What's Your Happiness?

Daniella: Do you want to go on a blue trip?
Me: Yes.
Daniella: Okay, we leave next week.

Would you pack your bags and go? Maybe… maybe not… Sometimes in life we need that little push from either someone or something. My push was my sister, Daniella. She wanted me to go back on another trip for quite some time, but I just never got around to it. I finally went back on a service trip after 4 years and re-experienced what I had forgotten and more.

It’s very easy to get caught up with our everyday lives and forget what really makes us happy. I focused so much on trying to make everyone around me happy and left little time to worry about my own happiness. But what I learned was that being happy is a very personal thing and it really has nothing to do with anyone else but you.

Without thinking twice about going on BLUE, I knew I needed this for myself and it couldn’t have come at a better time. The week I spent in the Dominican Republic, my life began to slow down and I stopped worrying about things that did not matter to me at the moment. I started looking forward to waking up each morning (especially to Spanish music) because it was a new day to be myself and make an impact even in the littlest way. I found myself smiling more and just taking in each moment one at a time. I opened myself to new beginnings and started doing things I loved that made me happy.

I forgot the joy and indescribable rush these trips bring to each and every volunteer/leader and the reason why they come back as often as they can. It's not everyday you get the opportunity to completely disconnect from the world we live in and experience morning to night without knowing the time of day or what you have planned to do. The memories and friendships made along the way are truly unforgettable and will last a lifetime (S/O to Toby). It makes you appreciate the little things you have in your life and makes your problems seem so insignificant compared to theirs. The campesinos live with very little and you’ll always find a smile on their faces with such pure bliss. Their smiles are sincerely contagious. They taught me there's really nothing I have to do each day but smile and live it to the fullest.

So what helped me find the happiness I was looking for? Simply, living in the moment.

To my sister, Daniella: They say sisters know you best. I couldn’t agree more. If it wasn’t for you being the push I needed, I wouldn’t have been able to remind myself of the pure happiness I experience from these trips. It was just what I needed. So, thank you for being my best friend and being my push. I am beyond happy and grateful I got to experience this trip with you by my side every step of the way. You are an amazing sister and your smile and energy brings happiness to all. Words cannot explain how much experiencing this adventure especially with you meant to me. I love you always. Xoxo, Caro