Arrival

It all starts before I even arrive.

The scenery alone speaks to me—the mountain tops screaming my name. They welcome me with open arms, knowing I’m about to make changes.

The universe rewards action. Action is why I am here.

Fear of moving forward has held me back from progress before, but not this time. I’m working hard not to let that continue… because I don’t have much time to waste.

Tomorrow—I’m not taking it for granted.

I’m riding the momentum I’m building, with fear still at my back. I don’t even know exactly how I’m doing it, but I’m learning to believe it’s really me.

The Sierra Madre

The Sierra Madre—Mexico’s Cordillera—rose around me like an old friend.

It reminded me of my roots, of my uncle in Mexico City. He was a diesel mechanic, a man who built his fortune by saying “yes” when others said “no.” When a customer’s bus broke down and his boss refused the job, my uncle fixed it on his own time. The man never paid—he gave him the bus instead.

That one act of initiative changed everything.

Gratitude

My mother was one of eighteen children. My uncle, who married her sister, became a quiet legend in our family. Each year, he gave us two buses, two drivers, and a credit card to explore Mexico for two weeks.

As a child, I never forgot.

As an adult, I wanted to repay him.

When I learned of his ill health, I went to see him on his 89th birthday. I looked into his eyes and thanked him for shaping my view of generosity and the world. Tears welled in his eyes as he told me I was the only one who had ever thanked him.

He was grateful.

But I think I was more.

Carrying It Forward

Every year since, I’ve rented Airbnbs and taken some of his children on trips around Mexico—to continue his legacy of generosity.

This time, it was Zihuatanejo.

A place filled with laughter, shared meals, and gratitude.

I’m proud of myself for learning to make others feel seen—because for most of my life, I felt invisible. But I’ve realized I was the one who wasn’t seeing me.

That’s changing now.