A Renaissance woman or man is one who takes on multiple roles. When we speak of the Renaissance, we think of a reawakening and renewal, and the revival of learning and cultural expansion.

So too, the renaissance soul is nourished by unlimited possibilities and continuous exploration. Maragaret Lobenstine delivers a wonderfully uplifting picture of life for people who are naturally enthusiastic about an ever-expanding number of interests. In her book “The Renaissance Soul: Life Design for People with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One” she guides her readers through a series of exercises to help them discover how to feed their soul’s need for multiple interests, while functioning effectively in a world which doesn’t always see the true value of a renaissance soul.

It’s not that we don’t have a need for specialists, quite the contrary. But, we can benefit greatly by also nurturing those who have an insatiable thirst for continuous exploration in many areas. For renaissance souls see the connectedness of the world in which we live and work.They ask different questions and see situations from multiple angles and perspectives. It is often these individuals who apply ideas, concepts and technologies in unorthodox, but breakthrough ways. Consider Leonardo Davinci, Benjamin Franklin, Florence Nightingale, Thomas Jefferson and Aristotle. Imagine the world without the contributions of these great pioneers. They saw the value of breadth as well as depth in their pursuits and we are all the better for it.

Consider and celebrate the beauty of your own unique gifts and interests! Whether you lean toward the renaissance philosophy or that of specialization, you have the ability to share something that will leave the world a better place. As you expand your knowledge and share your talents in your own special way, consider these words from Albert Einstein.

“Never regard study as a duty, but as the enviable opportunity to learn to know the liberating influence of beauty in the realm of the spirit for your personal joy and to the profit of the community to which your later work belongs.”

Until next time, all the best!
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