I don’t think that we give ourselves enough time in our busy schedules to stop and really, truly let go and enjoy life. In a conversation with Mrs. Fenchel she said something that really hit home with me. She said, “I wanted to come home with my own stories to share.” We get so caught up in how busy our life is and forget to stop and really appreciate the special moments we have in our life. We get so focused on making things right and perfect we forget to stop and laugh and enjoy how wonderful our life really is.

Being able to be in Guatemala and have this opportunity is truly life changing. I have seen a small shift in my outlook on life. You see, I was in the back of a truck with about nine other people. We had the most beautiful view of the mountains and the lake as we drove down the mountain to Panajachel. We had the wind in our hair and the sun was beating down on our skin. The lake shone a brilliant shade of blue and sparkled in the sunlight. It wasn’t entirely safe but you have to let go of any doubts and fears to really enjoy the atmosphere. It was the perfect opportunity to stop and appreciate everything around me instead of rushing through it at a million miles an hour. It didn’t matter that we were stuck in traffic or had places to go. All that mattered was what was in that moment and the people I was able to share it with.

At home I rush from university to work to home and my day is so jam packed that I have no time to appreciate anything. Even at work there is so much pressure to please everyone and do everything absolutely perfect, I don’t have time to stop and enjoy myself anymore. I don’t have a story to tell at the end of the day but now I do.