Why She Unplugged: "Even though I feel I have had a very full life with 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, a successful career and a marriage that lasted 51 years, I knew full well there was something else out there for me." Having just turned 81, Darlene maintains that same spirit today!

How She Unplugged: Darlene joined a 12 week program with Cross Cultural Solutions, a volunteer organization specializing in meaningful cultural travel experiences. For much of her time in Costa Rica, she worked at an orphanage.

Best Experience: While Darlene shared many special moments with the children, this story in particular stands out: "Daniel and his sister were brought in from the hospital by the Red Cross where they were badly mistreated by their family.  Daniel really knows how to give a meaningful hug.  He drew a picture just for me.  He wrote in Spanish, 'I love you, tourist.'   We were either a teacher or a tourist as he saw us.  He got in trouble one day over a pair of sunglasses and was sent to his room.  He tore up his room in anger.  They asked me to go back and see it but leave him alone until he calmed down.  I slipped back in a few minutes later, sat on his bed and we were both crying and hugging.  He looked up at my tears and I could tell in his eyes that I was probably one of the few people in his life that cried for him."

Challenges: Living on a fixed income means that Darlene has to carefully plan her trips...but she knows the cost is returned more than tenfold by the joy she experiences as she connects with these children.

What We Can Learn from Darlene: Age is a state of mind! Darlene is gearing up for her next trip with CCS, this time to Thailand for six weeks. (See Resources for a link to CCS.)

You can read more stories like Darlene's in the book, Unplugged: How to Disconnect from the Rat Race, Have an Existential Crisis, and Find Meaning and Fulfillment, available in all bookstores and on Amazon.com.

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