Week 0: The Great Summer Experiment: Trading Certainty for Purpose

Jun 1

Well, here we are. It's officially summer, and I'm officially out of a job.

Before you start drafting a sympathy card, let me clarify: this is intentional. This is my Summer of Service – a grand experiment in what happens when you trade your morning commute for morning meditation, your inbox for introspection, and your career ladder for a different kind of climbing altogether.

The Plot Twist Nobody Saw Coming

Six months ago, if you'd told me I wouldn't have my job this summer, I probably would have checked your temperature and suggested some chamomile tea. But life has this beautiful way of presenting us with unexpected doorways, and sometimes the most radical thing you can do is walk through them.

When the federal government offered departure packages, I found myself at a crossroads. Like many others who are taking this opportunity, I could rush into the next job immediately – or I could pause and ask myself what I really wanted this chapter of my life to look like.

This summer, I'm dedicating myself to service – to me, to my family, and to my community. It's like a spiritual sabbatical, except instead of climbing mountains in Tibet (though that sounds lovely), I'm climbing the mountain of intentional living right here at home.

What Does "Service" Actually Look Like?

I've got some clear goals for this summer adventure.

Service to myself means prioritizing my health – those long walks I always said I didn't have time for, nourishing my body with real food, and creating space for the inner work that feeds my soul (and I must finish reading “The Last Days of the Incas”! .

Service to my family means doing more of the daily chores that keep our household running smoothly and actively helping with their personal goals and projects.

Service to my community means making meaningful connections and taking action with others in ways that create real impact.

The Weekly Chronicles Begin

Starting this week, I'll be sharing these adventures with you through weekly blog posts. Think of it as a spiritual reality show, but with less drama and more genuine moments of "Wait, did I really just learn something profound from moving a bookshelf?"

Here's something I want to be upfront about: I'm using AI to help me write these blogs. As someone who genuinely hates writing, this technology is a game-changer that's allowing me to share my story when I otherwise wouldn't. I'm learning alongside you about how AI can enable people like me to express ourselves in ways that felt impossible before. The experiences and insights are 100% mine – the AI just helps me put them into words that actually make sense.

Each week, I'll share what I discovered, what made me laugh, what challenged me, and hopefully what might inspire you to look at your own life through a slightly different lens. Because here's the thing – you don't need to take a summer off to live with intention, but maybe my journey will spark some ideas for bringing more purpose into your own life.

Why Share This Journey?

Honestly? Because vulnerability is contagious in the best way. When we share our real stories – the messy, uncertain, surprisingly beautiful ones – we give others permission to be equally real. Plus, I have a sneaking suspicion that many of us are secretly wondering what would happen if we prioritized being over doing, even just for a little while.

Also, let's be practical: having witnesses to this journey means I'll actually have to follow through. There's nothing quite like public accountability to keep you honest about your spiritual growth.

This isn't about abandoning work forever – I'm planning to return to employment in the fall. But right now, my soul has been asking for this pause, this chance to focus on what truly matters – my health, my relationships, and my community. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is listen to that quiet voice and create the space to follow through.

Come Along for the Ride

So here we go, friends. Week one of the Summer of Service officially begins. I'm clear on my goals and excited about the journey ahead.

If you're curious about intentional living, if you're one of the many folks who also found yourself with this unexpected gift of time, or if you've ever wondered what would happen if you followed your heart instead of rushing into the next opportunity, then stick around.

Every week, I'll be back with stories, insights, and probably a few laugh-out-loud moments as I navigate this uncharted territory. Who knows? Maybe we'll all learn something together.

Here's to summers that surprise us, to service that starts with small steps, and to the beautiful uncertainty of not knowing what comes next.

See you next week for Week One Chronicles – where I'll probably have stories about my first attempts at becoming a garden whisperer and what happens when you actually have time to notice the world around you.

What about you? What would your Summer of Service look like? Drop me a line – I'd love to hear your thoughts.