Tanzania: becoming the change I want to see in the world

When I think of all the people that inspire me, the list goes on and on. Inspiration comes from everywhere. I believe it all just has to do with perspective. Everyone and everything around you provides you with a lesson and you can use it as a tool to better yourself. 

Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most inspirational people when I think about how I intend to carry out my life.  Gandhi once said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” This is something that Children's Global Alliance has taught me as well. Since starting I now understand that I truly play a role in this world. As long as I’m pointing the finger at everyone else, change won’t come about because It’s not about anyone else, but myself. Someone may be doing terrible things towards others, but I try to ask myself: Am I being loving to myself? Do I perform honorable acts for myself? Do I express love and gratitude towards my family? Am I loving and patient towards everyone in my life?

As long as I keep the message of Gandhi and the children I have helped in both Nicaragua and Cambodia, I can share their love and knowledge towards the people in my world, and the people in my life. In turn, I can potentially spark a change in someone else. Someone who was loving, inspired me to do the same, and in turn, I will inspire others. That's how Gandhi says we change the world. 

Gandhi brought India to independence by using non-violent resistance. His exceptional leadership skills are something that I could learn as a mentor this year. Simplicity is the second most heroic quality that Gandhi showed. He believed in living a simple life, he urged a simple life with only the necessities that he needed. The children in Cambodia taught me this as well, that love is truly all you need to be happy. 

Another person that inspires me is someone I have met only just a year ago. She lost her husband in a tragic accident and every single day she pushes through and does not let anything stop her. This woman was able to create an organization in both of their names using his message of helping others. Being in Cambodia with her and seeing how the people of Cambodia grew from their sadness and how they chose not to morn but use their past to create a stronger future, really made me realize this is something she had also done this whole time. She is able to spread her husbands message of love and compassion while doing the things she loves. She is able to inspire others with her ability to not necessarily "move on" but how she is able to not let his death hold her back, but instead she is able to carry out his qualities that made him who he is. This is something that I believe everyone should learn from; to not let what happens in the past define you but rather use it for growth. I am so grateful I am able to join this woman on another journey as well to Tanzania this summer. 

I would not be who I am today without my best friend. Since probably 5th grade she has been such a huge part in my life. She is always so full of light and wherever she goes she is able to radiate this love and happiness that so many people need in their life, which makes her who she is. In 2012 I traveled to Nicaragua with CGA for the first time with her. Seeing her passion the entire time showed me the way, and I believe being with her is what sparked my fire to help others as well. Last summer we were able to go to Cambodia together. This was our second trip, so both of us were able to share the same passion and work with each other in a different way than before. Being with her makes me a stronger person because of her incredible drive towards what she believes in as well as her ability to fully extend every ounce of her being helping others. 

I am unsure of what I did in order to be able to travel with her again this upcoming trip to Tanzania, but I have never been more prepared, or grateful. Being the mentor this year, I am ready to use everything I have learned in the past from her and use it to create a fire to hopefully spark someone else's flame, like she did to mine. I am ready to use her passion that I have grown from, and help others have the same drive. 

"What animal would you be and why?" When I received this prompt it took me a while to find the "perfect" animal to describe who I am most like, or what animal I could be. While I was in bed thinking about all the animals in the world, it came to me. The answer had been cuddling with me all along- a dog.

I read somewhere about Chinese Feng Shui, that cats actually have a tendency to absorb negative energy in people and in their homes because they can detect these negative areas biologically. They absorb radiation, sickness, disease, or pain from these spots and also shield others from the harmful affects. I have always found this so interesting, but as I looked more closely into the information I found that that dogs are also capable of doing this. Unlike cats, dogs don't absorb the negative vibrations and energies like cats do, instead they recycle it. They take in the negative energy, and transform it into positive energy that they send out. 

I have always seen myself as a "dog" in this sense when it comes to problems with my friends, family, school, and all areas in my life. Knowing this now, I realize this is something I have always did in some way or another; when something negative happens in my life, I exert it's affects on me as positive energy.
Dogs are known for being loyal, being by your side every moment you need them. They love you unconditionally no matter way the circumstances are. I aim to be a loyal friend on a day to day basis and this is something that I now realize this whole time I could learn from my own pup.