“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” – Jimmy Dean
In November 2009, I had the opportunity to visit El Salvador for 10 days with Habitat for Humanity. It was my first trip to Central America. Real Central America…not a 4 hour layover on a cruise ship. Arguably it’s when I fell in love with region. Its food. Its language. Its culture and its people.
Since that trip, I’ve visited every country in Central America from Mexico to Panama more than once. I still can’t get enough…and doubt I ever will.
When we arrived in El Salvador our host gathered us in a small room to discuss what we would be doing for the next 10 days. We were there to help build a new home for our host family. But there was one phrase she uttered again and again.
Flexibilidad.
She said it was the most important thing we could remember during our time there. To be flexible. Things weren’t going to move fast. Sometimes things weren’t going to move at all. Sometimes there would be a cow in the road and we would just have to wait.
Flexibilidad.
I’d argue it’s one of the most important things you can remember in life.
Admittedly, I can be hard to keep up with. The night prior we had sworn off buying any more rental properties, having just sold several of our existing places the month prior, in preparation for Life – Phase II. The next day “the perfect place” popped up and we were discussing making an offer.
Flexibilidad.
What has never changed, however, is the end goal of creating a part two of our lives that looks nothing like part one did. How we get there, in my mind, is irrelevant.
That’s the lesson here. Have big audacious goals. Have a firm idea of what you want 1, 5, 10 years down the road… but be flexible in how you get there. Constantly assess your surroundings and your opportunities. Listen to the universe. Listen to those around you. Be receptive to the clues that will guide the way. Never be so rigid in your thinking or your plan that you hamper your ability to get to the goal.
Emerson said…”a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds”.
Flexibilidad.
See you on the journey….
