During this year and this process of putting pen to paper about what matters to me, I’m finding I’ve become more clear in three areas.

First, I have come to more fully appreciate the life I’ve lived doing what I have loved. I’ve felt privileged to have been a Peace Corps volunteer, a public school teacher, a National Park Ranger, a founding principal of my own management consulting and training practice, and a leader coach (30 of those professional years as Martha Spice).

Second, it has been a healing journey to bring to life my belief that doing more of what we love is good for us and good for those others with whom we share the planet. This book you’re holding in your hand is a personal milestone for me. Having arrived at this milestone, I’m newly aware that I’ve had too much fun to stop here. Therefore, I’m assuring that the title question will continue to live through its own website www.whynotdowhatyoulove.com.

Third, I’ve gotten clearer that we are sitting in “very interesting times” in the span of planetary history. Now retired, back in my childhood home, having reclaimed my maiden name, I’ve had the space and the inclination to sit with broader questions as our country changes before my eyes. An old order seems to be crumbling. Where there are cracks, there are openings for the new. The world seems to be inviting us to “wake up” and take notice. The “new” will be influenced by the seeds we plant in the emerging crevices, and the sprouts we choose to nourish.

“To find our calling is to find the intersection of our deep passion and the world’s deep hunger.”

Frederick Buechner

The world is really, really, awaiting our gifts. In this moment, I believe there is some urgency. We seem to have arrived at a tipping point where our choices matter more than ever. We can also choose to either contaminate our future livelihoods, or tend to each other and to the earth in such a way that sustains us. We have an opportunity to reclaim the power of love, justice, and community.

Don’t be concerned if you still have questions about the role you want to play on this earth at this time! I do believe that questions are more potent than answers. Good questions, held in the psyche, seem to answer themselves after a while. With good questions, you are in safe company. Just be sure to hold onto the notion that daring to use yourself well is an act of courage of which you are capable. The answers will come when you are ready for them.