Finding Meaning

I'm writing this week's newsletter at Sun Sang Eco Village, a bamboo village eco resort in Tabanan Bali. It's midnight, I'm sitting in a bamboo hut that is the resort lobby, typing these words as I listen to the sound of the river flowing right next to me. 

Why another issue about an eco resort, you may be wondering. Didn't I just write about Mana Ubud couple of issues ago? 

I'm writing about Sun Sang because it's not just another eco resort. The soul of Sun Sang Eco Resort (as co-founder I Putu Wiraguna puts it) is Five Pillar Experiences, a social enterprise that focuses on sustainable tourism initiatives. 

These five pillars are important because they are what tourism should be about. Tourism isn't just about economic prosperity. We (tourists and the tourism industry) need to take into account the social, natural, human and cultural impact of tourism. These are also topics and issues our kids should be learning about in school, but schools are unfortunately too busy with the curriculum. Many kids from developed economies like Singapore travel regularly, but very rarely do they learn about the local community, meet local heroes, or venture beyond the well-trodden tourist tracks. 

Travel opens the mind, but only if done in the right way. When kids are barely learning about social, environmental and cultural issues in school, parents should take the opportunity to expose kids to these issues during family vacations. Not only does Five Pillars help parents do that, the revenue Five Pillars generate also supports social causes in the community. 

Visiting a community for people with disabilities is an example of the type of experiences Five Pillars offers. Tourists get to interact with the community and be inspired by the wide range of talents people with disabilities have. It is through experiences like these that children learn about people who are not like them, develop empathy, and appreciate the talent these 'other' people may have.

The Happy Hearts Community. Image credit: Five Pillars Experiences

Speaking to Wira, I can feel a deep sense of purpose - to use sustainable tourism as a force for good to support his community. What is special about what Wira has built with Five Pillars Experiences is that not only is he living his purpose, he is celebrating local heroes who are living theirs.

Wira and I met through Obama Foundation Asia-Pacific Leaders, a leadership development and community engagement program that seeks to inspire, empower, and connect emerging leaders in the region. We are incredibly lucky, not because we are Obama Leaders, but because we have all found our purpose. We find meaning in the work we do and we believe our work makes a difference. 

I wonder how many people out there are trying to find meaning in their lives. They wake up every morning dreading work, they want change but don't know where to start, and most of all they feel trapped running on a hamster wheel going nowhere.

I felt that way in my first job out of college as a management consultant. Thankfully I was young enough and naive enough to quit in order to pursue entrepreneurship, through which I found my purpose helping kids develop the skills and self-awareness to make their way in the world.

If you need help finding meaning in your life, or if you know someone who does, please reach out.

Wira and I, together with Tomo-san at Mana Ubud, are collaborating to bring Saturday Kids Unplugged to Bali. Check out this video of Saturday Kids Unplugged Karuizawa. The kids had an amazing time. Register your interest via this form. 

If this essay resonates, you may want to check out issue 24 of Education & Catastrophe 'The Art of Choosing What to Do With Your Life'.

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Till the next issue!