We Move Media

On heart-stopping and heartwarming decisions

Look! We found each other!

Dear team,

This past month, I made a difficult decision that both makes my heart stop and warms it at the same time. In one month from now, I’ll be headed to Tanzania to help develop a mobile health technology and strategy.

Heartstopping
Almost two years ago, I joined the leading firm in Security and Risk consulting with a number of audacious goals. Within 3 days of joining the firm, I was quickly engaged on one of the firm’s high-profile engagement. I failed often, learned quickly and developed technical skills and business acumen that will serve as the foundation for my professional career. I was blessed to be mentored by leaders who would allow me to interrupt their days with my concerns, entrusted me with more opportunities than I deserved or thought I was capable of and supported any ideas I had to blur the lines between profit and for-profit. This decision was heartstopping because it’s risky and incomprehensible. Why would someone give all this up? I’m leaving behind a service offering I’ve been leading, speaking opportunities at the Toronto Board of Trade and a steady paycheque. All this and a recent promotion(!).

I’m leaving behind a promising career, loving friends and family and Toronto restaurants. Am I crazy?

Heartwarming
Also 2 years ago, I had just returned from Malawi and my passion for mobile for development (m4d) quickly grew from an interest I would passively read about, to a passion that I would actively participate in. When I think of this upcoming opportunity, it’s the perfect intersection of not only my passions, but my skills and values. While it was easy for me to explain why this decision makes my heart stop, the simplest explanation for why it warms my heart is that it just does. This opportunity is truly me. It’s m4d, it’s using private resources for public gain and it’s using my core skills to positively effect change.

Perhaps I’m influenced by the footsteps of my much older teammates (just kidding), who have bravely taken large leaps of faith and have left what was comfortable for the unknown. Who left Toronto with equal or greater uncertainty and are now currently travelling the world to speak at conferences and to promote peace.

This is an opportunity that I would forever regret if I didn’t pursue it. It’s an opportunity where I know it’s right because it’s the one that scares me.

Peaches & love / kris

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 26th, 2011 at 2:04 am and is filed under blog, kristina lugo and tagged with Inspiration, m4d, tanzania. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.