ave you ever been fiercely driven by intention and vision, yet struck by a powerful jolt of emotion? That has been my experience of late.

On one side is a deep sorrow and bone-numbing rage toward the savage brutality in the world. On the other is a fierce belief that the potential of humanity is the only answer. Somewhere in between is a fiery mission to call for artists and healers to lead the way of transformative business.

When I was in fifth grade, my family traveled cross-country by car. During one long, endless day, I remember asking my mother, "Who's the president of the world?"

To my dismay, the car broke into uproarious laughter.

As I look back, it was a ludicrous concept. We lived in a time of international division with countries immersed in a cold war. Decades later, I ask the question again – this time, with an adult lens wizened by years of world travel and community development.

Sadly, in main part, the answer is still the same.

War still exists. Countries are still divided. Butchery on unspeakable levels is shown on the nightly news. And yet, our world has evolved. People communicate, in an instant, across nations. Images, thoughts and ideas fly through time at record speed. Small businesses are at their highest levels in history.

Today I say we are the presidents.

No, we can't make proclamations. We can't bring our troops home. Nor can we direct our country or the world.

Or can we? Sound goofy? Consider this:

The Internet exists because of a group of renegades who wanted to create a free way of connecting. One woman from Oregon altered how the entire painting industry markets and packages its product. The office-supply industry revamped its product line to suit the needs of at-home businesses. These changes may seem inconsequential to some, but they have fundamentally shifted how we, as creatives, play out our lives.

People, insistent on following their passions, purposes and beliefs, have changed the fabric of how we live. The key to change is social economics as it relates to livability. It's simple, really.

Need. Demand. Supply. You might think it all has nothing, or very little, to do with abstract notions of a just world. And yet, it does. It responds to how people can enhance the quality of their lives in everyday ways.

As creative visionaries, artists and healers, we have come of age.

With economic instability, distrust of large companies and a growing weariness of world issues, people are seeking answers. Their comforts and securities stripped away, they are ready to go outside their box.

It turns out that my sister, a TQM (total quality management) specialist, sees a psychic yearly. My brother, a strategic analyst, sees a palmist. When my dad, a retired 75-year-old nuclear engineer, told me about the meditation group he goes to, it struck home. The world is responding.

I must admit I get frustrated and, at times, impatient, with the old refrain of artists and healers, that no one "gets" them. It's not about that anymore.

The real question is, are you ready and willing to do what it takes to be gotten?

Look for more of Carolyn's series on creatives in coming months.