"What is your niche?" How many times have we all heard that buzzphrase? Often it's used in business to help our work "stand out". And yet—I find it's a question we can ask Our Selves in any aspect of our lives.
"Niche" is quite adaptable: it's a bit of wordsmithing; it reminds us of the lessons of nature; and when we consider it's original meaning, it allows us to create comfortable boundaries around what works for us—regardless of the situation or moment.
The etymology of "niche" is nest. Ahhhh yes. It makes a lot of sense now, doesn't it?
What does a nest do? It contains and embraces. It's a safe place to return to so that we can rest, reset, regroup and recollect Our Selves. It's home. And it's a home that withstands the unpredictable whims of nature. It's also a place that we can leave when the time comes.
And how is a nest built? In an hour? Hardly. There is great care taken to create it: just the right materials; location; adaptations and tweaks. It's not a bunch of twigs, for instance, that are thrown together. There is framework (boundaries, again) that offers a blueprint going forward.
Now let's take this into our practice. Mindfully creating a space or spaces that nurture us and sustain us allows us to address our challenges and support our process.
To me, that is what a niche is truly about. So then, the question becomes what is your experience with the concept of a "Niche" (2:56)?
