Science Geek Meets Spiritual Seeker

Turning 40 has me extra sentimental this year. I’ve been looking at the ways various parts of my life combine to create the whole. We all have our own unique combination of traits and experiences that create us.

Here’s a sampling of how my experiences have shaped me:

• My Dad was in the Air Force, so I grew up moving every few years. I have lived in 5 states, 3 countries and traveled to dozens more. This helps me connect with people more easily and understand them on a deeper level. We are all shaped by the environments that we grew up in. Moving and traveling allows me to get out of my own bubble and see the world from different perspectives.
• I know what it’s like to be the odd man out. Growing up I was always the new kid, terribly shy, and took “awkward teen years” to a whole new level. I cannot tell you how many things I have flaked out on or messed up because I was scared. When I talk about overcoming fear to take action, know that I get it from a very deep and personal space.
• I am a hard-core math and science geek. You know those weirdos who like Calculus and Physics and can’t understand why everyone thinks Organic Chemistry was hard? That’s me. The benefit in now is that I’m a hard-core problem solver. Organic chemistry is all about puzzle pieces. Once you understand the shapes of various compounds it’s easy to know which ones will work when you combine them. Business is about fitting the pieces together to create the whole.
• I inherited my Dad’s impatience, which has helped propel me in business because I just want to figure the darn thing out.  He is also always in motion, which is where I think I get my action focus from.
• I grew up in a very spiritual household. Weather you call it God, Spirit, the Universe or whatever other name you are comfortable with, I believe in it. I believe the Universe is out there to support us and does so in the most magical ways if we will get out of the way and learn to recognize the signs.
• My mom is a seeker and I got that from her. It has taught me that there is always more to the story. Science and math tend to be very black and white, what you see is what you get approaches. With most things, though, there is always more to the story. Being a seeker means that I’m able to find that underlying thing, emotion or hidden element that is often the lynch pin of making something work. Once you find it you can harness it’s power to achieve things exponentially faster.

How do your unique experiences create you? How can you tap into those things to make a difference in your life and achieve your goals?