I create cultural support for those who live with heightened awareness, perception and sensitivity.
By the time Elaine Aron had published her landmark book, The Highly Sensitive Person, I was already 26 years-old, and had accepted the mainstream lie that I should be ashamed of, and resist, my high sensitivity. Today, thanks to personal growth and self-acceptance, I no longer apologize for my keen nervous system. I am grateful to have more bandwidth, more receptivity, more processing power.
As a former Cubicle Worker, Park Ranger, Hospice Chaplain (and many other renaissance roles), I know the exhaustion and disappointment that comes from constantly looking for that elusive Dream Job -- one that suits your gifts, interests and sensitivities.
Well, as naive as this may sound, I simply could not give up on the idea that life is to be ENJOYED, not merely endured. When I was doing hospice work, I learned from my terminal patients that:
"There are things worse than dying... like living halfway!"
Spending 30% to 50% of my time in an environment I do not want to be in, doing things I do not want to do is living half-way. Waiting for 5:00 pm to come... or Friday to come... so "real" life can start... that is living half-way. I refused to accept the illusion that maturity and responsibility means losing your Smile and your Inner-Fire. No! That dry-bone, uninspired crap is not for me! I choose differently. I insist on having my cake, eating it, and sharing it with others.
So, because I had tried so many different career paths and none of them fully suited me, I knew I needed to transform a W-2 mentality (employee consciousness) into a 1099 mentality (resume-burning self-employed consciousness). I worked on my belief systems... I built my self-confidence to the level of seeing ME as my own provider... of insurance... of abundant income... and with that Ready-Mindset I eventually discovered My Way.
I am totally committed to giving Sensitive People and Empaths the vocational help and encouragement I was so desperate to find for myself. It is my pleasure to show you that (and how) your Life and Work can be deliciously filled with meaning, joy, plenty, generosity and transformation.
With Much Love, Erika
*P.S.* I get a lot of questions about the host/provider of this site, which is Site Build It! (aka SBI!) I love SBI!. Here's why:
WRITERS, this may be of special interest you...
It started with a very basic WordPress blog (lifeblazing.com). On November 19, 2008 I wrote a blog posting there titled, "Joyful Work for Sensitive People." That was a pivotal moment, because that little post took on a life of its own! As I wrote it, I remember feeling an Urgent Purpose and an Inspired Energy I hadn't experienced before. Not at that intensity, anyway. Well, one week later (literally, one week) I had purchased an SBI! site ($299/year for everything) and this website was born.
I have a liberal arts background, and am not at all highly technical. But Something was pushing me (in a way that felt wonderful), and I was determined to build... to create... to connect. I'm very self-reliant, and didn't like the idea of my creative process being held-up by someone else's schedule or priorities, so it never occurred to me NOT to build this site myself. Thankfully, SBI! has broken down every single step and aspect. When you purchase your site, you get a 10-Day Action Guide that shows you the entire process of creating a successful online business.
Based on my own experience with this site, I can tell you that it *is* possible. If you are willing to do a little bit of work every day, (this is "get rich slow") you can build something of importance and inspiration. Something that will put you in touch with people who share your interests all over the world. Something that will make your heart and income grow.
