Six years ago I attended Women Delivery in Malaysia. Many parts of my life looked really different. Today, I have looked with long glances at my life. I am working in global health after years of wanting it. I was not working in this topic when I attended before.

Today, I talked with a young Zambian activist supporting mental health education. I learned about Nepalese programs teaching young women with cognitive disabilities and their caretakers about menstruation. I heard from youth in Uganda, Kenya, and Indonesia discussing pleasure in sexual education. I watched a movie about a Muslim woman living in Denmark leading women only prayers. I attended a session on community derived economic development in Colombia and Guatemala. I learned about a menstrual education and storytelling project for and by young women in Jordan. I also heard how big companies can actually support social change. I was surprised, and I might be wrong. But I am better for hearing it.

I think connecting to community matters. Staying connected to stay sane as part of the work.

I talked about how long good work takes things and how much patience is required with the colleagues from Guatemala and Colombia. I realized that I, too, have a superhero complex that needs be managed. It is better if I remember that working with other people is how the work goes deeper and lasts longer as frustrating as it can feel.