My work with Mercy Machines brought me to this place, and it pushed me, stretched me, and taught me how to be a better communicator, but my learnings span far beyond this job.

Over the three months that I was living in Indonesia, I lost track of the number of times I heard the phrase, “Bali is magic.” Every place I went, each person I spoke with, I could hear it and feel it. I’m still not sure how to bring life to this explanation, but I know that it is something that yields kindness, patience, honesty, creativity, hope, encouragement, generosity, confidence, collaboration, simplicity, and happiness. Bali is a hub of movement; it is where things happen. People have dreams and they put them into action. No ones talks about what could be or what might have been, they talk about what will be and then it happens. It’s contagious; it radiates and overflows on everything, and it allows you to see what actually matters. This “magic” is embedded in the culture; it’s what wipes away the fog.

It made me see myself, fully, for the first time and recognize what I wanted out of life. It taught me to take everything in, and understand that I am the only one that can fight for my dreams. It helped me find my voice and stop shutting myself up, and it showed me that the only way to live is to open my eyes, listen, and make things happen.