We’re looking forward to introducing you to Rebecca Cohen. Check out our conversation below.
Rebecca, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
People may think that people who are “struggling” join ShareMyJourney, which is not true! As caring humans, we all have wisdom to share, but also need help. The people who join ShareMyJourney value the community of mutual support. Members tend to be natural givers and helpers, and through ShareMyJourney, we have a space to not only give but also to receive wherever we may be along our paths.
According to author Bruce Feiler, the average person goes through a major life transition every 12 to 18 months. I believe we can get farther faster by hearing the experiences of others who have come before us, we also feel less alone and more supported. Each of us is an expert in our own life experience, and sharing our life experience is a gift to others.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
ShareMyJourney.org is a community of caring people who share their life experiences in service to others, whether in 1:1 conversations, small groups online, or in journey-sharing events. There are times in life when you are going through something, whether with your career, your health, or a relationship, and you’d love to know how someone navigated a situation, but there is no one to talk to. ShareMyJourney.org makes those intentional connections happen in an easy way.
ShareMyJourney members are growing and learning from each other. Some have written books, started businesses and nonprofits, moved to their dream locations, doubled their income, started second careers, and increased daily fulfillment – each of us is unique. Members have shared their experiences with grief, care giving, self improvement, spirituality, parenting, and other life experiences. Whatever you’d value a conversation about with where you are, there is likely a ShareMyJourney member or alumni who would be happy to connect for a conversation. Together, we witness and support each other’s personal growth according to what is individually important to each of us and not someone else’s expectations.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
When I was a little girl, my favorite super heroes were the Incredible Hulk and Wonder Woman. My three sisters and I played for hours in the backyard, getting lost in our imaginations and elaborate stories where we each got to pick our own characters. I have a distinct memory of a photo during playtime outside, where my five-year-old self is flexing her muscles, not afraid to take on the world. The photo makes me laugh, but when I feel hesitant about something I want to do, I look at this picture and remember that brave girl is still there!
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I was just speaking with a woman in her twenties who was encouraged by her mom in elementary school to take things at her own pace, which I think is wonderful advice. At times we can feel like society wants us to “be” a certain way, or “do” things in a certain sequence or that our lives have to “look” a certain way to feel successful. I would tell my younger self to decide for myself what I want my life to look like and follow my heart. I waited until I was deep into climbing the corporate ladder to realize that I didn’t want that life, then started re-looking at what was important to me in my late thirties after having two young kids. It’s also never too late; that is why I love supporting women who feel like they want something different to define what that looks like, and to step-by-step realize their dreams.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
I believe our energy lives on after our physical body dies, and I have only come to believe this with the passing of people in my life who were important to me. There have been several instances, but one example close to my heart is a time when my younger son was leaving for the summer and took an airplane by himself. I was very nervous about him being away from home for eight weeks, and we had just dropped him off at the airport. On the way back to my car in an enormous parking lot, there was a vibrant, blue dragonfly hovering for a long while over the hood of our car. I thought immediately of my uncle who shared a love of nature and had passed not that long before. Still looking at the hovering blue dragonfly, I silently asked my uncle to watch over my son while he was away. Several weeks later, as I was looking at the summer camp website for pictures of my son (among hundreds of campers), I came across one photo of my son – he was holding up his forearm to the camera. Sitting on his arm was a huge, beautiful, blue dragonfly! After my son returned home from camp, he also shared that blue dragonflies were all around him during his time at camp – and around no one else.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I am a person that is driven by meaning – if what I am doing doesn’t feel meaningful, or feels like it does not make a positive impact, I have a hard time doing it. I simply want to make a difference, whether that is in one interaction or over years. Having a positive impact is what fills my bucket, so to me making a difference is a virtuous cycle. Positive energy has a ripple effect, and I’d love to create a movement with ShareMyJourney where more people are feeling the impact that they do have by sharing their lived experiences. We all can create a virtuous circle that ripples out for the greater good.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sharemyjourney.org
- Instagram: rebeccapcohen
- Linkedin: https://LinkedIn.com/company/ShareMyJourney-org
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/ShareMyJourney.org
Image Credits
Headshot by Andrea Flanagan Photography, Denver
