Cultivating
Self-Awareness & Compassion
For a More Fulfilling Life and Career
I'm a curious person on a journey toward a more harmonious life. This path of self-discovery has led me to explore the concept of basic goodness and how compassion, creativity, mindfulness, and self-awareness can contribute to more fulfilling lives and careers.
These explorations have been transformative for me, and I've only just begun. This blog is where I share what I'm learning, hoping it resonates with others on a similar journey.
VALUES
Balance
Integrity
Growth Mindset
Compassion
Creative Action
Exploration
What is basic goodness?
The phrase "basic goodness" is attributed to Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, a Tibetan Buddhist master. At its essence, basic goodness is the belief that human nature is inherently good. Although, we may display negative behaviors or even cause harm; our fundamental goodness remains.
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The concept of basic goodness is explored in various spiritual and philosophical traditions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Christianity, Taoism, Stoicism, Indigenous Spirituality, and Humanism. While each tradition may use different terminology, emphasize different aspects, or incorporate other complexities such as the concept of original sin, they often point to a fundamental capacity for goodness.​
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​Connecting with our basic goodness is a lifelong journey that involves embracing the simple joys of everyday life, cultivating mindful self-awareness, and expressing compassion for yourself and others. By nurturing the innate goodness within us, we enhance our own well-being and become more capable of acting with compassion, contributing to a more understanding and just world.
Founder
The relentless ping of Slack messages and emails. Lunch hours spent at my desk. Ten to 12-hour workdays. Vacations interrupted by phone calls, texts, or last-minute Zoom meetings. The pressure to always be “on.”​
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For almost fifteen years, that was my world. I enjoyed the energy and the challenges, but eventually, it caught up to me. Some mornings, before I even opened my eyes, a weariness gripped me, an existential fatigue that caused me to question my future. Was my job the fulfillment of my dreams and years of dedicated effort?
​My role in marketing required me to meticulously calculate my clients’ returns on investment, but what about my own ROI? My comfortable paycheck was no match for the almost constant grip anxiety had around my throat. ”Hello, Darkness my old friend…I’ve come to talk with you again…” the haunting melody of 'Sounds of Silence' by Paul Simon, was like a soundtrack to my thoughts. This was more than a bad day at the office. It was a moment of introspection about my entire life. I found myself bankrupt in both spirit and peace.
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By 2023, I had ascended into a leadership role, becoming Head of Strategy, at a healthcare marketing agency. It should have been one of the most gratifying milestones in my career, yet, beneath the veneer of my professional success, I was burned out. Every morning, I sat at my desk willing myself forward, my fingers hovering over the keyboard, heavy and reluctant, bracing for yet another day of back-to-back meetings and constant crises. A never-ending cycle of work that left no room for rest and no room for growth.
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I didn’t set out to be a blogger. My career began in marketing, and I’ve spent nearly 20 years building a wide skill set ranging from brand management and digital marketing to team leadership, public relations, journalism, and even event planning. But after experiencing burnout, I realized something had to change. So, in May of 2023, I resigned from my marketing agency job and took a leap of faith. I re-enrolled in my graduate program then launched the Basic Goodness Blog as a way to connect with others seeking personal development and creative exploration.
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I'm not a career coach or a spiritual guru. I'm in my mid-40s, still very much on my own journey of self-discovery. I'm intensely curious, drawn to a wide range of topics like personal development, various religions, spirituality, metaphysics, leadership, art, history, artificial intelligence, and brand building. Basic Goodness is where I share what I learn along the way, not as an expert offering definitive answers, but as a fellow traveler connecting with others who share the same spark of curiosity.
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As a native Texan living in the Greater Austin area with my husband of 14 years and our boxer/beagle rescue, I try to find joy in the simple things. On the weekends, you can usually find me thrifting, hiking in nature, or savoring Austin’s incredible food scene. One of my greatest pleasures is exploring with my husband. Big or small, near or far, for me, exposure to new sights, sounds, and cultures is incredibly inspirational and invigorating.
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I am acutely aware of the privilege that has allowed me this moment of choice. My decision to step away from the corporate world is not a universal solution or an available choice for many. I recognize that for some, the luxury of quitting a job without a safety net is not an option. Yet, recognizing my privilege does not diminish the universal yearning for fulfillment or the possibility of finding it within our respective circumstances.
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For me, this journey is about finding the courage to confront and align with my authentic self, a path each person can walk in their own way. We can all strive to create a life where our well-being, our families, and our passions are not overshadowed by our work. ​
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My hope is to inspire not just those who can follow a similar path, but anyone who seeks transformation and contentment within their circumstances. Transformation, after all, is as much about a shift in mindset as it is about a change in situation. It's a personal journey that often begins with the simple act of recognizing and nurturing your own needs and dreams, however you can.
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