able to actualize this, and the many times I have fallen short, my belief that I could be a catalyst for good has never wavered. I
I invite all of you to join me in seeking, working, and being the catalyst for good with love, compassion, and strength in 2025. Be hopeful, try even in the amidst of fear, and create the opportunity for you to surprise yourself!
Here are a few tips I offer to support your journey ahead.
- Instead of bracing and complying – heal and take risks;
- Resist the instinct to only focus on you and yours – deepen your sense of humanity and work together, in community and in deep solidarity;
- Don’t let defense consume your all; preserve and create space to build a path that creates a future you envision; and
- Harness deep faith in yourself, in others, in a higher power that connects to your purpose in your life.
“Who I am really keeps surprising me.” – Nikki Giovanni “
"Life is to be lived, not controlled, and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat.” - Ralph Ellison