Building Creative Businesses with Soul (Uncovering Meaning and Contentment Here... not There)
Building Creative Businesses with Soul (Uncovering Meaning and Contentment Here... not There)
The Soulpreneur Series Free Issue No. 15
No matter how high you climb...
No matter how much money you make...
No matter how many followers you accrue...
You will most likely come to realize… "There is no there, there."
American writer and art collector Gertrude Stein said this when returning to her hometown of Oakland, California (she lived much of her life in Paris). One interpretation is that she was commenting on some pitfalls of nostalgia and not recognizing change (in places, and one’s self).
She found the place she remembered from her youth had changed so much it no longer existed in the same form. This reflects the idea that a physical place may remain, but the essence or the spirit of what was once there is gone.
(And, the spirit of the individual has changed).
It also hints at disappointment and emptiness — upon returning to a place or revisiting an idea, only to find it lacking some substance or significance it once held.
And yet, that is how so many of us live… anchored in the past. But, our futures do not have to be defined by what we’ve experienced.
What does the Soul want?
I recently came across the Stein phrase above and was struck by it while reading (and listening to) James Hollis — an American Jungian psychoanalyst, author, educator, and public speaker.
Hollis has written many books over the past few decades. I recall coming across a few several years ago. More recently, my wife Lisa mentioned him and that I may want to check out his stuff (as he writes and talks about the Soul).
Hollis was recently on Andrew Huberman’s podcast. It’s an almost 3-hour episode. Hollis was talking about his most recent book: “A Life of Meaning: Relocating Your Center of Spiritual Gravity” (2023).
In the book, Hollis outlines the etymology of the word “psychopathology”.
The word is generally defined as:
“features of people's mental health considered collectively” and
“mental illness or disorder”
In exploring the etymology, Hollis suggests:
“Sometimes we have to acknowledge, even welcome, psychopathology.
We live in a world wishing to rid us as quickly as possible of suffering through a behavioural change or a pill.
But stop and think for a moment about the word psychopathology.
Psyche is the Greek word for soul.
Pathos refers to suffering.
Logos means "word" or "expression."
So psychopathology is literally the expression of the suffering of the soul.
Wouldn't it make sense to stop and pay attention?”
Powerful question.
I’ve also read and suggested, that ‘logy’ can also mean “the study of”— as in biology meaning ‘the study of life’.
So we might suggest that psychopathology could also mean studying the suffering of the soul… (I know I came to this realization and made the choice to walk away from a well-paying decade-plus career, which was soul-sucking).
Psyche means soul and is related “to breathe”
In ancient Greek, psyche is also related to psychein “to breathe”. Thus, the relationship between soul, life, breathing, spirit, and more.
Many of Hollis’ books and work remain connected to this historical context. That our psyche — our soul — is trying to live out its destiny. Our soul (or Soul, singular) is trying to express itself through us in the brief time we have “between two great mysteries” (as Hollis suggests).
To be in touch with our psyche — our soul — suggests Hollis, is to explore questions. Deeper, more difficult questions, which shift and change across our lives.
Hollis traces the etymology of ‘therapy’:
Therapeuein means "to listen or attend to psyche, the soul" — to pay attention to rather than suppress psychopathology and to ask, "What is the soul trying to say to me?"
Not all ‘therapy’ has to be talk therapy in the sense of going to see a ‘therapist’ (my wife Lisa’s expertise and profession).
Therapy can also be found in time alone, in nature, in meditation, in journalling, in community, even in our vocations (same etymology as vocal - ‘our calling’), and so on.
When we do this (e.g., therapy… in its many senses) and are more in touch with what our soul is trying to express, says Hollis:
“With the terrain of our inner life, we experience supportive energy, a feeling of confirmation, and most of all, most elusive but most necessary, a sense of meaning, fulfillment, and purpose.”
Hollis suggests 👇
"The goal of life is not happiness but meaning. The great question of the second half of life is not how to live life more efficiently, but how to live it more meaningfully."
—“The Middle Passage: From Misery to Meaning in Midlife” (1993)—
We Have Questions…You Have Answers
This above is one of the taglines for my and Lisa’s little educational startup Humanity Academy.
It often seems we live in a time of many ‘answers’. Social media is full of this shite. The Creator Economy is filled by many folks with no shortage of ‘answers’.
You ‘should’ do this…
You ‘should’ do that…
Do it this way!
Do it that way!
(for $299 on a limited-time offer)
However, the challenge with many ‘courses’ is they recirculate the same ‘answers’ and ‘solutions’. They are generally a reflection of the individual (or individuals) who designed them and a projection of where they are on their journeys.
In my experience, some are quite good… And, some are crap.
I also often chat with folks online who express disappointment or a sense of “Meh!” at some courses they’ve taken from ‘well-known Creators’ — or ‘coaching’ they paid for.
A realization/reflection I’ve had over the past few months — after being at this ‘creator’ gig for over two years:
…the most valuable meanings and experiences are the ones you discover for yourself.
(Simple sentiment… oft-forgotten)
Your journey, my journey, as a Solopreneur (or Entrepreneur, or Soul-preneur) is utterly unique, and so are the experiences, insights, and wisdom we gain along the way.
Courses designed by others can certainly be helpful along the journey, yet, instead of seeking out pre-packaged solutions/answers, what if we all engage deeply with our own experiences, reflections, and mapping of future possibilities?
What is your soul trying to express through you?
And, yet, I am, we are, walking contradictions (to a degree) as we are designing, publishing, and selling courses as part of our work in building Humanity Academy. Yet, trying to do it in a way that poses questions, supports exploration… not give prescriptions and already-drawn maps.
Practical Steps for Exploring Purpose (and Soul Expression)
As Soul-preneurs, As Solopreneurs, As Entrepreneurs… As people in this space between two great mysteries… We all have unique opportunities to align our life’s activities (our work) with the deeper calling of our Souls. Our psyche.
It doesn’t have to be all fru-fru, new-agey, or hippy-dippy… It can be as simple as deeper reflection, and listening.
(At least ‘simple’ to say… sometimes difficult to enact)
This type of alignment (or re-alignment) can bring a sense of fulfillment, of deeper meaning, and infuse our business (even our work… or vocations) with more authenticity, reality, and personal meaning.
Here are a few practical steps to help you explore (and maybe even connect or re-connect) with your soul's purpose… with what your soul is trying to express through you:
Regular Reflection: Take time each day or week to reflect on your actions and decisions. Ask yourself if they are in harmony with your deeper values and aspirations.
Mindful Practices: Engage in practices such as meditation, walking or sitting in nature, or breathing exercises to quiet the mind and listen to the (often) subtle murmurings of your soul. Try to take a break from the constant buzz of “Stimulus = Response”.
Creative Expression: Find outlets for creative expression, whether it's through writing, art, or any other form of creativity. These activities can be powerful ways to connect with and express your inner self.
Living Authenticity: Authenticity is central to Hollis' philosophy. He argues that the soul seeks to express its true nature, which requires individuals to live authentically and align their actions with their deepest values and desires, rather than conforming to external expectations.
Finding Meaning in Life's Challenges: many folks suggest the soul expresses itself through how we handle life's challenges and suffering. Rather than avoiding pain, try to find meaning (and learning) in these experiences, viewing them as opportunities for growth and self-discovery.
Leaning into Life Transitions: Life transitions are pivotal moments for the soul's expression. Career changes or personal losses are opportunities for reassessment and realignment with one's true self.
Using a Learning Journal
Consider using a Learning Journal to explore your reflections and insights. Writing down (or drawing out) your thoughts can assist in uncovering deeper realities, realizations and truths.
They are also excellent for keeping track of your journey towards authentic fulfillment and meaning — not getting caught chasing whatever is out ‘there’.
Reflect on the questions (rather than seek the answers) and see where your soul leads you.
We have a Medium account called The Learning Journal Initiative with several articles.
We also have a Free 5-day email course: The Learning Journal Crash Course.
And, our first paid course: Learning Journals 101 (Shift your thinking, Change your life). ($49🇨🇦)
Leaving you with this image below — drawn this morning while thinking about some of this.
That’s it for this issue of The Soul-prenuer Series.
Would love to hear your thoughts, questions, or otherwise. Please drop a like, a comment, or re-post on channels you navigate.
The next Free issue of Box Cutter Co. will be out shortly.