I wanted to be Mary Tyler Moore’s 1970s TV character “Mary Richards.” She was exactly what I wanted: independence and an exciting life! But as the first girl in a traditional Italian family, I knew she was not the right role model.
Still, I ignored the expected path (much to my parents’ dismay) and spent twelve years in corporate America, becoming Mary. Until two questions rocked my world. I dramatically left my job, career, and Mary on a more purposeful path of my own, and I never looked back.
As a nine-year-old girl memorizing every move of her idol in front of the TV, I never imagined this would be my story.
As a successful television marketing executive in New York City, I had everything Mary had: an exciting job in a big city, a beautiful apartment, a beautiful wardrobe, a fun best Friends, and colleagues who are like family. But one afternoon, as I sat alone in my beautiful apartment in the big city of New York, my life changed forever when I heard a voice inside me quietly and clearly ask me:
“If this is the next thirty years of your life, is that enough?”
I’m thirty-eight and I know all the voices in my head, but this one feels like it’s coming from somewhere deeper, lower down. Within a millisecond, I knew the answer: no, something was missing. I know what those are, too—children.
My mind goes to a recent television news report in which police and social workers burst into an apartment and removed injured children. I called the police and asked them where to take these children. They told me about our city’s emergency shelter for abandoned and abused children.
Within minutes, I started calling these shelters, instinctively asking if I could visit in the evenings with storybooks to read to the children at bedtime. For weeks, I showed up at the shelter, sitting on the floor in a suit with my children forming a crescent circle around me. Every time I visit, I feel more grounded and more connected to these children.
This group of kids was never the same, but in their silence, they all looked to me for comfort and security. I never wanted to leave. One night after story time, I followed the staff to the bedroom.
The kids slowly climbed onto the couches and futons. Some cried as compassionate caregivers tried to comfort them. But I didn’t see in my bed what I remembered from my childhood. No hugs from mom or dad, no snacks, no whispers, and no prayers. They arrive in tight or dirty clothes and have not changed.
As I watched the kids comfort themselves and each other, the words that came out of my mouth were, “Can I bring pajamas for the kids next time?”
The next week, after reading their stories, I gave each child a brand new pair of pajamas. A little girl, about six years old, refused to take a pink nightgown from me. Her hair was in a lopsided braid, she was wearing a stained top and lavender pants that were too short, and her oversized sneakers fell off as she walked.
She looked at me for a long time and when I was done with the others I tried again to give her those comfy pink shoes. She shook her head again. I knelt down and whispered, “Look how soft these pajamas are? Go ahead and feel them. You can keep them forever.” As she carefully brushed her hands over the sleeves, she asked me tiredly:
“what are pajamas?
My mind was racing. What? I looked up at the loving helper next to her and she said to me, “She doesn’t know what pajamas are.” I found myself explaining to this precious girl what pajamas were. She slowly led them into the bedroom with support. When I calmed down and walked to the door, I looked back and saw her waiting for me in her new pajamas, with a smile on her lips.
I mustered up my courage, pajamas plan was born. My purpose found me.
Learning how to recognize and utilize your inner voice is key. While it only takes a minute to hear it, it takes a while to trust and follow it.
So, how can you trust this voice? I was stunned and had to compose myself before I could even process what I was hearing. I was alone, but I looked around cautiously to see if there was anyone else. No one. But I already knew who asked the question—it was me, just in an unfamiliar voice.
Learning how to recognize and utilize your inner voice is key. While it only takes a minute to hear it, it takes a while to believe it and follow its direction. What happens next may throw you into unknown territory. but If you follow it, you will feel more content and happy than ever before.
The transition from corporate executive to nonprofit founder was daunting, but after a lot of fear and doubt, thousands of sleepless nights, and tears that probably filled the Atlantic, I overcame what I thought would ruin everything challenges. sometimes You just have to be afraid to do it.
I approached every turn with faith, determination and courage. I found my purpose, and a chain of events set in motion by one little girl is creating a legacy that we can only attribute to the magic of human connection.
“It is not the power of one person that changes things; It is the strength of each other that can move mountains and touch hearts.
How can you “hear a voice” and change not only your own life, but the lives of others? Each of us has a goal. When our interests turn outward and our natural desires become Uplift others by creating something that has a lasting impact on us all.
About Genevieve Piturro
Genevieve Piturro is a TEDx speaker, author, and coach/consultant. She quit her job as a television executive to found the national organization The Pajama Project, which this year celebrates its twenty-third anniversary and has shipped eight million pajamas and books nationwide. her book, Purpose, passion and pajamas, The book debuted during the coronavirus lockdown and became an Amazon bestseller, winning seven awards. Genevieve has rang the Nasdaq opening bell and has been interviewed by OPRAH, TODAY, GMA, The Early Show, CNN, Fox & Friends, O Magazine, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Glamor, SELF and Parenting Magazine.
