The Big Why
Richard Pierce Thomas
Leadership and Small Business Consultant
The bucket of cold water got my attention, taking my breath away as it ran down my back.
“What am I doing here?” I exclaimed, though no one could hear me. And even if they had, they wouldn’t have understood a word I said.It was day one of my recent mission trip to Les Anglais, Haiti. I had been anticipating the trip for months since my friend Jim had convinced me to tag along.
Arriving in Les Anglais, the reality quickly sunk in as to how primitive our living conditions would be. No running water, electricity only for a few hours at night by generator and ninety-degree heat outmatched by the humidity.
“Welcome to Haiti,” Jim said with a smile.Thus, as I poured another bucket of water over my head, I began questioning my sanity in having made the trip. Venturing into town later that morning, we walked through narrow alleyways and street markets, passing one grass hut after another while children poured out of the darkened doorways in droves.
“Blanc, blanc,” they exclaimed with wide eyes and pointed fingers as they followed us through town.
Eventually the bold ones were hanging on anything they could grab hold of, inspecting our white skin with forensic curiosity. We made our way back to the compound and settled into the sanctuary where we opened our English/Creole phrase books and spent the rest of the day teaching each other words, laughing at the pronunciations. Through the broken translations and with the help of our interpreters, we learned about life in Haiti and the daily struggles they encounter. To say it was humbling would be an understatement of a lifetime.
Hunger is ubiquitous; access to basic healthcare virtually non-existent and education is a pipe dream for most. It’s a seemingly impossible situation and it left me overwhelmed, the hopelessness of it draining me of what little energy I could muster in the heat. How could I possibly make a difference? resounded in my head without a satisfying reply.
As it were, the answer would come sooner than I expected as the third day in Les Anglais began with the Children’s Program. We spent the morning building benches for the classrooms and afterward brought the kids together to present the supplies and gifts we had packed along for the trip. The students applauded politely as we handed the boxes of pencils, erasers and writing tablets to the teachers.
It was the last gift however that was the game changer, though it had begun as no more than an afterthought. Just before leaving for Haiti, I’d asked the president of my local soccer club if he had any equipment the club could donate, explaining the trip.
“Of course,” he said enthusiastically and offered some balls, cones and a few dozen old uniforms. Thus, as Jim hoisted a soccer ball up for all to see, sheer pandemonium broke out with shouts of “baloo, baloo” (Creole for soccer ball) echoing across the campground. It was in that moment that I realized why I was in Haiti—that for the rest of the day, as the kids chased each other around the rock-strewn field—they forgot about their hunger. The experience of this has stuck with me as I’ve adjusted to being back home.
I find myself viewing my problems from a different perspective. On my worst day, my issues aren’t half as bad as what those kids face. And yet, they still found reason to laugh and express joy. All of which has brought me back to reflecting on why I do what I do in my business.
I am called to serve. Whether it is the clients in my business, the people in my community, or bringing some joy to children in Haiti, even if for just an afternoon. My trip to Les Anglais not only confirmed this, but also demonstrated when something meaningful transcends our own desires, then our business takes on a greater purpose. It has a Big Why. If you find yourself consumed with challenges and worry, get out and serve someone.
Perhaps you’ll even learn what your Big Why is. I guarantee it’ll be a game changer.
Rick P. Thomas is President of Activate Leadership, a leadership development consultancy in Washington State. He consults and speaks to organizations across the country, focusing on individual and organizational achievement.