Mastatal, Moms, and Mindset
I always find it astounding how quickly my perspective can alter due to changing circumstances, new opportunities, and simple conversation. This past March, I spent my time in Mastatal (no surprise there), but things were a bit different this time around…
My role took me outside of the gates of Rancho Mastatal for the majority of my time. Through the Marion Institute and Mastate Charitable Foundation, my role was focused on a film project designed to raise funds and awareness for the big Community Learning and Sharing Center (CLSC) project that is underway. This is a project that has taken years to really gain steam and move forward, but real progress is happening.
For me, the real importance of this whole thing hit me when my good friend Britt and I strolled through town last year, making house visits to invite community members to a local meeting about the project. The response was remarkable and overwhelming. And the project really started to become a cooperative project for Mastatal by the people of Mastatal. It wouldn’t make a lot of sense any other way. Will there be gringo hands involved in its construction and implementation? Sure there will. However, the project’s control, purpose, and ultimate importance remain in the hands of the most beautiful community I have ever gotten to know.
This March, largely because of the faith of a great friend (and mind), I was able to make a last-minute trip to Mastatal to ingrain myself a bit deeper into the CLSC. Desa and I, with the help of friends old (Tyler) and new (Tiago), spent all of our mornings and most afternoons passing by yipping mutts as people welcomed us into their homes. Most were willing to be part of the film project in hopes of being part of the funding process that could make something like the CLSC become reality. And the themes of most interviews took on a similar (though unplanned) theme: hope, hard work, family, and tranquility.
Furthermore, the responses to our visits were almost all the same: “thank you for the company.” And, with these things in mind, my perspective on all things is once again humbled by a wonderful collection of people.
I look back to the last thing my mother ever communicated to me… “Brian, strive for more.” And I realize that she pushed me toward the following things over all else: hope, hard work, family, good company, and peace. Striving for more sometimes means finding happiness in the things we already knew were important… some of us just need to work to get to that realization I guess. Simplicity wins again.
The first video is done. I will share it soon, and I hope you’ll give it a glance. In the meantime, Mother’s Day is fast approaching… please take a minute to show some appreciation for your mother, for all the female influences in your life, and for everyone who changes your perspective in a positive way.
