Our March box is about connecting with people in your life that you might not immediately have a reason to click with.
When we met an amazing woman, Sara Almerri, it was immediately clear that she possessed a rare compassion and energy that drew people to her and helped them connect with each other. We were fascinated, and compelled to find out more.
While Sara herself was born and raised in England and now lives in the USA, her extended family includes people from Brazil, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia and Ireland. This isn’t her distant heritage, but the intricacies of how her family operates today. Her mother was Brazilian and her father has deep ancestral roots in England. A somewhat uncommon pairing! She has moved amongst international royalty as comfortably as connecting with the less fortunate. She credits much of her ability to connect with a wide spectrum of people to the upbringing her mother provided.
Aymii: How do you walk into a group of diverse people and immediately feel comfortable talking to any one of them?
Sara:
People enjoy someone’s interest in them and their lifestyle. Once you’re able to communicate that, you draw them in. Everyone likes to be respected, admired and understood. When you show them interest and respect - your physical energy and can communicate that - it’s half the battle won.
Aymii: What were your biggest influences in getting comfortable doing this?
Sara:
As early as 4-years-old I realized I was very fortunate to have the tools and instruments to help others. My mother taught me never to judge just by what’s on the surface along with the ability to step back. She often quoted Rudyard Kipling who said, “You need to be able to speak with kings and beggars with the same humility.”
Aymii: Throughout all of your travels and adventures, what are some things you’ve learned that you couldn’t have picked up from a book?
Sara:
Never underestimate the influence of someone’s culture. Learn to appreciate and value the nuances that exist. No matter how alien it may seem to you, it often feels right for the people who live it. Once you respect - you may not understand - but once you respect other cultures, it breeds a sense of tolerance and acceptance. It may not be what you think is right, but you can still see how people derive happiness in those worlds. As a very young child it piqued an interest in me. I wanted to pursue anthropology to understand why we criticize others rather than appreciating the happiness and peace that exists in those communities. (Aymii’s note - Sara is a lawyer, not an anthropologist, but still uses these skills extensively in her life.)
To read more about Sara’s unique life and find out about one cultural conversation shocked her to the core, join ENSOMA and check out our exclusive member materials and upcoming March box (which includes international items that reflect Sara’s life influences).
Be kind to yourself,
Aymii
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