Making a living from my purpose

[AlisonJane]

I think I’ve found my purpose, but …

I don’t see how to make a living from it.

I have studied women's issues and been involved with women's rights in various guises over the years. I think the inequalities women endure by virtue of their sex in every society around the globe and since the beginning of time is so incredibly unjust it's outrageous.

I am impassioned by the need to raise awareness of this injustice, its limitless forms, causes and expression. I'd like to study, research, write, investigate, record, observe, commentate, communicate and educate people about it. I want to sing it from the rooftops. If I can make a living doing that, I could put money back into programs in developing countries to help women who endure the worst forms of poverty and oppression.

I have studied law and worked with international women’s rights organisations and know that nothing inspires me more. However I need to make a decent living. In fact, I'd like to achieve financial abundance but the notion of it feels inconsistent with this purpose. Am I wrong?

I know that I could spend the rest of my life being passionately involved in creating awareness surrounding women’s issues. What I don’t know or can't see is how to make a living from it.

Any ideas, comments, suggestions and thoughts much appreciated.

[CallMeJones]

Women are even allowed to fight in battle now and I don't think that's right. Well, I am a man...

[Akashic_Librarian]

Now I am the first one to say how much I HATE womens liberation types, however you sound like your the sort of person who wants to see actual equality, not just oppress men! For that I am glad.

I would suggest a job in government, perhaps hire yourself freelance to do presentations at schools, in the workplace, even in the military. You could even write a book in time!

I wish you luck because god-knows, "this oppression is great" in the words of Marilyn Manson!

[FrancesL]

Do you have any journalism experience? Could you get some? Contributing articles on women's issues to newspapers and magazines would give you a massive platform for raising awareness. Judging by your post you can write clearly, and your training and background would reassure editors that you are knowledgeable enough to cover that field.

[AlisonJane]

Thanks FrancesL. I don't have journalism experience but I plan on getting it. I'm also going to start a blog.

I think I need to start living this passion without the expectation of earning a great deal of money and see where it takes me. Freelance journalism and a blog about women's issues will be a good place to start. At least I know I'll never run out of material.

[ming]

United Nations development fund for women UNIFEM. It has a jobs page, and they have branches in a few countries.
UNIFEM - United Nations Development Fund for Women

[Angela]

I get that you are passionate about making a difference for others. And what you've described doesn't inspire me -- this idea of raising awareness about outrageous injustice and helping women endure poverty and oppression. If you were singing this song from the rooftops, I would get away from that building.

And. I think that this working against what doesn't make you feel good is also what has you stopped in your willingness to make a living at it. What I mean is, it's neither lucrative nor inspiring to focus your attention on what has you feeling bad. But what if you were focusing on what would have you feeling good -- like building pathways of abundance and freedom for yourself and for other women (and men, presumably). I suspect that that's what you're up to, really, but it doesn't come through in your OP. What does come through is your focus on looking at why and how women are oppressed and poor. I understand that seeing, acknowledging, and accepting what's so is a key to taking inspired action towards what you want, but can you see how what you have expressed is stuck in the focus on what you don't want? Can you see how incredibly powerful you would be if you were to focus on what you DO want -- both for yourself and for the women of the world?

You could be choosing to create overflowing abundance and well-being for the world. And you, my dear, are part of this world and you deserve to be sung from the rooftops, too. You deserve to have the same flow of abundance and well-being that you wish for the oppressed and poverty-stricken women out there.

I know that many people protest that "Awareness is what it takes! We must make people AWARE of the problem!" That may be true for them, but what would move me, and what would have me pay attention with my pocketbook, is not a problem focus, but a solution focus. There's a whole lotta people out there singing about problems. I support the Generators of Solutions.

And I really acknowledge you for taking this on, both for yourself and for the world! I wish you a rushing flow of everything you want.

[AlisonJane]

Awesome Angela, thank you. I'm so glad I asked this question. You make a great point and have given me lots to think about. Thank you very much.

Your good wishes are reciprocated!

[Angela]

Thank you so much!

I can't wait to read about you in the newspapers, and all the big difference you are making in the world.