I'm Inspired by Karen Bhatti

Who Inspires You?

I am definitely inspired by many of the great famous changemakers. Yet I’m most inspired by the resilience of my community of friends and neighbors while witnessing them deal with their everyday humanity. LIFE IS NOT EASY—it’s amazing to me the simple, yet profound, ways that we get through life’s trials and tribulations, individually and collectively. If I were to highlight any one person that inspires me most in my community it would be my mother. She has been through so much in her life with limited resources and assistance. Through it all she has maintained a deep sense of compassion, service, generosity, flexibility and hope even for those who have been less than kind to her. I learn just by being in her quiet presence.

What is the most interesting question you’ve ever been asked and how did you respond?

Generally, I think the question “why” is extremely under-rated. Exploring the why behind actions, outcomes, motivations etc. has always been challenging yet extremely revealing for me. I feel like much of who I am and the work that I do is a reflection of the constant re-evaluation of “why”.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

As ambitious and energetic as I am my natural rhythm is pretty slow. I love to meander through my day, take time for breaks, connect with those around me, take time with my tasks, and of course day dream—it’s what keeps me going!

If you removed all constraints how would you spend your time?

For the most part I imagine I would have more time to continue to do what I am doing! I would probably take some more time to be at home—I love being domestic! I love taking care of my family and friends, cooking for them, growing food, connecting with my neighbors. I think I would also take a few months out of every year to travel and take a course that allows me to challenge myself in new ways, share ideas with new people and see life from a different perspective.

How did you get to where you are today?

I would say it’s a 70:30 split. I would attribute the majority of my current place in life to all the people I have encountered in my lifetime. Who I have become is a mere reflection of the gifts and lessons that others have given me, whether it came from my nearest and dearest or a someone I sat next to on the bus. As for the 30%, I’ve gotta give myself a little bit of credit here! I think I have always had a natural disposition to seek and create the world that I want to live in, one that is equitable, loving, and exciting. Yet even in giving myself credit, I am constantly reminding myself of how blessed I am to have been born into the life I did—even with all of the earlier struggles I have faced.

What are you doing to be the person you want to be?

Surrounding myself with amazing folks who call me out on my shit, keep me humble and inspire me to be my best self everyday. I also think I have a genetic predisposition to not settling!

What can you do today to improve someone else’s life?

Give them my time and presence.

What is the toughest decision you ever had to make, and what did you learn from it?

Probably choosing a few years ago to do exactly what I wanted to do. It may seem like a small thing, but it involved leaving my partner, family and friends during a time when everyone was dealing with a lot. I had to abandon all that was familiar, and drop societal, and cultural expectations that were deeply ingrained in me at the time. It was one of the scariest and most revealing moments of my life. It was a life altering decision which allowed me to discern the bare bones of who I am and develop the courage to choose to be my authentic self everyday. There are still difficult days however, when I feel so outside the realm of “normal”. Though mostly, I have seen that I am a better daughter, sister, friend, lover, colleague, human—when I am me.

What do you think is the most fascinating subject/concept in the world?

That we are the universe trying to discover itself. It makes us do silly and beautiful things all at once!

What makes you smile?

Trees, children, my brother, my best friend Meng, when I make silly mistakes, seeing anyone experience a moment of success, repeats of “In Living Color”, all the little things.

What projects are you currently working on?

I am working with my friends to create a wholeness collective. We are all very talented individuals with unique talents, which create a beautiful whole when combined. We want to use the collective as a platform to support our individual work as well as collaborative projects for clients and also our community. In addition it would also serve as an accessible resource on how others can move towards wholeness in their lives or communities. I want to be able to open up the space to youth apprenticeships later on down the road. I am also creating gardening and permaculture curriculum for a youth-led food justice organization. Concurrently, I am deepening my understanding of permaculture and how it can serve to revitalize urban areas, while being a tool for self-sufficiency especially in marginalized circles.

What question did I not ask you that you wish I had and how would you answer?

  1. What’s your SUPERPOWER?? An overabundance of joy.
  2. How do you share your privilege? I see the world through an anti-oppressive lens. It frames everything I do—how I relate to others, myself, my environment, the work I engage with and create. I feel extremely lucky to have access to the resources, networks, and support I have. All of the learning I have pursued in my lifetime has been so that I could then share it with those who may not have access to the same. I can’t imagine doing a project and not making it as accessible as possible. I really believe that we are all complicit in the state of our world—the good and the bad. So, creating positive change, for it to really happen, is a task we all have to be willing to take on.

How can we support you?

CONTACT ME! I love to collaborate, share ideas, and new connections. I am also just beginning to explore the marketing side for my projects as well as new models for socially conscious business. I am always open to suggestions as I am still a novice in this area.

How can we contact you?

Stay tuned for my domain name. Currently I can be reached at karen.bhatti@gmail.com.

Finding "Purpose" in Photography

Finding "Purpose" in Photography

When I picked up the camera a few years ago, I didn't really know why I was doing it. Like many others, I thought it would be fun to learn something new, gain a new skill, and have a reason to step away from the computer from time to time. I began by shooting anything I could fit within the viewfinder—friends, family, landscapes, shoes, etc. I still remember the first time I took the camera out of auto and switched over to manual. That moment marked one of many critical points in this craft. It was at that moment I became intentional. Before I realized it I was consciously making decisions about how and why I would make a certain photograph.

As my technical ability grew, I quickly found I was taking really bad pictures in really sharp focus. I thought, technically, this photograph is nice, but I don't like it. It doesn't have that special something that draws me in, inviting me to question what I know to be true. I found that I was learning how to see. I've heard other photographers talking about learning how to see. At first I thought they were talking about shapes, lines, contrast, dynamic range, etc. And while this is true, it's a different kind of seeing that I think they're talking about. I think this kind of seeing is the kind that paints dreams with inspired work. The kind that encourages one to ask if there is something beyond what the body perceives. The kind that has one in constant search of classic and contemporary artists, books, documentaries, subjects, collaborators, and projects in insatiable desire to learn and grow.

Informed by this "learning to see" and passions in social issues, in my soul developed a purpose for the work I'm doing in photography. It was only after this purpose became clear that my photographs came into clearer focus, both figuratively and literally. Who is left out of the conversation, dismissed, ignored, pushed out, and forgotten? As Donna Morton says, "Those closest to the problem are the ones most suited to address it." So why are those closest to the problem often excluded from the development of a solution?

This Wednesday, these questions took me to "The Ave." in Seattle, WA just down the street from the University of Washington, where I was honored to have the opportunity to work with five homeless youth, one passionate program manager/instructor, and one dedicated case manager in producing a series of images that will hopefully help them share their stories. In putting a face on a widely known but often misunderstood issue, I hope that the voices of these resilient, intelligent, warm, creative individuals are able to have their voices land where they might be heard.

For more information about the Zine Project, check out their website at http://zineprojectseattle.wordpress.com.

Special thanks goes to Richard Gold of Pongo Teen Writing, who's never ending love and work in divergent communities has helped sprout projects such as these, for making this connection happen.

Learn more about the interns and read their bios on the Zine Project Seattle website.

 

I'm Inspired by Ebba Lucander

I could use a lot of words to describe Ebba Lucander, but the one I find most appropriate is fun. I don't say that to downplay the other numerous qualities that make her truly a joy for me to be around. Ebba is driven, smart, honest, thoughtful, caring, resilient, open-minded, supportive, and yes, a lot of fun. In the work I do, I meet a lot of business-minded individuals. Every now and then, I meet someone who seems to really get what business can be about. Someone who sees business a means through which they can build a stronger, safer, more enjoyable earth for all of its stakeholders (yes, that includes the environment).

Ebba has undertaken a huge challenge—take the retail experience and transform it into an opportunity to learn, grow, and take part in reversing the trends of the unintended consequences we cause in the world by shopping and overconsumption. With the creation of The Butterfly Effect she has taken initial steps to address this challenge. Inspired by the women both current and those who have come before, Ebba shares a story of a conversation she had with her mother.

Who Inspires You?

People who overcome hardship, curiosity-filled young souls, wisdom-filled old souls, great story tellers, people who see the interconnectedness of the entire ecosystem and puzzle of life.

What is the most interesting question you’ve ever been asked and how did you respond?

My favorite college course was Critical Thinking. One day we were told to answer: “Something I never really wanted to do is (fill in the blank).” I had a sneaky suspicion that we were going to be told to do this thing we never wanted to do, so my answer was _eat sushi. We each shared our answer with the class and when I shared mine, Anastasia turned around in her seat, appalled, and responded with “I am taking you out Friday night.” She took me to a sushi restaurant where we tried a variety platter. I was made to try everything at least once.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I’ve played catcher almost my entire life. I played catcher in fast-pitch growing up. Now I play with my family on a team called Family Affair.

If you removed all constraints how would you spend your time?

I would probably roam the streets asking “How can I help you?”

How did you get to where you are today?

I never shied away from digging deep to find out who I am at the core. I did a lot of traveling and experimenting. I challenged myself. I had a smart, strong, and kind network of family and friends who have lifted, encouraged, and supported me during all times, good and great.

What are you doing to be the person you want to be?

I am always assessing myself and making adjustments. I relish in honest self-reflection and thrive on problem solving. At any given time, I’m working on getting better at something in my world.

What can you do today to improve someone else’s life?

Send a surprise gift of gratitude.

What is the toughest decision you ever had to make, and what did you learn from it?

Deciding to move my daughter to a new elementary school weighed heavily on my mind and heart. In the end, I am glad we went with our intuitions. I learned to trust my gut.

What do you think is the most fascinating subject/concept in the world?

Progress. I can talk about problems and solutions all day. Just please don’t stay stuck on the problem.

What makes you smile?

Originality, puppies, and cake.

What projects are you currently working on?

The Butterfly Effect, Simply Good Shopping, and Did You Knowledge share the mission of changing American consumption for good. Seattle’s, B.F. Day Elementary School is in need of a playground make-over. I help with fund-raising.

What question did I not ask you that you wish I had and how would you answer?

What makes you different? I am always focused on the ones that are left behind and committed to helping the underdog. I don’t feel like we win, until the last person finishes the race with us.

How can we support you?

Keep up the inspirational work that you do. And always let me know how I can help support you.

How can we contact you?

ebbainspired@gmail.com

I'm Inspired by Kristiina Hiukka

It was one Thursday evening a couple years ago when fellow classmate Tauschia Copeland called me and asked if I would be able to record a panel discussion on Friday for a conference that would take place that weekend. In a time when it seemed as though every spare moment was spoken for, I happened to have a free Friday and weekend, so I agreed to help out. Besides, I'd come know that Tauschia has an uncanny ability to surround herself with really cool people, organiations, and initiatives. So when she called, I knew I had to answer.

The next day I showed up at the Pacific Science center accompanied with trusted friend and very talented photographer Andrew Vanasse to record both video and photography for the discussion. That's when I met Kristiina Hiukka. What I found in Kristiina was much more than somebody who decided to host just another conference. Her passion to increase access and literacy for women in innovation as well as supporting those already involved was, and remains, insatiable. She not only hopes to address the people involved, but the systems to create lasting, sustainable results. It was this passion and dedication to the human spirit that compelled me to volunteer a full day to provide photography services in order to help capture and share the story of the day and the mission of the conference.

Since then, I've had the pleasure of running into Hiukka all over Seattle, seemingly with boundless energy to live the change she wants to see in the world. A few weeks ago, Kristiina agreed to meet me at The Hub Seattle to share with me what inspires her to do what she does day in and day out with Women In Innovation.

Who Inspires You?

Right now…people who know how to collaborate. I believe that people who are masters of collaboration have a good sense of themselves. They do not think of life as a competition but an opportunity to share what they know so that others can benefit. Businesses that have a strong brand can afford to collaborate because they are not diminished but strengthened by collaboration.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I also serve as the Honorary Vice Consul for Finland in WA state…

If you removed all constraints how would you spend your time?

Watch movies, read, write, travel, love, laugh…

How did you get to where you are today?

With curiosity and courage

What can you do today to improve someone else’s life?

Work as a personal leadership coach—helping people to embrace their lives holistically, not just as compartments of work and “other life”

What do you think is the most fascinating subject/concept in the world?

Collaboration—why it is so hard (we have wars and conflict) and why do we assume it is a “soft skill?" I think it is the hard core human skill and we really don’t know it yet.

What makes you smile?

My son Markus (16) and my life partner Bob who bring humor to my life.

What projects are you currently working on?

Women in Innovation, WIN—The platform for women who innovate and those who support them. I’m also designing a Collaboration Lab for WIN, and looking for partners to create the next Women in Innovation Summit 2014.

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