I was probably Frederich Von Schiller in a past life. I know that's against the rules - to choose someone cool and claim common ancestry - but I'm gonna do it. My brother tells me that we could be fulfilling things in this life that maybe when we were a mosquito we couldn't quite get around to. That's nice. But I think I'm also going to go against the grain with that thought and say - I've pretty much been a badass all along. I was Frederich Von Schiller.

Frederich Von Schiller, in case you were wondering, gave lyrics to Beethoven's Ode To Joy in the 18th century. He put words to one of the most fantastic pieces of music ever written. He took a simple emotion - joy - and turned it into inspiring poetry. I know little to squat about classical music and poetry, but I can recognize when someone is a master with words. Frederich Von Schiller was one of those lucky devils:

Joy, beautiful spark of the gods,Daughter of Elysium,We enter fire imbibed,Heavenly, thy sanctuary.Thy magic reunites thoseWhom stern custom has parted;All men will become brothersUnder thy gentle wing...

Can you sense the Creator, world?

In my past life I wasn't Frederich Von Schiller, master of words. I was Frederich Von Schiller, a regular human being anxious to praise someone or something for all the good we encounter in our lives. Like my counterpart I'd like to give an ode not only to joy but to laughter, to love, to excitement, to eagerness because I do sense the creator.  

...

What's the deal with all my giddy, anyway?

Today I received an invitation to work temporarily on a project with a leading Human Rights organization, assisting with research and promotion of democracy, rule of law, etc. in Latin America. Seconds after hearing the news I wanted to shout an ode to joy. In fact, I think I did in a phone call with my best friend. The world is truly conspiring. Not just sometimes. But continuously. For all of us.

Evidence: In my interview it was expressed that a positive feature about my resume was my past travel experience in Bolivia. The truth is that I travelled through Bolivia because I was trying to heal a broken heart. My initial intention was to skip Bolivia all together, to buy a flight straight from Argentina to Peru in order to hike Machu Picchu flawlessly. Plans changed two weeks before the big journey. Friends I met in Buenos Aires talked me into joining their spontaneous adventure, which involved plowing straight through the western side of Bolivia. I was sold. Thought it would be more impressive to show my ex-SOS pictures from the Salt Flats and tell tales about the magical Lake Titicaca than if I simply hopped a plane. I know that sounds ridiculous, but I won't deny it. Turns out that my life was completely changed by this decision. I saw for the first time how extreme poverty and extreme geography can impact life. My perspective of humanity expanded. I made lasting friendships with my travel companions. And, oddly enough, I even found out about good ol' Matador in Bolivia. (That counts for something, right?)

The big point of all this is to say VISIT that place that always intrigued you, TAKE TIME to learn something and become changed by what you see, and SHARE those thoughts - as corny and perhaps as unprofessional as you may imagine them - with future employers. I think we're all rewarded for honesty and reflection in the end.

Enough of my feel good thoughts. I'm just happy and wanted to share the general feeling.