Hollyhock Presenter & Guest Blogs
Presenter's Blogs · 26th August 2009
Gail Larsen
A Swedish proverb states, “God gives every bird his worm, but he does not throw it in to the nest.” While these wise words speak to the necessity of being proactive about what we believe we are to do, many times life throws a wriggling mass of possibility at us that reflects a much larger mission than we imagined. Do we throw it back “Yeek! Don’t let that scary thing near me!” or accept with grace what the Mystery is attempting to show us?
The emphasis on finding life’s purpose and passion has become epidemic, something multitudes pursue as the ultimate life goal, as though getting to that desired place will represent a life of ease and grace. Yet those who often make the greatest difference in the world are the people who find that their true work has chosen them.
For example, making the rounds in over 200 private showings this year is the inspiring film A Sense of Wonder made from interviews with Rachel Carson in the final year of her life, in 1964. As the government marine biologist spoke of the critical acclaim she received for her book Silent Spring, she said, “In some ways, the subject chooses the writer.”
“I didn’t want to write this book. I wanted to write about children and nature,” Carson recalled. But when the biologist received a request to expose the hazards of pesticides because of the devastation of a bird sanctuary due to DDT, the subject chose her. Recalling the moment, she said, “I wanted to write about life, not poison and death.”
Carson made a seven-month commitment to write a book for which she received a publishing advance from Houghton Mifflin in 1958. It became the culmination of her life’s work when, two and a half years into her research, she realized she was just scratching the surface. When Silent Spring was published in 1962, the critics in the chemical industry were louder than the initial acclaim. (She noted there were few dissidents but they had a lot of money.) Her book catalyzed investigation into the destruction of life that comes from synthetic pesticides and catapulted environmental concerns to the forefront of public discourse, where they have remained ever since.
This story is of personal interest to me because around that time my brother was working with my dad to spray lawns. One day he fell off the truck, fully encased in his protective suit and headgear, became delirious, and nearly died from chemical poisoning. It was only then we learned that poisons that were previously used only in warfare were being applied to lawns and crops with little warning of the extent of the dangers.
When Silent Spring was published, Carson said of the work that would define her public life, “I’d done what I could. Now it has its own life.” The role the book took on had far-reaching effects. So strong was the opposition by the chemical companies, the controversy resulted in a level of acknowledgment a publisher would find impossible to duplicate through standard promotional efforts. Carson was summoned by US President Kennedy to testify before his Scientific Advisory Committee, which validated her thesis. DDT was banned and the US Environmental Protection Agency came into being. Many clean air and environmental acts began with the Kennedy administration, thanks largely to Carson’s work.
How long would reform have taken had this devoted woman not answered the call?
As you reflect on where your life may be calling you, there are two areas where you can direct your attention to put yourself on the trajectory to fulfilling your life purpose. The first is to know your “original medicine.” The second is to know without question what most matters to you.
“Original medicine” is an indigenous term that refers to the gifts and talents that are yours and yours alone. While our culture places great value on fitting in, our “original medicine” is what causes us to stand out. You have a unique configuration of gifts and individual life experience that defines the contribution that you and only you can make. It is “medicine” because it is healing to both you as the giver and to those who receive it. Knowing and claiming your original medicine is fundamental to living on purpose – otherwise, your unique expression can be obscured and lost for all time. No one sees the world exactly as you do. What gift comes from that?
Continued in next posting.
The emphasis on finding life’s purpose and passion has become epidemic, something multitudes pursue as the ultimate life goal, as though getting to that desired place will represent a life of ease and grace. Yet those who often make the greatest difference in the world are the people who find that their true work has chosen them.
For example, making the rounds in over 200 private showings this year is the inspiring film A Sense of Wonder made from interviews with Rachel Carson in the final year of her life, in 1964. As the government marine biologist spoke of the critical acclaim she received for her book Silent Spring, she said, “In some ways, the subject chooses the writer.”
“I didn’t want to write this book. I wanted to write about children and nature,” Carson recalled. But when the biologist received a request to expose the hazards of pesticides because of the devastation of a bird sanctuary due to DDT, the subject chose her. Recalling the moment, she said, “I wanted to write about life, not poison and death.”
Carson made a seven-month commitment to write a book for which she received a publishing advance from Houghton Mifflin in 1958. It became the culmination of her life’s work when, two and a half years into her research, she realized she was just scratching the surface. When Silent Spring was published in 1962, the critics in the chemical industry were louder than the initial acclaim. (She noted there were few dissidents but they had a lot of money.) Her book catalyzed investigation into the destruction of life that comes from synthetic pesticides and catapulted environmental concerns to the forefront of public discourse, where they have remained ever since.
This story is of personal interest to me because around that time my brother was working with my dad to spray lawns. One day he fell off the truck, fully encased in his protective suit and headgear, became delirious, and nearly died from chemical poisoning. It was only then we learned that poisons that were previously used only in warfare were being applied to lawns and crops with little warning of the extent of the dangers.
When Silent Spring was published, Carson said of the work that would define her public life, “I’d done what I could. Now it has its own life.” The role the book took on had far-reaching effects. So strong was the opposition by the chemical companies, the controversy resulted in a level of acknowledgment a publisher would find impossible to duplicate through standard promotional efforts. Carson was summoned by US President Kennedy to testify before his Scientific Advisory Committee, which validated her thesis. DDT was banned and the US Environmental Protection Agency came into being. Many clean air and environmental acts began with the Kennedy administration, thanks largely to Carson’s work.
How long would reform have taken had this devoted woman not answered the call?
As you reflect on where your life may be calling you, there are two areas where you can direct your attention to put yourself on the trajectory to fulfilling your life purpose. The first is to know your “original medicine.” The second is to know without question what most matters to you.
“Original medicine” is an indigenous term that refers to the gifts and talents that are yours and yours alone. While our culture places great value on fitting in, our “original medicine” is what causes us to stand out. You have a unique configuration of gifts and individual life experience that defines the contribution that you and only you can make. It is “medicine” because it is healing to both you as the giver and to those who receive it. Knowing and claiming your original medicine is fundamental to living on purpose – otherwise, your unique expression can be obscured and lost for all time. No one sees the world exactly as you do. What gift comes from that?
Continued in next posting.