Sarah's America's Cup Journey!

I knew from the start that this journey would be life changing but I initially didn’t know just how life changing it could be. Coming here to this island has given me so much time to think about how I’m living my life and where I want to be years from now. 

Bermuda is a beautiful country and full of friendly people (and some not so friendly as I experienced on the late night bus ride I took yesterday). In Bermuda people aren’t afraid to tell you “good morning” or to ask questions about where you are from or if you need anything.

While working as a volunteer, I was able to meet people on a personal level and get to participate in the Bermudian style of hospitality. The negative experiences I have had mostly revolve around foreigners (mostly angry Frenchmen) and transportation but I have to remind myself to not let these instances get in the way of acknowledging the amazing experience I have just been through. 

So why was this particular trip so life changing? I have never had such an opportunity as this. Sure I’ve been able to go to certain amazing events like National FFA Convention, summer camps, and others but this trip was something that I wanted so deeply that I literally cried when I set foot on Bermudian soil. There is something about working hard to achieve your dreams. I have worked hard my entire life but usually for things that don’t change ME, they change my situation. 

This trip changed me. I have been able to find my roots again. Over the years I’ve watched myself grow into an angry and constantly frustrated person. I have been feeling like I have to pursue a certain path because that is what I decided years ago. After months of counseling right before this trip, I realized that I had been doing most of the things in my life for other people. Pleasing people is in my nature and that has been what my entire life has revolved around. 

So when some people asked if this is really what I wanted and stated that I should probably save my money for better things like college, I’m glad that I stayed in my signature strong headed mind and took the leap. I play things too safe sometimes and I’m beginning to realize that’s not how I want to live my life. I want to take chances and make the world a different place. As a volunteer I touched other people’s lives and I made an impact on them. I made their experience more memorable, just by being my true self. 

Over the years I’ve become less friendly and less apt to reach out to others, but if you know me in the truest sense, all I’ve ever wanted to do was to help others. I settled on a life in accounting because of the comfort it provided me. I knew this comfort would also allow me to help others in some degree but it’s a cold field with little to no interaction. Yes, I’m good at numbers but there has been a certain passion that has been lacking in my life. I don’t want to live my life in an office processing the same form over and over again. I want to have the guts to live like my Aunt and run a children’s cancer camp or follow sailing around the world as a volunteer coordinator. 

The biggest way this trip has been a life changing experience is by reminding me that life isn’t always about money. The biggest lesson that life has to teach you is that you can only get so far by only looking out for yourself. When you decide that you are the least important thing in the world, life becomes so much more enjoyable. 

Live life for the goodness in your heart and not the wants of society.