After sharing my passion for empowering women with all of you, I received some incredible stories about some of you pursuing your own passions in response. As I read through these refreshing and inspiring stories, I thought it would truly be amazing to share these with the world to inspire others to find their passion, pursue it and leave their own legacy. And so, my friends, it is with overwhelming excitement that I introduce you to Seit's newest series, Stories.
My very first guest is Freya from Nishaantishu. Her desire to change the world through empowering people in developing countries to change how they treat their horses, mules, and donkeys is awe-inspiring. Not to mention that she's just an all-around amazing person. Thanks for being here today, Freya!
My very first guest is Freya from Nishaantishu. Her desire to change the world through empowering people in developing countries to change how they treat their horses, mules, and donkeys is awe-inspiring. Not to mention that she's just an all-around amazing person. Thanks for being here today, Freya!
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| Freya working in Nicaragua. Amazing. |
My passion is for equine welfare. I've always had a great love for animals, but horses mean the world to me and I am happy that I can dedicate my working life to improving the health and happiness of working horses, donkeys and mules in developing communities. My family by nature has always been quite nomadic, so I love to travel and keep moving. Also, I have an avid interest in all things digital, so my job is kind of perfect for me: creating digital content and managing online communities for an international equine welfare organization.
What is the story behind finding your passion? Where has it led you?
The first time I sat on a horse was when I was three and living in Bermuda. Moving on eight years and I had discovered one of my life's great loves: riding and competing with my own horses across Canada. Nine years later, I found myself unemployed in London with no horses, no money, no job and quickly losing hope. When my situation was becoming truly desperate, I landed a job at the Brooke.
What are some of the challenges that you're encountering in pursuing your passion?
Part of my job is to travel overseas and make movies about the people who rely entirely on their horse for income to feed their family. These trips are an amazing adventure, but some of the things I have seen will sit heavily in my heart forever. In some places, horses and donkeys replace cars and tractors - it is not unusual to see a burnt out and broken down car on the side of the road, still running but damaged beyond repair - in some places I have been it is not uncommon to see an animal in the same irreparable condition. Seeing that suffering and being unable to immediately do anything to help will never stop feeling like a personal responsibility that I failed to fulfill, but this is what drives me forward in my job.
How is your life different since you've started pursuing what you're passionate about?
Since starting my job, I've had to become a lot stronger in who I am. I've always been strong in some ways, but not when it comes to measuring up to other people. Knowing how strong I can be now comes in handy when I'm faced with taking charge of a difficult situation or walking away from a distressing one. Also, I think having the courage to cling to the pursuit of my passion, even in desperate times, made me braver than I ever was before. That feeling of perseverance has never left me.
What is your legacy going to be as a result of pursuing your passion?
I think that I have made an impact in the way my organization approaches digital media. Also, I've shown a lot of my colleagues, both in London and overseas, that creating content for online communities can be so much fun. I'm almost certain that the Brooke's social media platforms will never be the same again, they are far more varied and engaging now.
What's the greatest lesson you've learned while pursuing your passion?
That nothing is what it seems when you're on the outside looking in. When I was looking for a job, I thought that I would never be as capable as those I admired professionally. Now that I'm one of those people, I see that it was only my self-doubt that stopped me from seeing things as they really were. The same sentiment now holds true when I see someone beating their horse to go faster: it doesn't make them a bad person, it makes them someone who is desperate to make enough money to feed their children. Judging them from the outside looking into their life does not bring about change, but empathy does.
How would you encourage others to find and pursue their passion?
Narrowing your interests down to one passion can be hard, but I think a life's passion is much like falling in love - when it's the real thing, you'll know. And sometimes it takes a bit of creative thinking and adaptability to mold that passion into a path you can follow. My idea of a career with horses originally had me representing Team GB in show-jumping at the Olympics. Even though I'm not doing that now, I don't feel like I've compromised - more like my passion for horses has grown and adapted as I have over time. Belief in yourself, your right to do something you love is also so important. Never doubt for a second that you have a right to make your passion your life's work.
Are you interested in reading more about Freya's passion? Check out these links: The Brooke, Fiona the Female Farrier, and Heaven and Hell in Nicaragua. What's your passion? Do you know someone changing the world through pursuing their passion? I'd love to hear your story and maybe even share it here! Please contact me at seitblog[at]gmail[dot]com.
Are you interested in reading more about Freya's passion? Check out these links: The Brooke, Fiona the Female Farrier, and Heaven and Hell in Nicaragua. What's your passion? Do you know someone changing the world through pursuing their passion? I'd love to hear your story and maybe even share it here! Please contact me at seitblog[at]gmail[dot]com.
