Eleanor Rouse

I’ve been thinking a lot about possibility this week after being somewhat cranky with JetBlue for losing my luggage on a direct flight from Richmond to Boston nine days ago. Having to replace my essentials and mourn the loss of my favorite jewelry, shoes, clothes and make-up (ok, I acknowledge that these are just things!) was not on my to do list this week.

I’ve also felt a sense of unease as I am in the middle of creating a significant career transition – one I believe in with all of my being yet whose exact structure has yet to take form. I was in need of a new dose of courage and a little inspiration.

And there it was, again in the beloved New York Times. A story about a self-described “average looking”, former taxi-dispatcher, 27-year-old single mother, Lauren Luke, who started posting videos of herself on YouTube demonstrating how to use the make-up she was selling on eBay. Her cat and her laundry in the background.

She has become an internet sensation with millions of fans and now, corporate sponsors the likes of Sephora. People love her because she is a self-described “everyday woman”, slightly plump with a fabulous Newcastle accent that she hasn’t masked – distinctly different from the beauty scene we are used to. I love her because she is doing what she loves, creating what she can and going for it. And the Universe is rewarding her in kind.

Then I receive in my inbox the latest music video from Playing For Change, an organization I have recently come to know and love. The lead in their newly formed Playing For Change band is Grandpa Elliott, a gentleman who spent his life playing music on a particular corner in New Orleans and now, as an old man, is touring the world. Anything is possible.

And of course, there is Judge, now Associate Justice, Sonia Sotomayor. She is only the 3rd woman to serve on the Supreme Court since its establishment in 1790. (That’s 3 women in 219 years!) I’m thrilled for her, her amazing mother, our country and all the “Wise Latinas” out there sporting their t-shirts and their pride.

Lastly, I went to see the hugely entertaining movie, “Julie & Julia” about Julia Child and her admirer, blogger-turned-published author Julie Powell. It was super fun icing on the cake for my inspiring week about possibility.

My courage for and commitment to my new path was fortified by each of these stories. All of these people are/were doing what they love and feel driven to do by passion and joy.

You’ve all likely read the Joseph Campbell quotation about doors opening when you follow your bliss. So I offer you this instead that I think is particularly beautiful…

“I don’t know whether my consciousness is proper consciousness or not; I don’t know whether what I know of my being is my proper being or not; but I do know where my rapture is. So let me hang on to rapture, and that will bring me both my consciousness and my being.” – Joseph Campbell, The Power of Myth

It seems the theme of this week for me and, I hope, for you: know where your rapture is and anything is possible.