As we struggle to find our individual voices, I believe we must look beyond the voice we’ve been assigned…… and find our place among the tones and timbre of human expression.

Yo-Yo Ma. 

World reknown cellist and 15 time grammy winner, Yo-Yo Ma, was born in Paris to Chinese parents and was raised primarily in America.  Early on, while he felt the pressure to “belong” and be identified within the roles of one of these three cultures, he soon learned that it was impossible for him to take his “assigned” seat in any one of them.  So, rather than settling on one way to go, he made the decision to explore many other cultures.  This decision and subsequent exploration created his own unique voice in the world and in his music.

His life is just another example about the discovery of our life’s purpose.  The thing that give us the most pain, can often be the megaphone of our purpose.  His angst over knowing who/what to become—Chinese?  American?  French?—led him to become what he was meant to be—A WORLD CITIZEN—bringing his talent and heart to audiences around the globe.

Every day, I try to make an effort to go toward what I don’t understand.  This concerted wandering leads to the accidental learning that constantly shapes my life.  Creative power exists at the intersection of cultures and new ideas.

Yo-Yo Ma, again!

So, what’s true for you?  Are you open to exploring out beyond the edges of your life?  Where do new ideas and closely held beliefs intersect?  Do you just wonder/wander about things sometimes?  Is there something that seems like a burr in your saddle that may be the very thing—which will lead you to your ultimate truest purpose in life?