An Alchemists Life

"To make images is a way of ordering one's world, of exploring and understanding one's relationship to existence... The images we make are often ahead of our own understanding, but to say 'yes' to a subject is also to have recognized, however dimly, a part of oneself; to lie with that image, to accept its significance is perhaps to grow in understanding." -John Blakemore

     For a long time I was under the impression that each person has a special talent or purpose in life that we can eventually channel into a career. This 'pursuit of purpose' claims to be the ultimate journey in life because it promises a destination of success, wealth or happiness. Heck, I bought into the idea at age 10 and was taking charge of my life, vocalizing my gifts to all my friends and family, setting my future in stone. I was a tiny passionate little woman with a grand plan: I would be a famous singer and head my own environmental conservation organization that I cleverly coined E.C.P. (Environmental Care Program). Although I wanted to accomplish all right then and there, I knew I had time. I took my time because at that point in life I believed that I would remain rooted to these dreams like a flower to the same bed of soil from which it blossoms. 

     Low and behold the daughter of an expatriate! I was hardly rooted to one bed of soil. As I traveled I experienced new faces, images  smells, and feelings. Those old dreams were weathered by experience and are now associated to that particular period of my life, not an ultimate purpose. My existence no longer revolved around the dreams I had as a child and yet I made no conscious decision to change them. The world transformed me into a writer, into a traveler, into a more introspective person. As I recognized the changes in myself I realized the temporarily and relativity of everything that we think we know and are. What I once deemed quintessential to my existence became hardly relevant, and every time I moved back to the United States something became increasingly more apparent. This notion of 'purpose' is so intoxicating that it has everyone here worried about their futures and discouraged by the successes of others. Every day I saw people who measured themselves against someone they believed was doing a better job at life!

     I've recently (within the past few years) adopted a new perspective on purpose. Not everyone has one particular purpose. We're all just sentient beings after all. If I didn't know any better, 'purpose' sounds like a deleterious deviation from a much richer quest for a more comprehensive alchemy of life. As Ralph Waldo Emerson states: "I fear the notion of success stands in direct opposition in all points to the real and wholesome success. One adores public opinion, the other private opinion; one, fame, the other desert; one, feats, the other, humility; one, lucre, the other love." 

When I ask myself why so many people fail to believe in the transformative power of their own dreams and passions I wonder... Where do they believe their 'purpose' comes from then? Do chooses their destiny?  Really though...if anyone has a thought on the matter, do explain. Are we strategically jawboned into believing in individual 'purpose' as motivation to pursue careers and successful futures as young American children? It's not too far fetched a concept for an anarchist Anthropologist to pose. 

Now I'm ranting. To the long overdue point! I found a project that allows me to incorporate many of my own passions into its creation: Anthropology, Ethnography, Writing, Design, Photography, Cross-cultural Abridgment, Art, Passion, Philosophy, Innovation, Rebellion, Introspection. As of a few weeks ago I began work on a magazine. It will be entirely web-based, grassroots and local in the beginning. Its subject is people who are following their passions and thus, entrepreneurship. It will begin local at first but eventually I'd like to create international volumes. I specifically want to honor the research I conducted in the Philippines. I've never met a man more devoted to his convictions and passions as Noel Pasco in San Juan. Noel's infinite devotion to his passion for sustainable ecotourist development and community empowerment is nothing less than inspirational. I can't wait to meet more passionate individuals in Austin, Tx.

Warm Regards,

Kelly (Anika)