How To Show Up For Others

In today’s society, sometimes, we are expected to be able to do it all. We develop these titles with us in life – such as business owner, mom, and mountaineer, which are notably mine. And in retrospect, these titles become a part of us and a piece of our identity. These titles often can shape and define our everyday lives. However, sometimes being able to do it all and have it all can carry a lot of weight at the end of the day.

We all have our mountains to climb, but sometimes we get so caught up in our struggles that we forget to be present for others. Being there for others can help you remember that there’s much more going on around you than just your personal issues. It can also give you a sense of perspective and calm, knowing that you are not alone in life’s challenges. 

The Angel In The Galapagos

I want to share a story of the owner of the hotel we stayed at that we met on my recent trip to Ecuador. The owner was a world-rounded chef who reviewed Michelin restaurant and her story honestly moved me and reminded me how important it is to drop the ego and be open to give plus receive. She was initially invited to the Galapagos islands at a conference and speak about food-related things but she wasn’t able to make it work in her calendar. She told them “if you give me a trip here I will come to the Galapagos and make it fit my calendar.” 

Scenarios like this remind me that If you are specific about your desire the universe can give you what you want. However, if you generalize don’t know and it’s harder to get what you are aiming for with your desire or goal. For example, this comes into play when you say to yourself and set the intention of “I want to go on a vacation in the Spring.” If you say to yourself I want to go to Park City, Utah this spring it’s easier to make that happen and people can help you get there. Specifics make things easier to come to fruition because it’s easier to make things happen more directly with set goals and intentions.

After the conference, the owners asked her to come back to the Galapagos and would pay her 2 weeks to help with advice on the hotel restaurant. She came back several months later from Brazil to help set up the systems and processes to make the restaurant successful. On the last day, the owner asked her this question, “What would you do if this was your restaurant?” She responded to them with the answer, “I would set up this farm-to-table initiative and all these other more sustainable.” The owner responded, “I’ll give you half this restaurant if you can make this happen because it’s more important to happen in this area than anything else.” 

Farm to table concept is brand new to this area and this was right before the COVID hit. She said yes to the opportunity. Got things up and running before COVID happened. She was also an educator who sent students to do a thesis’s in the Galapagos to learn about farming in the area, hydroponics, and other sustainable solutions to help develop this farm-to-table concept in more detail. She then taught the local farmers how to do these things as well since this community is reliant on the outside world to have access to even basic needs such as food and produce. She also taught farmers to farm organically and use their land more efficiently.

Then COVID happened in March 2020 and we know how it gravely impacted the restaurant industry globally. The restaurant and hotel were shut down because of COVID and the travel restrictions that followed.  During this time she turned the restaurant into a spot for locals to come and share their food with others. Given that the islands relied on the mainland and outside world for supplies, many supplies ran short. The islands only received 1 plane of supplies every couple of weeks in the beginning height of COVID. The owner would bake sourdough bread for other locals since bread doesn’t last and would need to be used up the quickest. When others on the islands lost their homes in the area she allowed them to stay at the time and work in order to maintain the hotel. While the hotel is now reopened and allowing guests again, the impacts to the business because of COVID are still prevalent.

Drop The Ego And Be Present

The impact she has made in the area for the locals will be felt for years and beyond as so many people were impacted and many sacrificed so much. This story reminded me of the fact that how I am as a person is more important than how I am as a business owner. We all have our own mountains to climb, but sometimes we get so caught up in our own struggles that we forget to be present for others who are going through their own battles. Being there for someone else can help you remember that there’s a lot more going on around you than just your own issues.

It can also give you a sense of perspective and calm knowing that you are not alone in the challenges of life. I’ve learned that the key to being human isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being authentic and empowering other others to do the same. Remind yourself that every interaction is an opportunity for someone else to feel seen and valued by the world. The secret to having amazing encounters is to drop the ego, be present, and show up for others as much as possible.