Making the (re)adjustment…

After taking part in a life changing experience, it may be hard for some to make that adjustment back to the norm. But does it have to be?

Last year, a small group travelled to Cambodia in South East Asia and ran a half marathon. What they ended up achieving was far greater than just running a race – they experienced a culture and people with no possessions but who were as happy and or even happier than someone who one would see in the media with ‘all the toys’…

As soon as that group came home you could see it in their eyes – the effect seemed paramount and the change in state was obvious. Right then and there I personally committed to the destination for this year – as did a handful of others.

In the early fall, we put the package together and set the wheels in motion. Everything was going well but the world markets became unstable and this international event seemed to be slipping through our fingers. Quotes were high and interest was disappearing. But there was a light at the end of the tunnel and those who held tight to their dream were about to be rewarded with so much more than a run in the jungle…

As the days approached, the flights were confirmed and the bags were packed. We arrived in Asia in different times – some went early and some arrived at the last minute. We spent much of our time together and were blessed by informative guides. Tourism is a major source of revenue and even though one may feel like a walking dollar bill, the locals really appreciate us being there. The guides especially appreciate when we take the time and show an interest in their culture and history.

We did our best to soak up the centuries of culture – some tragic – some beautiful beyond words. The impression of this alone is unparalleled to many sights the world has to offer.

Besides enjoying the hospitality of a wonderful hotel, delicious food and exciting shopping – we were fortunate to be able to have a philanthropic level of our destination.

Many visitors have returned to places they travelled to with knowledge and skills to pay forward to these types of countries…most of these places understand that education and hard work will set them free or at least set them apart from their past – which can be pain and misery. Basic understanding of health can keep the death rate from skyrocketing. A simple cut on the leg can turn gangrene…a simple dentist procedure can lead to major complications resulting in loss of sight and or even death…

We were constantly surrounded by many who had nothing and those who seemed to be at their lowest point in life but seemed to be beyond that and more focused on being happy and or being respectful to one-another. Not trying to beat the man next to them or trying to get a leg up in any situation.

Now I’m no historian, but the Canada that we know is barley 200yrs old and we’ve managed to jump into the future and seem to be focusing on all the wrong things…

-work less and try to get more

-want want everything we see

-live beyond our needs/means

-separate ourselves from our family and ‘do it on our own’

- smiling and saying thank you because we have to…

Now I’ve only been to Asia 3 times in my lifetime so far, but believe me, it may not be the same for you or the same for anyone out there – but each time I have a harder time coming home…

How can one make the adjustment from one world to another? From one culture shock to another…

We are able to and we can. We have the choice everyday how we want to feel. I for one am sick of people complaining about their petty shit when there are problems in the world far greater than missing a massage appointment or dinging your car door – don’t get me wrong, I am from the West and I love having a car and clean water…but I am choosing more and more to appreciate what we can learn from others who have done it before…we must choose to learn from those who have already learned the lesson the hard way.

Sound familiar? It should because we are preaching this everyday – every play

-work hard get rewarded

-give more than you take

-pay it forward

-support personal reinvention through physical challenge, adversity and victory…

“What if you could learn from the world?"