Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lisa Wilkes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Lisa, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
In grad school, I analyzed a case study performed by clinical psychologists. This assignment tugged at me like a persistent toddler; I couldn’t ignore it or escape its powerful grip. Through focus groups and surveys, one factor was deemed an excellent predictor of a person’s wellbeing, mental health, and overall enjoyment in life. Over and over, this factor increased participants’ internal peace and balance. It provided more emotional and mental protection than any other single entity the researchers had encountered.
What was this magic bullet, capable of boosting a person’s health, fulfillment, and joy? The answer, according to this particular study, is simple yet complex. It is a sense of purpose.
As a social worker, this made sense to me. I had witnessed the agony people experienced when they felt purposeless. A lack of purpose almost always caused intense heartbreak and agony.
One of my goals, as a social worker and lifelong empath, was to reduce suffering. Because of this, I figured the quest for purpose was a concept worth exploring. Perhaps by doing so, I could really help people.
Including myself.
So I launched my own unofficial project to uncover what a sense of purpose looked like for me, Lisa Michelle Wilkes. I endeavored to pinpoint and articulate what, specifically, ignited my dynamic soul– and then incorporate those dreams into my everyday life.
Crafting a mission statement for myself felt like the most natural and seamless way to accomplish. See, mission statements allow nonprofits to declare the reason for their existence. They also steer a nonprofit’s future endeavors and projects. That sure sounded like a sense of purpose to me.
The first step in crafting my own personal mission statement was to determine which areas of my life meant the most to me. So I began organizing and consolidating the themes, projects, and concepts which had left the biggest mark on my soul.
One important aspect of life, for me, was traveling. I’ve always loved a brand-new adventure, as evidenced by my career in aviation. Global excursions fueled my creative side. They also strengthened my connection to this weird, wonderful planet of ours.
Another major passion was animal rescue. I’d been saving homeless pets since childhood. When I bought my first home, I started fostering dogs, cats, birds, and bunnies. In 2022, I moved to Tampa and joined Rags to Riches Animal Rescue, Inc., a nonprofit run by local visionary and philanthropist Dominique Amerosa. Animal rescue has always been a cause near and dear to my heart; that much was certain.
In addition, activism was woven into the fabric of my being. I had been a human rights activist since the moment, sometime around 2009, when I listened to an entire church sermon on the sin of homosexuality. I walked out of church that day with my mind in shambles because I knew all my friends in the LGBTQ+ community were not defective. They were not the deviants that pastor made them out to be. I was also exploring my own sexuality at the time, which added a layer of complexity. Back then, although I had very few concrete answers, I was certain of one thing: I wasn’t entirely straight. So, in the wake of that hateful church message, I made a lot of noise. I wrote to politicians and volunteered at LGBTQ+ events. I tried so, so hard to make sure people felt included, validated, respected, and loved. Because they undoubtedly, undeniably deserved that– and so much more.
Lastly, I was a writer. Over the years, I had written too many articles, poems, and short stories to count. I’d composed books, too. However, after completing my first full-length novel when I was 19, I received countless rejection letters from publishing houses. This had led me to believe I was the absolute worst novelist in the world. But even amid my torrent of self-doubt and despair, I wanted to write books. Deep down, I couldn’t shake that yearning.
And that rounded out the list of things which meant most to me. I had four main causes/concepts to work with. Four separate arenas were embedded in my soul: travel/adventure, animal rights, human rights, and writing.
With that in mind, I created the following mission statement: to use my voice to foster inclusion, inspire others, and promote kindness toward humans and animals. There it was. I had captured my life’s purpose in a few carefully curated words.
While this declaration of purpose wasn’t a quick fix for every ailment in life, it definitely provided some relief, as the case study had promised.
Articulating (and embodying) my purpose felt like enjoying a breath of fresh air after spending days inside a stale, musty room.
Previously, I had berated myself for so many things. Each perceived shortcoming, including not being a published author and not holding a prestigious role at an elite company, implied I had failed in life. But my newly-crafted mission statement ripped those silly worries to shreds.
My mission statement alludes to kindness and acceptance, not traditional definitions of success. This means all my efforts toward building a more compassionate planet, all the work I’d done — fighting for human rights, fostering homeless pets, writing web content for nonprofits, devoting two whole years of my life to AmeriCorps, serving on the peer-support team at my airline, writing books deeply focused on love and inclusion, pouring time and effort into a master’s degree that upholds the dignity of all humans —aligns perfectly with my purpose, which is to promote acceptance and enhance the lives of humans and animals.
I found my purpose, indirectly, after reading a case study written by researchers I had never met. And that purpose subsequently offered the freedom to be the best possible version of myself.
Having a purpose meant that I got to do life on my own terms, instead of ascribing to someone else’s rules and norms. Suddenly, I knew my place in this world. I wasn’t confined to roles and expectations that had always seemed a little too narrow for me. My mission statement helped me embrace the fact that, in my unique way, I could change things for the better.
So I wrote another book and promised myself I’d find a way to share it, even if that meant uploading bits and pieces of the novel to my blog. To my surprise, within six months of completion, Flight Path received a contract from a small press in New York. The following year, I also published a short story in a charitable anthology. All profits went to victims of the Australian wildfires.
In March of 2023, my second full-length novel, Mid-Flight, was released. This dystopian thriller addresses racial injustice, homophobia, and mental illness. Mid-Flight is a tale of everyday heroes who make a difference within their own sphere, through advocacy and empowerment efforts. I donated the vast majority of author royalties to nonprofits here in Tampa.
I also became the Director of Mentorship for the UF LGBTQ+ Alumni Association in May of 2023. It has been an honor to connect current students to experienced mentors and provide safe, encouraging relationships to those facing rampant societal oppression. I am so proud of our mentors, mentees, and alumni association members. In the midst of devastating bigotry and prejudice, we have chosen a better path. We have opted to love, validate, and support each other, which is the best antidote to widespread hate.
A few weeks ago, I released my first children’s book, I Love You Even If You’re Stinky. This book tale features Wisp, a famous Rags to Riches rescue kitten with a chronic disability. I Love You Even If You’re Stinky celebrates inclusion, diversity, and self-love. 100% of author royalties are donated to animal rescue; this book aims to help as many people and animals as possible.
A sense of purpose allowed me to tie together my passions and incorporate them into my present and future endeavors. I hope that others will make an effort to find and articulate their purpose. Our time on this planet is brief, yet we can all make the most of it in our own unique way. And boost our internal peace and contentment in the process.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
As a licensed social worker, human rights activist, and animal rescuer, I wear many hats! I also happen to be a flight attendant for a major airline. So far, I’ve spent 14 years jetting through the sky and seizing every opportunity to forge connections around the globe.
My debut novel, Flight Path, follows a daydreaming stewardess as she learns to navigate a new terrain: unconditional love.
My second novel, Mid-Flight, transports readers to the year 2038. While grieving the loss of her best friend, a flight attendant uncovers a political ploy to decimate one-fifth of the population. To combat this sinister plan, she must risk everything, including her promising new romance.
Mid-Flight was partly inspired by my experience as a licensed social worker. I worked in the behavioral health unit of a hospital and also served oppressed populations. Both of those roles shook me to my core while simultaneously strengthening my resolve to make a difference in this broken world. I felt compelled to write a book highlighting the potential for everyday heroes to take a stand against injustice. Mid-Flight is the end product of that deep, powerful calling.
A few months ago, I took a turn into the world of children’s literature in my third published novel, I Love You Even If You’re Stinky. This book features Rags to Riches’ superstar rescue kitten, Wisp! I Love You Even If You’re Stinky follows Wisp’s heartwarming journey to validation and self-acceptance. As my debut children’s book and my first time writing from the perspective of a rescue pet, this endeavor required lots of patience, research, and sensitivity. Yet it’s my favorite literary work for several reasons, including the fact that 100% of author royalties are donated to animal rescue. I can’t wait for the next two books in this series to be released.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I’d say the most important qualities an entrepreneur or artist can have are persistence, confidence, and commitment to a meaningful cause. It’s easy to lose momentum if any of these areas are lacking. For those still in the midst of charting their course, I’d suggest articulating your purpose in clear, concise terms and using that purpose to light your path.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
I’m learning to prioritize my own needs, which is a tough ask for a social worker/animal rescuer/humanitarian. I’ve got so many incredible projects in the works, ranging from animal rescue missions to inclusive events and programs to children’s books set to be released in mid-2024, but balance is also essential. In many ways, I will always be a work in progress since it is so difficult for me to say no to a meaningful endeavor. I don’t think I’ll ever reach the point where I truly master the ability to care for myself or strike a healthy, empowering balance. However, I am taking baby steps. In recent months, I have made a conscious effort to scale back my pursuits when I begin experiencing repeated patterns of sleep loss or elevated stress levels. Therapy helps, a strong support system helps, and self-awareness serves as perhaps the most crucial factor in the whole equation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lisamichellewilkes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Travelisa1984/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lisa.castignetti
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-wilkes-1b140957/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Travelisa1984
- Other: Instagram rescue page: https://www.instagram.com/furever_luvd_fosters_n_flights/ Amazon author page: https://amazon.com/author/lisawilkes TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@travelisa1984?_t=8aQXlT0SzlL&_r=1
Image Credits
Axar Patel Photography
