Post trip: Lindsey Billings

This week I learned a lot about myself and the importance of nature. Before this week, I had viewed myself as a positive person. However, this changed during the “kilo” period at Kiholo Bay. I had an opportunity to clear my mind and realized that I tend to trap myself in a cycle of negativity. The previous night, I had only slept three hours and was not feeling well. Instead of appreciating that I was in Hawaii surrounded by amazing people, I was focusing on the negative aspects of my day. At that moment, I decided I could not allow a lack of sleep to stop me from enjoying this incredible experience. 

My time at the Dryland Forest taught me the importance of being in nature. Although our guide, Lehua, had only known us for 30 minutes, she felt comfortable sharing the story of her ancestors and herself. They had lived on the land many generations before she was born. She told of the struggles they faced when people destroyed their precious forest. She expressed her grief for the lost forest and how it inspired her to stay in Hawaii instead of moving to the mainland. The power of nature allowed her to be vulnerable, and it gave us all an opportunity to be aware of our emotions. Often, we can gain a new perspective by simply sitting and absorbing the surrounding environment.

When I return, I want to spend more time volunteering for organizations that work to improve our local ecosystems. I plan to volunteer once a week. Additionally, I will write down two things I am thankful daily to be more appreciative of what I have. Finally, I will tell people that I love how much I appreciate them more often. Most importantly, I will cherish the memories I made with an incredible group of people this week.