When I graduated college at the end of 2019, I told myself and others that I felt I needed to give up my dreams of being a scientist, specifically a volcanologist, in order to put pressure on the large corporations causing climate change and become a full time activist. I stressed myself over not doing enough and feeling not good enough to make my voice widely heard that I lost hope, self confidence and drive to take action. Recently, I have come to terms with compromise and balance in my life to make amends to these toxic thoughts.

Some quotes and outlooks that have helped:

• “Let’s invite one another in. Maybe then we can begin to fear less, to make fewer wrong assumptions, to let go of the biases and stereotypes that unnecessarily divide us. Maybe we can better embrace the ways we are the same. It’s not about being perfect. It’s not about where you get yourself in the end. There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice. And there’s grace in being willing to know and hear others. This, for me, is how we become.” -Michelle Obama in her book “Becoming”
• “I am not here to make you comfortable” -Iz Harris, youtuber (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7lFQENR79E)
• Hope is in sharing stories, not in telling others to stop doing the wrong thing and start doing the right thing. The heart needs to change before the habit or action can change. There is still hope. – Jane Goodall rings messages of hope in storytelling and sharing wisdom and experience in her Hopecast podcast
• I will not compromise myself to make others comfortable or to get through a difficult work situation. I will hold true to myself and not change to make others happier. – a co-worker and fellow naturalist

I can be both a scientist and an activist. My job and career can be different and separate from my hobbies and activism. I do not have to separate myself from my passions in order to do what I feel I should be doing. There is nothing I “should” be doing.

With my recent move to Washington State, I am making a habit out of not compromising all that makes me happy within a day and within a week in order to make others happy or meet the expectations of others. I am happy in myself and love all of the things I love and I will honor myself by giving into all that fulfills me.

What is bringing you hope currently?

with love and lava,

amanda