Social Entreprise...or just good for your soul?

Definition of Social Enterprise from Wiki...A social enterprise is an organization that applies commercial strategies to maximize improvements in human and environmental well-being, rather than maximizing profits for external shareholders....

Simply described it is good business with good people who have big passions, which benefit many.


There is no time like the present for change that inspires, it seems whomever you talk with these days is asking for more. We are complaining of a lack of drive to get up in the morning and wondering if there isn't more to life?

The easy answer is YES there is more to life.

The HARD part is allowing your heart to show you the way. I think we all know what our gifts are, what we're passionate about, what moves us, and what pulls on our heartstrings. The difficult part is allowing our ego to speak it, allowing our most trusted friends to hear it, and the permission to do 'it'. However if you are reading this and thinking, "No, I don't know what my gifts are... and that is my problem!" Then ask yourself the following questions. What stirs your heart when you are watching a movie? What tears you up during a conversation? What makes you angry or righteous when you hear of a wrongdoing? These are usually good 'heart hints' on where to start looking for your gifts and talents. Check out Laura Berman Fortgang's article for more on the Top Ten Ways to Discover Your Unique Gifts.

Ipad drawing by Paula Timm

Ultimately, baby steps are the answer to making a complete life change. For many the problem is getting out of bed and going to the soul-sucking job that provides food for a family of five. So making a huge change seems more risky and more selfish than humanly possible. That is where the baby steps come in, taking incremental steps to bring these gifts into your daily practice. Perhaps it is organizing a team-building event that involves your gift/talent. A family meeting where you inspire projects that helps your children look within for their gift. Get together with close friends where you brainstorm on each other’s talents with and set goals. These small actions with co-workers, family and friends will inevitably be contagious all the while they are refueling your soul, and fostering bigger change for all involved.

Feeling overwhelmed yet? Well don’t, because it doesn't always have to be about the BIG stuff. I think many of the heartwarming success stories start from a small seed, that grew because it was nurtured, and as it grew it was so inspiring to others to see the growth that they couldn't help but support it and be inspired by it. So just do one small thing each day to reinforce your vital connection to this world, to remind yourself that there is more and that you can connect to it. Small stuff can look like opening a door for someone in need, being present in a difficult conversation, making eye contact, smiling to a stranger.

Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW is a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She has spent the past decade studying people and their life stories. Through thousands of interviews, she has found that when “you trade your authenticity for safety, you may experience the following: anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addiction, rage, blame, resentment, and inexplicable grief”. 

Brené has an amazing way with words, she says, '...vulnerability is basically uncertainty, risk and emotional exposure'. She goes on to say 'that our culture has taught us to avoid discomfort and our inability to experience it limits the fullness of life’s uncertainties- love, belonging, trust, joy and creativity'. Brené's research underscores the importance of finding our authentic gifts and living a vulnerable existence.

I learned the importance of Brené's work the hard way; I lived my life staying safe and avoiding discomfort, when one day I awoke in ICU. All I knew was that I needed to change everything in my life and be happier. It took a while but when I started I knew I had to declare my secret gift. I am an artist. Next, to share that gift - I exhibit my work. Then, spread the enthusiasm - I teach art.  Nearly three years since that day when everything changed, I choose to live in a bit of discomfort by embracing my vulnerabilities to get to my authentic self and bask in the feeling of connection. 

When you are clear with your self, you speak your heart, you speak your desire, and you speak the intention for your future. Nothing can get in your way, it's infectious, people resonate with you, people want you to succeed, and you become the SOCIAL ENTERPRISE. Make the investment, this is a high-risk portfolio, this is your life, and this is what your kids and the new generations are learning to repeat.