For well over a decade, Robin Rather lived in Washington, DC and worked incredibly hard to prove herself in the technology industry, working for a large and highly successful market intelligence firm. Basically, she had to stay on top of this rapidly changing industry.

As Robin says, "Quite unintentionally, I stayed in the industry for 20 years, working for IDC from the lowest part of the totem pole to become a Director. It was a very arduous process, working 7 days a week year after year. I studied emerging technologies and became an expert at writing and speaking about them."

Having graduated from Tufts University with a degree in sociology, Robin felt two conflicting forces. The first was her desire to be independent and self-sufficient. The second was the challenge of being a woman earning a good living with just that degree.

"I was really good at it, and ultimately made what became a very good living. But it was unbelievably difficult. The job impacted my life, my friendships, and my relationship with my family. During that period of time, a date with me was coming to my office, sitting on the sofa, and watching me work."

In Washington, a whole set of values - both spoken and unspoken - impact how people work and live. After all, notes Robin, people there don't even get to elect their own representatives. She wasn't part of a true community.

In 1993, for various reasons, Robin moved to Austin, Texas, one of the most community-minded and progressive cities in the United States. She was still in the technology industry, but the change in location ultimately changed Robin.

"Austin is a completely different type of town, very community and family oriented. People here are not so impressed with what you do, but instead care about how you spend your real life. You aren't your business card.

"Not long after coming here, I made the decision to never work another weekend as long as I lived. That decision opened up many possibilities. I rediscovered my original life's purpose to pursue environmental activism, and eventually became chair of Save Our Springs." (This local organization seeks to protect the Edwards Aquifer, its springs and contributing streams.)

In 1996, Robin married guitarist David Murray. In 2001, the couple adopted a baby boy named Andy.

"When my son was born, it was almost like a cataclysmic thing. I was in the delivery room with the birth mom and she and I stayed up two nights talking. When Andy was born I knew I would never be able to work in the tech industry again. My original purpose returned: making the world a better place.

"Austin changed me. I think it matters where you live. You absorb the values system, and the unspoken expectations. There couldn't be a bigger difference between DC and Austin. Part of it was the culture of Austin. I worked extremely hard as an environmentalist and activist here. I was fighting really big and bruising fights, advocacy fights about the environment.

"But here in Austin it's easy to get deep in nature. From my house, it is a ten-minute walk to Barton Springs. I am able to spend more time, in the creek, and in the woods."

Shortly after Andy's birth, Robin sold her interest in a technology firm she had started with four other partners. She received a payout over five years, which essentially enabled her to keep receiving a paycheck for that period without having to stay in a job. For three years, she stayed home with Andy and became a true member of the community.

Then Robin formed a consulting organization called Collective Strength. They help clients wrestle with issues relating to sustainability, one of Robin's true passions.

"With Collective Strength," explains Robin, "Everything I learned to do in the tech industry, my intention was to take all of that time and effort and put my whole heart and skills set into sustainability projects.

"My intention was to bring my life into alignment, which is what has happened. I have no desire to return to my life in technology, no plans to return to a split life. In a way, I sometimes think of my years in the tech market as a giant wasteland. I made a good living and did exceptional work. Yet I wish I stayed true to my original purpose.

"But I'm a believer in life playing out as it should. Being able to hone my skills in that market, I learned things that make it possible for me to be successful today.

"I feel unbelievably lucky to get paid to do meaningful work. I put my whole self into it - all my passion and compassion. I feel very lucky to do that as a mother. It has been a huge change."