We are wrapping up the first month of the year, and with that, our theme of villages and goals (although, as you know by now, I am never not talking about this theme anyway). For this last week, I wanted to extend an invitation to all of us to reflect on how our insights on our villages can also inform how we continue building them (on that note, check out the upcoming events section if you are in the DC metro area!).
We covered plenty of ground when it comes to our villages: who is part of ours, whose we are part of, how they shape our lives and goals, and what gifts they have brought to our lives. The thing about villages that make them hard to pinpoint sometimes is that they are everchanging. You may have moved to a place far away (like many of us), and therefore found yourself needing to create new villages, or you may have never moved away from your hometown, and still found your villages change over time. None of us are spared from contemplating and experiencing these changes over time. External conditions might change, but our own inner growth also reflects into our villages at each point in time.
Building our village is an ongoing process and practice. Sometimes, we feel we might not need as much of or from it. But like Gisela said during our last episode of Lucky to Be Here, do not wait until you need your village to build and nurture it. Even from a professional perspective, you can continue to expand your network even while you feel comfortable and secure at your job. Not because you are job searching, but because you are following your curiosity, learning from others, growing your understanding of what is possible, and nurturing relationships that can open doors to more joyful and expansive life.
The question I shared with you last week was about the gifts you get from your village, those small and big ways that make you feel supported, encouraged, and even expanded by those around you. This week, I want to take this question into its natural progression. As you are thinking about your goals for your life and career,
What is one intention you can set for yourself in regard to your village?
Perhaps in thinking about their gifts, you realized that you can rely on them (more) for your next steps towards your vision. Or as you think about where you are and where you want to be, you notice that your village could benefit from having a few new members you can lean into as you grow on that one hobby or passion of yours. There is no right or wrong answer, only what speaks to you at this point in time. (Side note: if you happen to seek expanding your support system for your career exploration, we welcome you at AGV Lab for Career Explorers!).
Our monthly discussion may wrap up here, with more clarity on who your village is and what intention for this year you want to lean into. But this conversation does not end, and we will be here to support you along the way. If you are in the DC Metro area, we are launching a collaboration with Creative Colony Spaces to host Networking Lab @ Creative Colony, a recurring happy hour with light facilitation by yours truly, and it starts next month (also on my birthday week, so come say happy birthday to me!). Join us there for a judgment-free space to get to know each other and continue building our villages. You will find more information in the Upcoming events section below.
So, what is your intention for this year, or even this month, in regards to your village? Mine is to continue leaning into mine in a more authentic, less I-can-do-it-all-by-myself eldest-daughter type of way, and to keep building spaces where we can connect and strengthen our communities.
I look forward to hearing your intentions and insights! I see you next week for a new episode of Lucky to Be Here, where we head to Stockholm to keep diving into finding home away from home while pivoting careers.
