The Happiness Project

It is early evening and I am sitting outside enjoying the warm breeze, it is spring here in Udaipur but the heat is rising by the day. I have just put down my e-reader having started my newest book  “The Happiness Project”just an hour ago and for the first time in 3 weeks I am inspired to write a blog.

3 weeks ago I landed here in India, starting my journey “back” with a week stay in Delhi. The past three weeks we have had 6 groups of young people travel for the first time to India on our service learning trips.

As a product of such a trip I find so much of my passion reflected in their experience, I have talked in the past about how excited I get to witness their “ ah ha” moment. I love watching these young people make connections with communities members who have never before been looked in the eye by a person of a higher status. Every time I lead a trip I learn something new- but the more I do it the more I take these experiences for granted.

But just last week I had the opportunity to host a group of donors who travelled to our Free the Children projects here in India to see the fruition of their hefty donation.

This particular donor was very passionate about girls education and women empowerment, part of their two day visit was a meeting with the first women’s group in our community called Lai. These women have come together in a 2 year long process of empowerment, self sufficiency and alternative income generating.

I had learnt about their project and had memorized the messaging but as I walked down the hill with the donors in tow I was especially moved, ALL the women had gathered ready to welcome our small group with rose lays and red bindi’s. In introductions the women were told that I would be joining the local team for an extended period and they erupted in giggles and smiles. They excitingly gathered around, all talking at once in Hindi, showering me with smiles and grabbing my hands. Although my words will not do the experience justice it was yet another “ah ha” moment for me. 

In minutes the excitement bubbled over into a mini celebration….I was soon holding a precious little baby about 2 months old, dancing with the women to the drumming and laughing as they all welcomed me with tips of advice. The most memorable was that “I MUST learn how to make roti”!

It was almost as if I had a out of body experience, but while this was all going on I vowed never to take for granted my time here.

Yes the culture is challenging, I don't care much for the food, I crave salad and sushi on a regular basis, I miss my family, my puppies and my best friends….

I am here for a reason and the journey has just begun. 

I am taking on my own little Happiness Project!

Walking in the footsteps of a giant

 

** EDIT

That day I thought I was at Ghandi Smriti but it turns out this garden is the location of his cremation, not his assassination.

A couple days later I visited the location where he took his last steps that led to the place of his assassination….

 

 

 

….

We all heard of the heroic hunger strikes that rallied this once divided country- it is because of this heroism, this selflessness that many of us look to Mahatma Ghandi for guidance in the difficult struggle for social justice. “ Be the change you wish to see in the world”.

Ghandi is a social justice giant. Today I walked in this giants footsteps.

Ghandi Smriti in the heart of New Delhi is a breathtaking tribute to the one and only. People come from all over the world to pay homage, to walk the walk.

In the centre of this vast garden and walkways is a marble centerpiece and an ever burning flame marking the location of Ghandi’s assassination in January of 1948.

 

The air is filled with the scent of gorgeous flowers and the sound of chirping birds- both of which were super prominent to this Torontonian coming from cold, cloudy skies.

The energy within the garden was one of humility. I wasn’t the only one who felt as though I was literally walking in the footsteps of a giant.

I paused at this engraving on the wall surrounding the main tribute… the Seven Social Sins. Simply put but incredibly powerful.

If I could have lingered all day I likely would have.

Throughout the day I had the opportunity to stop at a number of prominent monuments throughout the city.

My second stop: Humayun’s Tomb.

The tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun and a UNESCO World Heritage site. My driver tells me it is a mini Taj. And it was a BEAUTIFUL sight.

Third stop. India Gate- the national monument of India built in 1931.

It commemorates the lives of 90,000 soldiers of the Indian Army who lost their lives while fighting for the Indian Empire.

Ohh and I saw a snake charmer….

Ugh!

My experience here in India to date has been limited to a small city surrounded by the Aravali mountains. The city comes with a number of new sights but also a number of complexities.

Although I was a “tourist” today my eye for inequality did not take to the back burner. My stomach sank when I watched a family collectively sorting through a massive garbage pile likely salvaging plastics bare hands and feet and my heart ached when I watched the small children begging to the hundreds of tourists flooding about while their parents or “leaders’ lingered in the background collecting their rewards.

These were just quick glimpses that reminded me that while I am permitted to marvel at the beauty and the history- what I am most connected to is the development that this country still desperately needs. The worlds 2nd largest economy in the world.

All in a days “work”.

On the map

Delhi bound (indicated with a black star) tomorrow evening… Udaipur bound  (Red square) on the 11th.

A new chapter

The last year I have been blessed with many incredible opportunities. I have faced challenges and been rewarded with many successes. I am constantly surrounded by good people with huge hearts and am always backed by a strong support network on the home front aka my family. As I prepare to begin my next chapter it is on those opportunities and those successes that I reflect upon and that incredible network  I rely upon.

I have taken a new position with Me to We (same organization) as Manager of Leadership and Trips Programming in our India office. I will be spending much of Spring and Summer in India with occasional stays in Kenya and a return home in the fall with a 2 year contract.

As you have read from past trips, I admire India.I love the culture, the communities we work in have really captured my heart and I am passionate about the opportunities we provide young people to travel, give back and learn first hand about poverty, development and the responsibility that comes with global citizenship.

This is by far the biggest challenge I have ever taken on, I fully expect to have highs and lows. I expect to long for a drink with friends, a lazy movie night with the girls, a snuggle with my puppies, a walk in the woods with my brothers, a warm hug from my parents  and the smiling faces of a bustling office BUT the confidence I have my relationships and in my ability to ROCK this new position and support our team in India through exponential growth and development will carry me through!

I head off on Sunday for a month returning for a month in Toronto before the big move in May.

The next chapter begins in a matter of days… read on!