Sometimes, when you follow your heart, things happen that you could never have planned. You meet exactly the people you need to make a real impact. I still remember clearly how, during a Young Leader Expedition, I took a moment to rest. For two nights, I had barely slept to ensure that all 18 volunteers arrived safely in Hoedspruit, South Africa. While they were on an excursion, I decided to take a break on the stone ground in front of the Reserve’s office.
Suddenly, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. I opened my eyes and saw a friendly man standing there: the Reserve’s general manager. He laughed and asked why I was lying on the ground. I had to laugh quietly and I thought: “This must be meant to be“. We started talking. I told him about our plans to support the local community and our vision for the project’s future.
We got into a conversation. I told him about our plans to support the local community and our vision for the project’s future. To my surprise, he invited me to stay at his house for a while to sleep and rest.
During that conversation, he said something I never expected. He knew someone who had the same mission as we have. A person who would exactly help to make our plans a reality. Not knowing that this person was Barrie, now our Director of BOOST The World Africa and the key pillar of everything we do there. From the moment I met him, it became clear how essential he would be for our projects.
What this moment taught me is something I would like to share: when you are aligned with your heart and follow your spirit, you naturally meet the right people. Especially at moments when you least expect it, or don’t plan it. The universe, or whatever you want to call it, puts you on the path of those who can strengthen your mission.
Trusting your heart does not mean that it is always easy. It means that you dare to listen, to step into the unknown, and to be open to the people and opportunities that come your way. It takes you exactly where you need to be – often in ways you could never have imagined.
So my call to you: listen to your heart. Follow that calling, even if it feels scary or uncertain. Because when you do, something magical can happen: you connect with people who share your vision, you build impact, and you discover that you are never alone on your path.
With love,
Rosanne van Zalingen
Founder of BOOST The World Foundation
