An Impact Journey
I abide in the belief that each person has a deep desire to contribute to the betterment of the world. We all have a unique contribution that can enrich the world around us. I know that every one of us keeps a burning impulse to make a difference.
This impulse is an impact journey.
Most of us can’t hear this call over the bustling noise of life and their own mind. We can unknowingly hide this flame, but our inclination is never extinguished. It lingers in the space of our authentic presence.
Even those that hear the call may choose not to listen. We can live beautiful and fulfilling lives without taking a single step on this path.
There are a few who hear and follow the march of their hearts, embarking on their difference making journey. They begin a journey of transformation and connection. They seek to create a lasting impact on the world around them. At times, the journey can become ugly, frustrating, and painful. Yet, it is a worthy adventure.
An impact journey is born from love. Your authentic love is what inspires you to make the world a better place than you found it. This same love connects you to every other person in this world. It is an impersonal connection between all living beings and the earth. The infinite spring of love within you ignites and feeds your difference making journey.
If you have a dormant desire to make a difference, if you act from the call that echoes in your heart, then read on.
Before we explore the details of an impact journey, I would like to share a story:
A Serendipitous Meeting
Before I was Rich Life, I was Mr. Oz, middle school English teacher. For 5 years I taught, all the while carrying the seed of an impact journey in my heart. I wanted to make a difference to the world around me, and I knew I could, but I took no action. The call continued to whisper at me all as I transitioned careers, becoming Coach Rich. I coached clients toward weight loss goals using motivational techniques. For another five years, I learned and grew. While this position was more aligned, I still did not engage directly in my journey. The seed lay dormant. That is, until one October day.
As I walked through the door, the fragrant aroma of coffee greeted me. I love the smell but hate the taste, so I ordered a tea. Bright splashes of color from books and magazines surrounded me as I waited for my tea to brew. I am probably making this sound a bit romanticized, really, it was a Starbucks inside a Barnes and noble. A woman with tan skin and highlighted brown hair sat in a chair, waiting for me. I knew her as a yoga teacher, but she was much more as I would soon learn
The legs of a chair scraped the floor as she got up to give me a hug. I can still hear the sound of her warm alto voice.
“Hey Rich, how have you been?”
We sipped tea and coffee as we exchanged news about my mother in law and checked in with each other. The reason I met with her was to get some CBD for my anxious hound dog. She had a supply and would give me a good price on locally farmed CBD. We exchanged a check for the CBD and we chatted over coffee and tea.
I don’t know what moved me to open my heart to her on that day. During the past few months, I felt more drawn to take the first steps on my impact journey. On the edge of a precipice of change, I just needed a push. I had yet to take any action. Whatever moved me, I shared the clouded beginnings of my vision with Karen.
“I think I want to start a business . . .” I said hesitantly.
She asked questions I had few answers for. My impact journey wasn’t very clear. I didn’t have a name for the business. I didn’t know who I would help or how I would help them.
What I did know was that I had a yearning to help others. I had half formed ideas. I knew my journey would involve coaching, speaking, and writing. That I could have the ability to change the lives of others inspired me. I would impact the lives of others in a way both profound and beautiful.
Karen listened to this seed. She held space for it. We shared a building excitement for what could be. We talked about possibilities, what ifs, and visions. Then, Karen brought me back to solid ground. Not tomorrow but today.
“This is all great, but what is the very next step you can take?”
I wasn’t sure. What did I have to do to start a business? Instead of letting me flounder with my jaw open for too long, Karen gave me direction.
“How about we set up an LLC. I believe it only costs a dollar right now.”
I didn’t know what an LLC was at the time, but I was game, especially if it only was a dollar. The state lowered the price that year to encourage new businesses. Bonus!
“I want to start, but I’m not sure I can,” I said.
When I had made the decision to share my impact journey with Karen, I didn’t know one important detail. Along with being a yoga teacher, Karen was an entrepreneur. Not only an entrepreneur, she owned a successful local accounting business. AND, as a part of her practice, she consulted with small businesses to get them started and off the ground.
She got paid to help people in my exact situation. There was no other person I could have met for coffee with better suited to help me.
Then, she shocked me with an offer.
“You know Rich, helping business get started is fun for me, and I want to help you get rolling. How about we meet together once a month? No charge.”
“Really? Absolutely!”
We both were true to our commitment. After that first meeting, we met once a month for a year. During that time, I changed my last name to my mothers maiden name of Life. My new legal name became Rich Life. The name of the business also came to me: Rich Life Realization. Then, in September of 2022, with Karen’s help, I formed Rich Life Realization LLC.
The reason I am telling you this is sometimes we need a guide to help us along our impact journey. Not everyone gets to meet the exact right person. May this be the right article at the right time for you. May it spark your journey or take it to the next level.
The 5 Elements of an Impact Journey
An impact journey is a powerful experience you can have in your life. There are infinite variations on how impact journeys can show up in the world. What makes it an impact journey? They do share common elements.
There are five:
An impact journey is continual, benevolent, fluid, and creative. Also, your impact journey starts with you.
An impact journey is continual
This is not a one and done kind of thing. Your journey will not culminate in a trophy you can receive. Much like a journey in the world, you will pass landmarks and stop to rest. With an impact journey, there is no true destination. It is continual. Because this journey is bigger than you, your impact will outlast you. Your impact journey is a part of the legacy you leave. You step forward, day by day.
An impact journey is benevolent
The direction of change that you make in the world will be positive. We, as humans, hate to see our world suffering. We know how it feels to hurt. No one wants to see pain and suffering in the lives of others. Our journey will positively influence the lives of people, animals, or nature.
You want to make a beautiful difference in the world. This difference doesn’t have to be earth shattering. A single smile is enough. Those who engage with your journey will be positively affected.
An impact journey is fluid
Your impact journey is not static. The creative unknown feeds your journey, creating scenery changes and transformations over time. Your expression of this journey, what you do and how you do it, will be in constant flux. Just when you think you have it all figured out, your journey morphs. One action will lead to the next, but it is ok to change tracks or even start all over. You might even take long breaks from expressing your impact. That, too, is a part of the experience.
An impact journey is creative
There is a generative nature to each journey. You create what doesn’t yet exist. You use your creative intelligence to clarify your journey and transmute it into the world of form. This doesn’t mean that your journey has to be through art, although it can. Your creative expression might include writing, speaking, coaching, leading, or designing. There is magic in the creative spirit that lies within. Your journey holds a mystical, creative quality.
Your impact journey starts with you
You are the change agent, the difference maker. You spark the transformation in the lives of others. Even if it begins with you, it is not about you. Your impact journey should not feed your ego or make you feel superior.
The impact journey comes from an impersonal space from within you. It expresses through you. It is bigger than you or your egoic mind. Because it isn’t about you, it is different from fulfilling a dream. Many people have dreams about becoming a singer or a millionaire. While a dream is about you and what you want, an impact journey is for others. Your journey begins with you, but it is not about you.
The true core of all impact journeys is pure love. This love is similar to what you feel in a relationship, but it is an impersonal love. The background of our expereince of life is one of love. When we get quiet, love remains.
When we feel love for another, we acknowledge the connection between us. We also acknowledge connection when we engage with our impact journey.
I will be posting articles on this blog designed to help you remove mental roadblocks. Sometimes, even the best of us get stuck. Mental insecurity, imposter syndrome, and fears stop us from expressing our journeys fully.
May these words unstisck you. May it free you to share with easy confidence. It is time to unleash your creativity.
Realize your rich life through an exploration of your impact journey. I want to support as many people as I can because “this is fun for me, and I want to help you get rolling.” If you found this valuable, could you share it with someone who wants to take their journey to the next level.
Want support? Join a community of aspiring thought leaders who are engaging in their impact journey!
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