3 Reasons To Get Out of America ASAP

Before I reveal to you why you're life will be forever changed by getting to know another culture, I'd just like to say...

*sigh*

Utah is stunning.

I never really thought so growing up, but after coming back from a place with no mountains... UTAH IS STUNNING. I love it!!!!! The trees here are beautiful. Big, green, climb-able. Lots of shade. You can sit on the grass without worrying too much about getting eaten alive by bugs. You can wear your hair down without it sticking to your sweaty neck. And the SMELL. My goodness. Utah has the sweetest smell. The air just reeks (in a delicious way) of sweet, perfume-y flower/leaf smell. Ohhhhhh I love it. Maybe you'll never notice it unless you leave for a while and come back.

But being here means I'm not in Mexico anymore. :(

I cannot begin to describe how incredible this experience was, and is. "IS" because it's still affecting me and always will. New experiences can be treated like a temporary phase (with no long-term gain) or as an opportunity to let something change you. It's all up to you. It's a conscious decision.

I let Mexico change my life.

Okay, fine, maybe it's not that dramatic... but here are a few things I've been trying to change as a result of getting to know Mexican culture.

• I try to eat slower.
  
  
  
  I actually enjoy the meal now. And it allows time for feelings of gratitude to creep in.
  
  
• I try to remember that I'm not entitled to ANYTHING.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Maybe you've heard that, to other cultures, Americans seem to come off as a little bit entitled and spoiled... Well I'm not going to over generalize and say that's completely true, but it definitely has an element of truth. Every time one of us complains about a cold shower, contaminated water, cockroaches, the heat, humidity, bad plumbing, slow wifi, or an unreliable bus system, we're basically shouting to the world that we think we have the right to the best versions of these things.
  
  We don't.
  
  Don't get me wrong, I've also done my terrible share of complaining, so join me in quitting cold turkey. Let's ban together and decide to not become spoiled, or entitled, by the privileges we have. Let's not get irritated when we don't have an internet connection, or if our FILET MINJON from a FIVE-STAR STEAKHOUSE comes to the table a little colder than expected, or if Siri took us to the wrong destination. Let's try to represent the United States as a country whose majority is made up of helpful, thoughtful, considerate and gracious individuals rather than those that are entitled and unsatisfied. (Yes, every country has both the good and bad, but every individual is a part to that whole and has the power to change how the country is as a majority with one attitude adjustment).
  
  
• I try to show love.
  
  
  
  
  I spent a month and a half getting showered with hugs and kisses from friends and strangers, only to come home to a culture of coldness and exclusivity. Why do we avoid eye contact if we see someone we know at the gym? Why is it so hard to keep in touch with old friends? Why don't we make it an effort to spend a word and a hug with those we get together with, even if we are only mutual friends? I don't think we inherently care less about others than Mexicans do or anything... I just think we're not used to showing we care. I think I'd like to change that the most.
  
  And there's a TON more aspects of Mexican culture that I would love to mix in with mine, but I think three is enough to tackle for now.