The Lasting Impact of a Life-Changing Decision

Decisions. We make 35,000 of choices every day, and countless decisions throughout our lives. Every decision we make in life has consequences; some immediately expire, and others last for much longer. The bigger the decision the more important it is to understand the consequences of it. In this article, I share my personal experience of leaving behind a successful business career to help the less fortunate in the MENA region, the challenges I faced, and the lasting impact it has had on my life. I am sharing my story as a reminder of the importance of considering the bigger picture before diving headfirst into a new endeavor.

In 2014, after a few years of working as a business professional, I had reached a point in my career where I felt unfulfilled. Despite my professional and financial success, there was an emptiness inside me. I was barely 26, and I had an uncontrollable passion and drive to do something more meaningful and to give back to the world. An abbreviation of 3 letters was all I was thinking of: NGO. So, I decided to drop everything and dedicate my life to helping the less fortunate people in the MENA region. I believed that by doing so, I could have a positive impact on the lives of those in need and find a deeper sense of purpose. I researched and planned extensively, done some internal preparations, and started connecting with organizations and individuals who were already working in the region. I wanted to make sure that my efforts would be well-directed and truly beneficial to the people I was hoping to help. I cannot find the words to describe the joy, excitement, thrill, bliss, and energy I felt when I received the confirmation for my first field trip as a full-time, dedicated NGO Program Manager.

Before I knew it, I found myself travelling to remote areas and operating in extreme conditions, facing numerous hardships along the way. Throughout my travels, I have been serving people in 9 countries in Africa and 4 countries in Asia. I have used all means of travel, from private jets to camels, often a combination of multiple of those to reach from one destination to another. It was a fantastic adventure! Until I started getting used to it, and the thrill was replaced by exhaustion and tiresome. The lack of infrastructure, limited access to clean water, food shortages, lack of sleep, and mosquitos (don’t underestimate what they can do to you!) were constant challenges that I had to overcome to carry out my work. My health suffered as a result, and I experienced various physical issues, including digestive problems, back injuries, joint injuries, and even a gunshot wound. These setbacks, however, were not the problem. I was determined to persevere and continue my mission to help those in need. I didn’t mind this kind of pain, yet the problem was another kind of pain.?

Throughout this journey, I’ve witnessed unimaginable suffering endured by the people I was trying to help. I saw families torn apart by war, homes destroyed by natural disasters, and lives shattered by poverty and disease. One of the most heart-wrenching experiences was meeting a man who had witnessed his wife being ‘assaulted’ in front of his eyes, and his two daughters getting kidnapped, without him being able to do anything about it. The weight of their pain was almost unbearable, and it left a deep mark on my soul. For around four years, I encountered countless stories of resilience and hope. People who, despite losing everything, still found the strength to carry on and rebuild their lives. These experiences made me realize the incredible power of the human spirit and the importance of providing support and empathy to those who are suffering.

Though my time operating in this space has come to an end a long time ago, the impact of my experiences continues to affect me. The pain and suffering I witnessed have become an ever-present part of my life, and it's been difficult to move on. At times, I feel haunted by the memories of the people I met and the things I saw. I believe this experience has shaped who I am today and taught me valuable lessons about life, empathy, and resilience. It has showed me that I am capable of doing things I never thought I am capable of doing. It has given me confidence, depth, wisdom, and a completely new life perspective. These experiences have also given me a newfound appreciation for the privileges and opportunities I have, and I'm more committed than ever to using my resources and abilities to make a positive difference in the world. I’ve learned several important lessons that I believe can be helpful to others who are considering a life-changing decision. Here are three of them:?

First and foremost, it's essential to fully understand the risks and challenges associated with the path you choose. This includes considering the potential physical, social, emotional, and mental toll the decision may have on you and those around you. Before you make a decision, weigh the cost of it as much as the reward you will get out of it.

Second, never underestimate the power of resilience and the human spirit. The people I encountered during my journey displayed incredible strength and determination, even in the face of unimaginable adversity. These experiences serve as a reminder that I am capable of overcoming great challenges and finding hope even in the darkest times. Learn from your own experiences, and from others’ along the way as well. In the end, both your story and others’ are only proofs that you are capable of doing amazing things.

Thirdly, and most importantly, be prepared for the lasting impact your decisions may have on your life. The memories, emotions, and lessons learned from a life-changing decision can stay with you long, long after the journey has ended. It's important to find healthy ways to process and cope with these experiences, allowing yourself the space to heal and grow. My story serves as a reminder of the importance of considering the consequences and potential long-term effects of our decisions. Before making a life-altering choice, it's crucial to think about what you hope to gain from the experience, how it may impact you in the long run, and what lessons you may learn along the way. Do this, and you can approach life decisions with care and reflection, ensuring that you're prepared for whatever lies ahead. I hope this is landing with you as a piece of wisdom, and not a call for fear. All I want is for you to be wise and mindful while going about making your life a fantastic story to tell.

I wish, deeply, for everyone who has reached this far into reading my sharing, all the confidence and wisdom in the world to make the decisions that will have the right lasting impact on their lives. Whoever you are, I want you to know that you are capable of doing amazing things. Life is short, too short to spend it suffering from wrong decisions’ difficult consequences.

Live long, and well.

Mina Wasfi