Stay Humble

My First Khmer Dinner with the Saur Family: An Unbelievable Story and an Insight That Leaves Me Filled with Hope

Happy Friday, friends!

This one's going to be a good one, so buckle up! Remember to complete the meditation and journal prompts below to fully immerse yourself in the Soulful Reflections experience.

This week has been nothing less than humbling. I had the honor of being part of my friend Laura’s Khmer family dinner, an experience that allowed me to not only enjoy a wonderful meal but also to learn more about her parents' incredible and, quite frankly, unfathomable life journey. Their story is one of immense resilience—having survived a war before arriving in the United States, learning a new language, and raising four children while both working full-time and pursuing their education. All the while, they arrived with nothing but the clothes on their backs, unsure of where they would live, sleep, or find their next meal.

What struck me most was the love they have for their children and their overwhelming gratitude just to be alive. I watched as Laura's parents lit up with joy when she shared stories of her recent travels to Italy and the life she has created for herself. It was as if her laughter, coming from the depths of her soul, brought them a sense of peace and pride—a quiet affirmation of their hard work and sacrifices, a moment of, "Look what we have created!"

As much as I would love to share their full story, knowing it would leave anyone in awe of their perseverance, I recognize that it is not my story to tell. However, their journey left me reflecting deeply on my own life, the lives of my family and close friends, and the people I’ve had the privilege to coach.

I couldn’t help but feel a profound sadness when thinking about the anxieties and traumas that burden so many today, especially our children. The contrast between their struggles and the unimaginable hardships that Laura’s parents endured brought me a wave of disappointment—disappointment in how easily we can get caught up in fears that, in the grand scheme of things, seem so small.

Many of us, myself included, have no true understanding of what it means to carry the weight of such pain and suffering. To live in faith and sorrow every day because you have no other choice, holding on to nothing but the hope that freedom and better days will come. And yet, we often allow ourselves to be consumed by worries that pale in comparison to the struggles faced by others around the world.