I’ve had the privilege to travel to various places around the world in my years on this earth.

But there’s one experience in particular that still resonates with me.

When the doors opened for U.S. citizens to visit Cuba in 2016/2017, I made sure I didn’t miss the opportunity to explore new land. I was curious about the beaches, the rum, the locals and wanted to meet up with friends.

I didn’t think too much about what the society would look or feel like.

The beachfront resort life was wild. I got drunk with Canadians and lost my phone the first night. Then I sliced my foot open walking between hotels and had to use my friend’s Boarding Pass to get Medical Services. All before we even hit the streets of Havana!

The only connection to the outside world was a pre-paid dial-up internet service that was hit or miss. Without my phone, I couldn’t take photos or get word to my partner about what happened.

The mindset switch occurred after discovering and attending an art gallery in the “hip” local scene of Havana. I met artists and locals who opened up to me and we had real conversations. Some of them asked me about American “celebrities” such as Britney Spears and N’SYNC, while others described to me their careers in the medical field.

One person I spoke with shared that his life dream was “to visit Kentucky”.

I laughed “why Kentucky? for Fried Chicken?”

He replied “I have family there and it’s the only place I know”.

Amongst the people and conversations I had that night, I realized there were two different frames of mind to operate from.

• One being that we accept the lives we’ve been given, blissfully unaware of the world around us.

• The other being a new realm of possibilities, dreams, and manifestations that exist outside of our daily lives.

I really hope and pray he made it to Kentucky.