Your Fellow Human

What if you didn’t take it too seriously, what if it was ok to simply smile more?

Today I want to introduce you to Tim, Tim is the kind of human that you can’t help but have a good time with, the kind that makes you feel as though you are always in on the inside joke, like you are always able to be silly, be you, and very intentionally be valued

We chat about what it means to focus on joy, happiness, and its connection to your mental health. He shares about how culture and new people change him, and the impact someone paying genuine attention has on us

He shares how the struggle with social anxiety can impact us but how we are not out of place or less than for these struggles, and how every struggle is an opportunity to share with another what we have learned

Tim is one of the fabulous humans I got to spend time with in Jordan and I’m so happy I get to share a small part of him with you today

So tune in and meet Tim, a human full of life and a heart to magnify the story of another’s

And to you Tim thank you, thank you for being a space of joy, for being a listening heart, for valuing others as you do yourself, for allowing me to learn from you, and for the countless laughter filled moments as we adventured together! @timspisar

What if every person you passed had a piece of advice specifically for you?

Today I want to introduce you to Luis, Luis is one of the incredible creative humans I got to spend the past two weeks with in Jordan and I am so excited and honored I get to share a little of him with you

Luis is a man of many talents and even more heart, he is one that doesn’t hold back from giving his best to whomever he can, both in how he shares his work, and how he consciously chooses presence when interacting with others

We chat about how experience changes how we see others, how there is no limit to what can be accomplished in this life, and how being present in the mundane moments keeps us grounded and creative

He shares the fear of regression, the motivation in pressing forward, and the value in encountering as many people as possible 

We chat about how doubt is something so many of us experience, how women and society sadly view getting older and the definition of beauty, and how he believes there is always something to be happy about 

Luis is a truly genuine and beautiful human, one who graciously shares of himself, graciously creates space for others, and holds humility in love in sincerity 

So tune in today and meet this absolute gem of a human, a man I’m honored to call a friend, and one I believe reminds us all to not let fear hold us back from the joy life has waiting ahead

And to you Luis thank you, thank you for taking the time to share this chat with me, for all I got to learn from you these past weeks, for the joy filled loving impact you made on the whole team, and for being someone I get to call a friend, can’t wait for our next adventure! 

What would you do if you couldn’t fail? 

Today I want to introduce you to Matty, Matty if one of those humans that no matter what’s going on, who’s in the group, or where you are; he is adding joy and value to the time you get to spend with him

I had the pleasure of connecting with Matty through social media and the absolute honor of getting to host him on this creator trip here in Jordan

We chat about the joy in meeting new friends, connoting with a new culture, and getting to truly know those that call a place home.

He shares how life shifted for him and the impact in making 4 major changes to his life all at once, but how he’s so grateful for who he has become and how those choices and his trajectory changed because of them.

He shares one of the most valuable takes on imposter syndrome I’ve heard, and how our action, choice to pursue, and put in the work is what sets us apart from what we want to be and who we become 

Matty is one that truly pursues life for what can come of taking action towards who he knows he can be, one that values those around him, teaches others from a place of excitement and sincerity for the betterment of another, and one that I am insanely grateful to call a friend

So tune in and meet this beautiful human, one that is consciously making the world around him a better place, by being who he is, and the way he chooses to impact how we experience one another 

And to you Matty thank you, thank you for taking the time to sit and share such an intentional conversation with me, for the way you observe life and others, for the way you so graciously and constructively communicate that, and for the absolute joy and laughter you have brought into my life, you are a light and a beauty my friend

Have you ever bonded with someone over a problem?

Today I want to introduce you to Tori, Tori is one of those people that you meet and just feel like “ok I want to know this girl more.” She is a place of warmth, a person of deep connection, a space of acceptance, and a heart full of joy and love for others

Tori and I met a few years back on my first trip to Egypt, as an ex-pat who now calls Egypt home I got to see a part of her world, her joy, and the life she so beautifully created; and now, after a few years and a few more trips here, I got to sit down with her and share this intentional conversation 

We talk about how intentionality and friendship is how we choose to see it and how location is not contingent on deep connection. She shares about her fear of “self FOMO” and how it at times has led her to step into things, and she shares what she claims to be “the most Gen Z statement ever”

Tori is a woman that has allowed grief, change, fear, and struggle to propel her into the beautiful human she is today, she is one that continues to intentionally love, value, and create space for others to be seen, known, and treasured, and she is one I am deeply honored to call a friend 

So tune in today and meet Tori, a bright light, a radiant soul, and one that reminds us all to pursue the presence of who we are to become

And to you Tori thank you, thank you for trauma bonding with me over some malfunctioning horses years ago, thank you for deep conversations in your dimly lit apartment, thank you for your humility, honesty, and the way your light is not something to be dimmed by anything in this world. You are a place of welcome and I hope you are always blessed as you continue to bless those who know you @virvine

What if you viewed your life in three complete parts; past, present, and future, would it impact who you become?

Today I want to introduce you to Omar, Omar and I met in my recent time in Dahab. I wast speaking with a friend at his coffee shop and in walks Omer, and instantly I had a new friend

Omar is what I would call an outgoing, intentional, and empathetic man, the kind that can’t take 10 steps without being greeted by someone he knows, someone who has a smile for everyone he sees, and someone who is beautifully growing in sharing himself with others

He shares the fear of losing faith and hope in himself, about his big dreams, and his desire to not give up on pushing himself towards them

We talk about the importance of asking why, of trying to understand someone else’s perspective and experience, and the respect we can give someone when we might not know the whole story 

Omar is one that believes pursuing your path is the first step towards being encouraged, one that believes in encouraging others as they pursue their own journey, and one that believes and loves our differences but at the same time values the recognition of our similarities 

So tune in today and meet Omar, in many ways the “mayor” of Dahab, the man with a smile, and the human pursuing the depths and heights of what this life has to offer

And to you Omar thank you, thank you for sharing your friends, your town, your time, and who you are with me. Thank you for being my dive buddy, my tour guide, and most importantly, my friend. You are a treasure in this world, loved deeply by those who know you and I hope you never forget how true that is @omar_sadek

Do you remember what it was like the first time you felt anger, fear, or joy?

Today I want to introduce you to Nada, Nada and I quickly connected and bonded over our love for life and the peace we feel in the sea

We also then promptly had an adventure that led to my recent injury and hers as well, 

There was something about this girl from the moment I met her, a tangible presence, confidence, and simultaneously a peace and gentle spirit. She welcomed me as if I was a longtime friend coming to town for a visit and promptly dove head first into adventure 

We talk about the value of existing in the present moment, in the joy found in appreciating the sea, the people, and the life around us, and a desire for those she loves to see themselves the way she sees them

Nada is an artist, both in her painting and in her words, we talked about the steps she took to begin her career as an artist and she shares a piece of her writing, a piece of her journey, and a poem of what home has become to her

Nada is a woman filled with passion, love, and a deep sense of presence for the life she has been granted. She is one who chooses gratitude for what life has become and what it was, and one that I have been reminded once again just how beautifully we can be impacted by another 

So tune in today and meet Nada my fellow diving, adventure driven, sit and write your heart out, friend 

And to you Nada thank you, thank you for the opportunity to share a small part of who you are, for the way you welcomed me as a friend, for surviving the sea with me in all our stupidity, and for being one of the reasons I will always return to Dahab. Much love to you my girl   @nadaaabdo

Have you ever felt like interacting with someone was like looking in a mirror, as if the way they treated you was exactly how you would treat them?

Today I want to introduce you to Mattio, Mattio is one of my friends from Egypt and as many of you know I recently hosted a trip there.

One of the things that is most important to me in hosting these trips, something that goes beyond the history and natural beauty of a place, beyond the food, and the overall experience..

Is the people, Mattio makes his living as a filmmaker and host for those looking to visit his home country; so what better person for me to share with my guests, and have the honor of joining me on most of our time throughout Egypt.

Mattio is a man full of care for what he does, care for those around him, and the occasional silly characteristics that make him the absolute gem that he is.

We had time that flew by, and I am forever grateful for the way my guests were able to leave Egypt not just with memories but more importantly with a new friend in him as well

We chat about the impact we have on others, and the way we give of ourselves often based upon what we are given by another. He shares how he values putting himself in another’s position and being willing to understand that another’s experience could easily be our own as well

He shares how important it is to work towards something you love, something that brings you joy, and how if you do you will never be bored in it

Mattio is one that you can’t spend time with and not leave with at least a little smile on your face, he is trustworthy, honest, and a friend I treasure 

So tune in today and meet Mattio, a man that will leave you with a smile, a memory, and if you let him, a beautiful experience in Egypt

And to you Mattio thank you, thank you for your trust, support, for the incredible gift of not just calling you a friend, but in getting to witness you becoming one to my guests as well. You are a truly incredible human and it is honor to know you my friend @mattio.films

If you need resources to better understand what is currently happening between Israel and Palestine, or if it would help you to hear firsthand from those impacted on either side. I’d invite you to reach out to me

I don’t believe it is my right or my job to tell you how to think, feel, or act

But I do believe it is our job to as a friend put it “ allow the paint from our lives and the paint from another’s to mix, for a beautiful rainbow to come from our differences” 

And so I hope my words today give you space to seek information, space to listen to another, and space to ask why 

I believe humanity, every part of it, holds deep value, that our individuality is both precious and beautiful 

And it is my hope and desire to lead you to see humanity a little more fully in my words today 

Have you ever felt like you were labeled inaccurately?

Today I want to introduce you to Mathew, Mathew is a lot of things, observant, kind, and one that doesn’t let fear or the unknown hold him back

Mathew and I met in Egypt as a group of friends all came together to celebrate another, and as a result of humanity and the value of connection being important to both of us, I got to meet this amazing human

We chat about the value of time, how we need to make time for ourselves and give ourselves space to process, but how that doesn’t mean not making time for others

He shares how he doesn’t believe we are really lacking anything, how our emotions our temporary but still have a right to be felt, and how acknowledging when we aren’t ok doesn’t mean we can’t still find joy in times of trial

Mathew is one that reminded me just how easy, valuable, and impactful a conversation can be when we are simply willing to have it, how important it is to trust who we are and that there’s value given to others in observing and listening

So tune in today and meet Mathew, a self titled Jamaican without a label, and he is all that, a man that cannot, nor should be contained by an ideal, opinion, or a label, but instead is so worth getting to know for who he is as a human

And to you Mathew thank you, thank you for valuing a conversation, for being willing to let me ask so much and learn about who you are, for the sincerity in which you connect with others, and for the way you are so genuinely and gently who you are meant to be. You are a beautiful human and it was an honor to get to know you more and share time with you @accordingtomatt

Is being unfiltered a positive or negative?

Today I want to introduce you to Amy, I met Amy a few months back in Turkey and if I’m being honest she intimidated me a little at first.. it’s weird how as a woman we can meet other women and based upon how pretty they are alone, we can feel like we wont “measure up”

Well after spending all of a minute with her I was reminded how easy it is for fear and lies to ruin something incredible

Amy is one of the most authentic and lovely humans I know, she quickly became a friend I could have a conversation with from across the room, you know the kind where a “look” says it all

We talk about the value in sharing the struggles we have experienced, in being open and real, and how sometimes it may be someone we will never meet who needs to hear our story and how there is so much purpose in sharing who we are becoming 

She shares how her career has taken a recent change, how important it is to pursue what we love, but also how that doesn’t mean we wont need to do things we don’t like

We talk about how anxiety and mental health are things we need to give ourselves permission to see, care for, and be kind to ourselves in, not matter our gender or place in life

Amy is truly someone I am so grateful to call a friend, one that value for her sincerity, rawness, and the way she shows up in love 

So tune in today and meet this joy filled friend of mine, a human that reminds us how humanity wasn’t meant to be polished, and how our unfiltered selves are often the best parts of us

And to you Amy thank you, thank you for sharing your heart, your experiences, for all the deep conversations…and the less intelligent ones, for the way you so genuinely are pursuing what’s ahead for you and the honor it is to know you as you continue to see where life takes you. You are a bright light of love, and I am so grateful to have you in my life @amyyjamie