We arrive at this crossroads over and over again. One of the main messages of the book is this: “There are two paths in life: Should and Must. Well, the pandemic was of nobody’s choosing… None of those initial changes were of my choosing. I’m finding it interesting and at times difficult to read, not because of what it says, which is an amazing message, but because of what it means to me and all that brings back. I found it on a bookshelf a few days ago while looking for something else, and it said to me: “It’s time for you to read me.” There’s a Talk by Google you may be interested in where Elle Luna talks about her work and the book. I bought it a couple of years back, but never read it.

Presented in four chapters-The Crossroads, The Origin of Should, Must, and The Return-inspired by the hero’s journey outlined by Joseph Campbell, The Crossroads of Should and Must guides us from the small moment, discovering our Must, to the big moment-actually doing something about it, and returning to share our new gifts with the world.It is the title of the book I’m reading right now by Elle Luna. It explains the importance of mistakes, of “unlearning,” of solitude, of keeping moving, of following a soul path. It talks about the most common fears of choosing Must over Should-money, time, space, and the ultimate fear: total vulnerability-and shores up our hesitation with inspiring stories of and quotes from the artists and writers and thinkers who’ve faced their own crossroads of Should and Must and taken the leap. It gives eye-opening techniques for reconnecting with one’s inner voice, like writing your own obituary (talk about putting life in perspective). Why knowing what you want is often the hardest part. The difference between going to work and becoming one with your work. It’s about the difference between jobs, careers, and callings.

And it gives every reader permission to embrace this message.

The Crossroads of Should and Must has a universal message-we get to choose the path between Should and Must. Luna expands her ideas into an inspirational, highly visual gift book for every recent graduate, every artist, every seeker, every career changer. And it was her own personal journey that inspired Elle Luna to write a brief online manifesto that, in a few short months, has touched hundreds of thousands of people who’ve read it or heard Elle speak on the topic. “Must” is the thing we dream of doing, our heart’s desire. Who hasn’t asked the question “How can I find and follow my true calling?” Elle Luna frames this moment as “standing at the crossroads of Should and Must.” “Should” is what we feel we ought to be doing, or what is expected of us.

The crossroads of should and must book