What I'm Still Learning.

It's About the Light.

A month or more ago one of our very talented team members David asked me about the history of the name PRISM for our business.?The short story is that I worked for a marketing firm in Cincinnati called Spectrum.?We did a lot of fun visuals with light, and it inspired me to think of other words like that for my business. It was also during the era when the MAJORITY of agencies were law firm like- basically the last names of the owners. I wanted ours to be bigger.?Coincidentally an ordinary triangular PRISM that can separate light into its constituent colors is called a Spectrum!

As I was going down memory lane, I’ve been having little sparks go off in my brain.?When I went to college (which was the only path my parents drilled into me since I could remember); it felt like there were 3 options for careers- nursing, education or business.? After being poor my entire life, business (albeit I had no idea what that meant!) sounded like the most promising path.?At that point in my life the idea of anything that would fill me up or allow me to donate my gifts was irrelevant. I needed to prove to an employer that I was worthy to be paid and bring as much value as possible.

Though there was a light in me that wanted to get out.?It was a slow burn for a while. I remember trying to put myself out there- volunteering at church, donating blood, doing a few walks though nothing significant.?And then kids came along- Becca, Mere, Joe and then Daniel. Life was beyond full though something was missing.

The business was growing and opened doors to boards and volunteer activities that provided satisfaction.?I met so many brilliant minds I would have never had the opportunity to meet otherwise.?Carl Kohrt who chaired the COSI board and was then then CEO of Battelle was one of my all time favorites. ?He seemed to be this perfect combination of smarts and heart. I could see the light in him and wanted more.?

I then opened myself up to all kinds of opportunities- the more meaningful the better. I cared less about who I’d meet and more about how I could help.?It did help focus me in a way that felt very good.?Though my business life still felt very disconnected from my light, or so I thought until recently.

I wrote earlier about My Wish for all of us.?I’ve thought about it every day since then yet still conflicted. ?I ended January with not a lot of progress (still worked a lot of hours!) though am starting to see things differently me.?What if my light is using my connections and marketing gifts to help others? I’ve always tried to do that though thought there were completely separate things. What if all of us could run into the light with no inhibitions and regard for what we’ll find??

What if HE knew all along that PRISM was just my means to the end though meant to be my light? ?It only took me 28 years to figure it out.?We’re all supposed to use our light to bring others out of the darkness. ?It does not discriminate- it shines on and for all of us. ?I now know that my work self is not separate from my heart. ?Carl would be so proud.