I'm Inspired by David Carroll

Alma Lorraine Bone Constable is a person I deeply care for and respect. During one of my interviews with her she said, “I can honestly say I love everybody. In each and every person there is something to love.” Not only does she say that, but she backs it up with her actions. So when she emailed me one day simply saying, “You two need to know each other,” I paid attention. After taking about a month to synch calendars, David (Dave) Carroll and I finally got a chance to meet in person. Dave is a connector. He’s very friendly,  outgoing, and nice. In a world in which it seems like most people are interested in each other only as long as they can provide some sort of utility, I must admit, it’s refreshing that after many conversations, lunches, and sit-downs, it turns out that Dave is truly as cool as he appears to be.

Who Inspires You?

I am inspired first and foremost by our creator who brought my wife, Jenny, and I together, and our four boys we've brought into this world. Often, they all bring me to happy tears. Generally speaking, I am thrilled by the human spirit. Through each “custom-made” attitude and “one-of-a-kind” personality, I see the gifts, talents, skills, tendencies and strengths that each and every one of us possesses. Amazing. Isn't it? 

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

Are you really this way all the time, Dave? It drives me crazy to have my 'clear blue' optimism questioned by those around me. As if it wasn't possible to actually LIVE with passion for the majority of every day! My response: as long as I can breathe, see, feel and talk—I've got everything I'll ever need to connect with people. All else is just…stuff.

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

I am quite fascinated with birds. It all started in 5th grade when I broke my femur and could not attend school. In fact, I spent most of the year at home where I did my homework. Mostly, I spent my time staring out the various windows in my house studying every detail available regarding my fine feathered friends.

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

Without barriers, I would be most pleased spending tons of quality individual {and family} time with each of my sons and Jenny. Reading, talking, laughing, being physically active, means that we truly know one another as best we can. All of us together would embark on things that could make a difference in someone else's life. I believe that is important enough to teach and model to my kids.

How did you get to where you are today?

I decided back in college that I would do the things that most people wouldn't. Like standing up in front of others to speak about something I believe in. Anything! I wanted to lend a hand. You know – help out a little or a lot. I was also purposeful about reading as much as possible and meeting as many people as I could. Not just those that I wanted to know but people I felt should know me. These were the driving forces back then that shaped much of who I am today.

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

I continue to stretch myself when it comes to doing those little things that most everybody else would not dare. I have found that teaching others what you have learned or experienced is quite possibly one of the best ways to improve. Leaders must always practice being leaders. And so I do.  

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

Look at them, eye to eye and open your mouth and say something nice or pleasant. A smile, handshake, or name goes a very long way. Ask a question like, "Is there anything that I can help you with?" Even if the answer is “no thanks” the gesture runs deep.

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

Leadership. I've seen, heard, and felt so many different versions of this subject over the years. I have dedicated a major portion of my personal and professional life to it's legacy. It is the profound difference maker that can change the world around you. 

What makes you smile? 

When I am in the presence of people. I am very people-centered and I enjoy finding the opportunities to make someone feel special enough to know that it matters. 

What projects are you currently working on? 

It is my dream to publish a book around the beauty and power of the human race. It's all in my head right now!! :-)

How can we support you? 

If you believe after reading this there is somebody I should meet, by all means reach out and hook us up. Anybody who is willing to open up to me, I’m all for it. It all comes down to honest, meaningful relationships—and that's me in a nutshell.

How can we contact you? 

Linkedin is a great medium for connecting with me.

 

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I'm Inspired by Candace Faber

Have you ever read over somebody’s bio or résumé and been completely intimidated, only to meet them in person and say to yourself, “Wow, they’re really cool?” I’m sure that happens to Candace Faber all the time. I won’t go into her accomplishments here. For that, I recommend you check out her LinkedIn profile. I met Candace only a few months ago, just after she returned from serving as a foreign diplomacy officer in Afghanistan. What captivates me most about Candace is how comfortable she is in her own skin. Additionally, our conversations always leave me with substantial food for thought. It is my honest pleasure to introduce (or reintroduce) you to Candace Faber. I hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as I have.

Who Inspires You?

Artists, adventurers, activists, researchers, entrepreneurs—basically, everyone who dares to create something new! I seek out their stories. They serve as excellent counterpoints to the bigger narratives in our society, which often treat the world as a static place in which all games are zero-sum. I am inspired by people who create space for change, who explore new frontiers, and who, in economic terms, “grow the pie.” 

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

A friend dared to ask me, “What would you do if you were not afraid?” That question is really deep. I could not answer him until I dug into myself and identified what I was afraid of and why, a largely involuntary process that took a year and a near-fatal car accident to get through. Now, I can finally answer: “This is what I would do.” I still have my fears; I’m just choosing every day to overcome them. 

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

I write short stories. 

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

Exactly as I am now.

How did you get to where you are today?

Many, many leaps of faith. For example, when I was offered a fellowship from the Department of State, I was just 19. I could not even picture what a diplomatic career would be like. It was terrifying. The same thing happened when I decided to go to Afghanistan. These steps into the dark led to incredible experiences and friendships with inspirational people all over the world. I felt equally uncertain about the future when I launched my business this spring, but I hope to look back once again and feel that it was worth the risk.

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

Immersing myself in new knowledge—I have a lot to learn from those who’ve been down this road before. Living in the city where I want to build my life—I believe in Seattle and am committed to being part of its future. Surrounding myself with people who inspire me—because none of us can do this alone. 

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

The question is the answer. It requires a shift in attention away from our own needs and toward others.

We really never know when we’re going to have the opportunity to make a difference. Sometimes it’s easy. The other day when a man on Bell Street asked me for food, I happened to have a fresh bag of chips and salsa from Mama’s Mexican Kitchen right there in my lap. Often it’s harder, requiring us to sacrifice something—time, energy, resources—that we would rather keep for ourselves. 

In many cases, our individual interventions are small, and we may not even realize that we have made an impact. When I worked in policy, I had to come to terms with the fact that I could never take credit for the big changes I helped to advance. But the cumulative effect of all our positive interventions is profound. 

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

After ten years with the U.S. Department of State, I decided to resign from my career as a diplomat. This choice was heart-wrenching. The Foreign Service is more than a job; it is a tight-knit community of people with unique experiences. It has been hard to let go.

This transition has taught me that change is painful. I have had to rely on others in ways that made me deeply uncomfortable. I have been humbled; I have had to sacrifice wealth and status, knowing that I may never get it back. But I have changed my definition of success. Whatever comes of this latest step into the dark, I know that I am living an authentic life. 

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

I am amazed by the power of stories to shape the way we behave. 

What makes you smile?

Any expression of wonder, delight, or understanding. That means I melt a little around children and puppies--who doesn’t--but what’s really satisfying is when adults like me are changed by a fresh idea. Anything that helps us overcome cynicism is worth a big open-mouthed smile. 

What projects are you currently working on?

I am collecting interviews with inspirational women, which I hope to publish as a book. I am also building my company, Whoa!, a brand strategy and creative communications agency. Basically, I strive to create powerful positive narratives that lead to action.

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

What idea has had the biggest impact on my life? Two years ago, my friend Suzanne gave me a book by Martha Beck that articulated the idea of an “everybody committee.” When we say, “Everybody thinks I shouldn’t try this,” or, “Everybody thinks I’m not capable,” who is this everybody? Usually, the only person on that list is our self. Beck challenges us to populate the word “everybody” with people who know us, love us, and have our backs. Now, when I experience a crisis of confidence, I just think about my everybody committee. Their faith gives me courage.

How can we support you?

By letting me know how I can support you! 

How can we contact you?

Reach out through the contact form at whoaseattle.com or on Twitter @kingushia.

 

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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.