I’m so impressed with what people in the Being My Purpose community are doing as they boldly explore and express their purpose out in the world.
What drives them is both a commitment to make a positive impact and a recognition that this brings them joy. Whether they are creating a nonprofit, starting a business, doing meaningful work in their job or artistic expression, these people inspire me to keep exploring and being out there as well.
This will be a series of blog posts that spotlight people in this community from around the world. My hope is that you will also be inspired to follow your purpose, face any obstacles along the way with a higher perspective, and keep sharing what you’ve learned so that others may have an easier path.
SPOTLIGHT ON: Kristy Sundjaja, Founder of Exceptional Artists Foundation
Kristy is the founder of the Exceptional Artists Foundation (EAF), which empowers artists with disabilities by providing individuals with the tools, support, and outlet to live an expressive, purposeful, and happy life. To accomplish this goal, EAF creates events and initiatives to draw awareness about the Exceptional Artists' talents, develops a marketplace to sell their artwork to foster independence, and funds arts education, therapy, and training programs. Her brother, who has Down Syndrome, is an accomplished artist. She is also Senior Vice President of People and Operations at Taboola, a tech company in New York City.
1. How would you describe yourself in a few sentences?
I love people and I am an optimist. I believe that everyone has the potential to achieve something exceptional in her or his life. To that end, I enjoy creating opportunities for people to unleash that in different communities, from my own family and friends to in schools and at work. In fact, I realize that throughout my personal and professional journey, I gravitate towards doing that in all different types of settings and organizations.
I am also grateful that someone(s - more than one) tapped me and supported me, seeing me beyond who I was at different times. My mentors opened up my mind, believed in me, and encouraged me to take more exciting and rewarding challenges in life.
2. What projects, activities or moments give you purpose?
I don’t have specific projects, activities, or moments. Living a full life and doing my best on what I choose to do gives me purpose. My philosophy is that if you are not happy, don’t blame others because you chose to do it.
3. Can you give a quote from your intuitive reading that particularly resonates with you and explain why?
My intuitive purpose reading with Julie mentioned how I love learning and gathering knowledge, and that I have the purpose to share all of this knowledge with the world. I do feel that I am doing that as a leader on a daily basis with my communities.
Sharing my experience (regardless of whether it is positive or negative) authentically with others often creates positive impacts. This, in turn, alters how I approach different experiences now; I will take any experience and do my best since I know that both myself and others will learn from my experience.
4. What is your favorite way to connect with your intuition?
Meditation. Giving yourself a moment to quiet down and breathe.
5. What would you say is your biggest life lesson that you want to share with others?
At some points in life, you will realize that life is full of uncertainties. Over-planning will become less relevant than being agile and being present to the opportunities right in front of you. Instead of worrying, take action, and be open-minded. Embrace uncertainties because they can make life more interesting.
6. Can you describe 3 specific things that make up your vision of a better world?
Love
Faith
Impacts
7. If you received a phone call that would change your life so that you can express your purpose even more, what would this phone call be about? How would you feel? Describe it as if it has already happened!
I am having a tough time answering this question because I really don’t know what that call will be. And, whatever I imagine is probably not going to be it.
“My callings” were never expected or imagined by me. However, these callings are always so beautifully timed and always exceed my expectations. So, I have faith that what I am doing today is exactly where I should be and is the best way to express my purpose. When the time comes for me to expand my impact, the phone will ring. :)
8. What advice do you have for other people looking to lead fulfilled and purposeful lives?
Create a space for yourself to get to know who you are and what will truly make you happy.
9. What website or social media would you like to include so that people can learn more about your work?
Exceptional Artists Foundation: https://www.exceptionalartists.org/
10. Does 2020 reshape your purpose differently? Why?
2020 reaffirms to all of us that lives are full of uncertainties! And when life takes everything away from you, stay in the present, and be open-minded.
The pandemic shut down all in-person activities for Exceptional Artists. We were wondering what to do for our community! And then we looked around and realized that people were doing more in the virtual world with work from home and school from home. So we said “let’s do our art experience at home” and we did! In fact, we were able to invite more exceptional artists to join our experience than ever before.
To a certain extent, I feel that 2020 stretched all of our potentials. As an organization, EAF expanded our potential and achieved more than we ever set out to do this year. We are truly thankful for that possibility.
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Kristy Sundjaja was part of our first All Possibilities podcast episode with a live audience panel discussion on intuition, science, and spirituality. Other panelists included a psychiatrist, an entrepreneur, and myself. Listen to that episode here.