When I thought about going on the Race I thought it was going to be all about adventure, intrigue, and seeing the world. I read the blogs about the Race, saw the pictures, and decided that the excitement and adventure was for me. After being on the Race for 5 months my idea of what it actually looks like is so different from the perception I came in with.
Most days aren’t spent seeing the wonders of the world or gleaning amazing stories, most days are spent learning how to live with people while sharing one bathroom with one toilet that decides on a whim when it will flush or not. Life is not glamorous. It is not full of adventure or intrigue. It’s hard and at times boring.
Moments that cause excitement are normally small, a project is completed or a FaceTime call actually lets you use video. But small moments add up. Yesterday I had the ability to build a bench out of pallets, and though it is one bench out of the 10 needed to be completed for a new Internet cafe, there was a sense of accomplishment that made me realize how important small moments on the Race are. The little projects add up to something so much bigger. The small victories make it easier to push through the days where you want to pull your hair out.
Everyday is a choice to choose your adventure and victories. Some days the victories are getting tattoos with your teammates. The moments that you choose to step out in freedom and declare what you stand for. The Race is about carving out a life for yourself that is full of small moments that add up to the adventure of your lifetime.
So while you are looking at pictures and posts that make my life sound so amazing, realize that most days are only cold showers, dirty hands, and trying to stay up until 8:30. My Race is only what I make of it. I, for one, am choosing to celebrate small moments like tattoos and wood working. When my life seems more glamorous than yours, realize that you probably saw your face I the mirror this morning and I have to take a selfie to see mine.
