Why its important to balance Wanderlust with Doing Good
Cobblestone street & Muse
It was Sunday morning in Puebla, Mexico when I went for a run. The cobblestone streets were quiet enough for streams of pleasant internal dialogue. Suddenly I was filled with gratitude when a couple of thoughts came to my head. Gosh, what an awesome decision to accept the invitation to attend my sixth Operation Smile Mission and also why am I the only black person here.
Freedom mode & Travel
I know it shouldn’t matter, but I find myself many times traveling to places and being the only person that looks like me. I remember being in China and seeing a black girl for the first time in a week and I got really excited. It's really odd being the only person that looks like you when you're not in your normal environment. I was in China volunteering with operation smile and yes completely out of my element,but no discomfort would’ve made me stay away. What does travel mean to me and how can I use this privilege to do good in this world.
I remember flying to Peru and having to come right back because I didn't have the right visa. I was heartbroken and devastated to be rejected after preparing and traveling that far. If you ask my friends they'll tell you that I lack an innate ability to stay in one place for a long time. I'd like to refute that however, since early on I had to ask myself what will be the purpose of my travel?
Operation & Smile
In 2010 I went back to Ethiopia to visit my family after ten years. My friend invited me to help translate for a Surgical Mission that Operation Smile was having. Instantly it became my personal favorite reason to travel.
This is Sagu, I met him on my first Operation Smile trip in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
As I slowed my pace, I cherished the feeling that travel brings. When I and other volunteers arrive to participate on Surgical Missions often we are exhausted and jet-lagged, but we jump right to work. I can't begin to explain the sacrifices volunteers make to help Children born with cleft lip and palate. I'm grateful for this privilege the opportunity to use my skills to do what I love.
All Smiles are from Puebla, Mexico with nurses from Sweden, Ireland, Hawaii, Mexico and Ethiopia.
Operation Smile Team Puebla Mexicao, 2017
Understanding my wanderlust
Look at any social media platform and you'll find a plethora of envy-inducing travel photos, but each one of us have a responsibility to filter and use this privilege. I'll admit I've bookmarked endless travel photos and created bucket lists of places I'd like to visit. Although there is essentially nothing wrong with that It becomes a constant reminder to think about the next trip.
So now I'm in Austin on a travel nurse assignment, and last time I talked to my recruiter she asked me "where are you planning on going next"? I told her considering that I just got here, I'd like to just embrace where I am and be all here and slow myself down.
Embracing Austin, Texas
These days my phone screen says "where ever you are be all there" and my favorite hashtag is "slowyourselfdown".Understanding my "wanderlust" can help me be a mindful traveler, allowing it to bring value to my life and others. The desire to explore is in all of us and what we do with that desire is up to us.
