Pushing, pulling, and getting out of the way.

I’ve always wondered why the best things in life are so hard. I’m not talking about a simple investment of x amount of energy; you should expect y amount of outcome. No, I am talking about the hard that pushes oneself to extremes, the pushing that makes you want to give up.

This work, tackling a big, gnarly, complex challenge, is super hard. Some days, I feel like I am pushing the rock up a hill; other days, I feel like I am pulling rocks with all my might. If I have learned one thing in these many years, hard is good. Lean into hard. Give up on your picture of success or the perfect outcome.

Our unwavering focus is on building a world where every child can access a life built on health, hope, home, and purpose. We understand that to create such a world, we must think beyond the present. We need to shape an impact that not only supports children, families, and child welfare providers today but also paves the way for a brighter future.

This is why HBI’s work—through our newborn resuscitation training program, Casa Girasoles, and Communities of Excellence—seeks to integrate effective (evidence-based) support for the here and now and craft models that can be scaled and reproduced. Many of our efforts are about pushing and pulling, but soon enough, we will need to change our focus, get out of the way, and let the next generation take over.

What a true privilege it is to be involved in this hard work. I can’t imagine doing anything else with my life.