5 Simple Life Lessons

Since 2015, I have been traveling to Honduras for 1 week every summer. What started as “that sounds like fun” has now turned into life's mission. In 2020, my best friend and I officially started our nonprofit, Hearts 4 Honduras.

If you had told me that I would find my heart and peace in a little village, in a small southern town in Honduras I would have said you were crazy. As the year's have passed the difficult projects we took upon ourselves have have gotten a little easier, I understand the language a little better (still striving to be fluent), but it is the people and the culture that I have come to love and appreciate. These trips have taught me a lot about myself, a lot about my heart, and have taught me 5 valuable life lessons.

Lesson #1. Patience is valuable

My type-A personality, and professional background have always demanded quick and measurable results. Spending time in a third-world country in a Latin culture is not conducive to my background. Above and beyond the cultural differences. Too many times in my life I have raced ahead in one direction to realize I hadn’t stopped to see where I was going. Honduras has taught me how to slow down and appreciate everything and everyone around me.??

Lesson #2. Relationships matter

Whether it be my best friend, daughter, fellow volunteers, the local church, or my donors it is important to cultivate and maintain quality relationships. With a deep relationship, you get to experience more grace from one another. When we travel, things will go wrong, and emotions can run high but it is during those periods of time you see the importance of substantive relationships. Taking the time and effort to develop and nurture a relationship is when you get to experience true joy.?

Lesson #3 We are not in control.??

Contrary to what we like to believe we are not really in control and releasing control is one of the scariest things someone can do. Too many times we look at events as failures, because we see them through our limited, me-centered eyes. It is only when we are blessed with 20/20 hindsight that we see how things are being rearranged in our lives exactly how they should be. Too many times I looked at events or interactions as failures only to be reminded that in reality, everything was exactly as it was meant to be.?

Lesson #4 Communication is integral

These trips teach me a lot about communication. This is a team effort. Each person must work together to achieve our goal. Communicating often and frequently is not an effort in futility but one that reminds each of us our contributions both big and small to make these trips a success. ?

Lesson #5 I’m not that important

It is wonderful to be reminded that I am not as important as I think I am. We as individuals are not that vital to the great cosmic plans of the world. I may never understand how or why certain things happen or were created. However, I do know that when I am in this space, it is a privilege to be able to serve.?

These are all simple life lessons and on July 7th the day of my 50th birthday I will embark on my next trip to Honduras where I will continue to be shown life’s lessons.?See these 3 little faces are what changed my life.

I believe in the value of human connection and in spreading the word among those living in more privileged conditions. Once you have been touched and you have truly understood the reality of not having the opportunities we have, you are changed for life and this solidarity and responsibility that you earn through seeing with your own eyes cannot be learned any other way.

It is this social commitment that we founded Hearts 4 Honduras. This year we have 98% of our team returning from last year. All of these individuals including friends and family members how to support these children through their education and health for the last 8 years. No matter where I am and even on the other side of the planet, I will always be connected.???

These trips simply can not be done without the support of our donors. To help us accomplish our 2023 mission if you would be so inclined to donate it would be greatly appreciated!?

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