Even after being to countless third-world countries, the people of Cuba touched me in a way I could have never expected. People that, on the surface, look like they have so little but, when you say hello to them - they are deeply happy to get to know you and share in your life. And help you in any way they can.
And once you start to get to know them and meet their families and see their homes - you don't feel bad for them. In fact, you feel like they have it figured out more than you. Like they understand where true joy comes from more than you do because they express it in ways no material things could help with.
Their joy is found in their relationships. In their families. In their friends. Their joy is found in hosting you and giving you the best experience possible. Their joy is found in sharing food with you and stories about where they come from, and what their dreams and aspirations are. They don't sugar coat - they are honest about things that they wish were different - but they do not dwell on them.
Each day, they wake up, sweep the steps in front of their humble home and open up the doors to let the sunshine in. Friends stop by to bring fruits and vegetables and they spend the time to really talk to them and share in their life with them.
To those who don't know my story while there, I got a horrible case of salmonella/stomach infection in southern Cuba and the locals there gave me everything to help me make it through it. A place to stay for as long as I needed, medicine, food, drink, love, conversation... Everything. And didn't ask for a single thing in return - not a penny for the help they offered.
And in that lesson, I learned the true value of life. That true joy is in giving to others more than you give to yourself. In sharing what you have to help make the lives around you richer and easier. And that no amount of money can give you the same feeling. I am so grateful for the lessons I learned through my time there.
Please do what you can to help support the people there. And really think about the grand scheme of humanity, when getting involved in politics and how you can make a difference. Millions of people can, and are, suffering by the political games of an individual person or campaign and that is not okay. For I believe that, if we have one duty in life, it is to try and see past our own perspective to realize how we can best help those who need it the most.
P.S. GO TO CUBA!
