The answer to whether you are walking or wandering often changes from season to season – life is fickle in that way. We asked some of the folks we most admire to reflect on whether they feel like they are walking or wandering and have shared some of their responses below.
Dina Kleiman
Before the world told me how to be, I was deeply curious, creative, and intuitive — always sensing there was more to life than what we could see. But as I grew up, I learned how to succeed by following the rules and proving myself. I built a career in corporate IT — I was good at it, and it gave me stability and success. Read More>>
Jordan Deer Heart
I love this question because this is one I ask of my clients in our work together. It’s one of the most important questions to consider and live in. I grew up in a high-control Christian religion, where everything was about the Church. How we dressed, what we ate, what media we consumed, who we talked to and how we spent our time. Read More>>
Rachael Reid
I’ve always been an artist. Long before the art degrees or becoming a full-time creative. As a child, I filled notebook after notebook with drawings and journals about what I observed around me. I loved looking at art, and one of my favorite books was Linnea in Monet’s Garden, which sparked my fascination with impressionist artwork. Read More>>
Natalie Contrera 
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a little Arab American girl with bushy eyebrows, whole, and enough. For a long time, I carried the weight of not feeling Arab *enough* or American *enough*, this enough or that enough, kind of always stuck in the middle, always chasing approval. But now I’m back to myself. I’m unapologetic. Read More>>
Shauna Van Mourik
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was the barefoot kid with dirt under her nails and stories in her head. The one who organized backyard “clubs,” built empires from old skids under the breezy Willows out back, and asked way too many questions. I was curious. Sensitive. Loud. Quiet. Imaginative. Deep. Read More>>
Lakeshia Baker
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was just a little girl with a big voice and even bigger dreams. I grew up singing—everyone said I was next in line for ministry, just like my father. But deep down, I also dreamed of being on stage, singing and acting, sharing stories that moved people. Read More>>
Christian Cipollini
Long before the (often stark and unsolicited) glimpses of reality and outside input took hold of my young maleable mind, I was the wide-eyed dreamer with creative visions as my purpose. A storyteller at the very core and fiber of my being. Visual and eclectic but naive, perhaps. Read More>>
Charlotte Howard Collins
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a curious, creative girl with big dreams and no limits. I was writing stories, styling hair, and imagining worlds far bigger than the one I saw around me. I wasn’t defined by titles, expectations, or society’s timelines — I was defined by possibility. Read More>>
Alix Oliver
Before pursuing film, I originally dreamed of becoming a veterinarian and even entered college on that path. Although I’ve always been strong in science, I quickly realized that the heavy focus on science and math wasn’t the right fit for me. During my sophomore year, I spent a lot of time reflecting on what I truly wanted to do with my life. Read More>>
Taylor Pate
I think I was always an artist; that is something that could never be changed. As a kid, I loved drawing more than anything. That part of me has never been corrupted by the outside world. No matter what I’ve gone through or experienced, it feels like I’ve been able to keep that part of myself safe. Read More>>
Meosha Davis
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a dreamer, and in some aspects I still am. I didn’t yet know about society’s labels or limitations, I just knew I loved creating, leading, and imagining bigger possibilities. Over time, I had to fight to protect that little girl inside me from being boxed in. Read More>>
