When Muffadel Saylawala, otherwise known as Muffa, was introduced to me, our connection came with an instant friendship that is now three years strong. Muffa was there from the start of the Momentom journey and is one hell of an inspirational visionary. He recently visited the Nicaragua Artist Residency to share his unconventional journey that saw him walk out on a career in Finance in Chicago to defy societal expectations and take the leap on committing his existence to building one of the most regenerative projects on the planet.
The story is full of elements that anyone can relate to. Muffa was on the corporate path. He had a good education, a stable and abundant road ahead of him, but he knew something was missing from this tried and tested path. Tuning into that message and responding to it, he left his corporate existance to take on a series of out of the box projects and undertakings that had his family questioning his sanity. Muffa volunteered in the ecotourism industry in Costa Rica, built an Earthship in the Philippines, studied with the Shamans of Peru, wrote a business plan for a sustainable ecotourism project for a community of hippies in Australia and consulted for a marketing company in Chicago to foster a culture of creativity, collaboration and “hippy” values for the corporate environment.
After experiencing this smorgasbord of global education, Muffa took some time to reflect on his learnings in Nicaragua. Processing his global education is what propelled him headfirst into a self proclaimed ‘Synchronicity Slipstream’.
Here are five key themes we took from the story:
1. SHOW EMPATHY.
The missing link in the current business model, and what he was searching for all along is EMPATHY. You must give back more than you take. This is how community works, we take care of one another.
2. GIVE MORE THAN YOU TAKE.
Being sustainable is not enough. Make each and every decision from a place of REGENERATION. To generate more than enough to be self sustaining.
3. LISTEN.
As you carry out your journey, the world will be interested in you and your story. Turn it around – listen to your audience and give them a chance to show you their version of the world. People want to be heard and they have a story to tell.
4. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS.
Trust your path and that the universe has your back. Celebrate the wins and show your gratitude.
5. BRING IT HOME.
One of the most touching parts of Muffa’s story was when he described breaking through the barrier of acceptance from his family for his unconventional choices. It wasn’t easy to prove himself, but once he did all the pieces finally fell into place.
Whether its family, childhood friends or just the culture that you grew up with, you will feel a new sense of connection when you can bridge the link between your nomadic pursuits with your roots.
