My story

So this is weird… “My story”… ugh. I don’t like talking about myself. These past six months I’ve been studying abroad, and part of my MBA program has to do a lot with personal development and self-consciousness, and boy it has been hard for me. I’ve been always a call-to-action kind of guy, and if I’m busy I think I’m at my best because of my goal-driven mentality, and if I have to get my hand on the mud my adaptability and resilience will surely show up and get me through it. But all of these, even though it sounds very positive, have led me to not slow down and really reflect why I do what I do, and why I am who I am.

Ok, so first things first: I was born on a Friday: July 12th, 1991. One day after a total solar eclipse. I was supposed to burn in August, but no, always rushing to get things done.

As a kid, I just enjoyed watching but mostly playing football and basketball and many other (failed) sports. And even though my becoming a pro-athlete dream did not come true, this generated a passion in me that translates in the joy of simple things like being alive to scream-my-heart-out to one goal of my favorite teams and hug the fan(s) next to me, and why not, order a next round of beers (just saying…).

Also since little I have been working with my parents, whether doing errands or actually helping them in the family business, so this has taught me the value and dignity of hard-working people.

My mom’s extended family is from a rural part of Costa Rica, and these are the people with whom I spent my holidays and grew up. The beauty of the countryside, the smell of the (thriving) community’s coffee production, the awe to nature and the importance of family is without a doubt part of my heritage. Aren’t these the components of sustainability? Nature, people, and growth. So yeah, let’s add this to the mix: Sustainability fan.

No matter what age, I just love being surrounded by people. I get energy from the constant and different interactions with different backgrounds, lifestyles, statuses, and whatever of people. And what’s more important, I love building relationships with people. There’s this urban myth about psychologists saying that if you have been friends with people for more than 7 years it means they’ll be your friends always… well if there’s one thing I feel really proud about is that my quantity and quality of 7+ years friendships are quite high and steady.

Family is one of the top ingredients of who I am. Ramírez Sandí. Dad and Mom. Loving, caring, selfless. Through thick and thin. And right now just looking forward to replicating this example with Sol, the love of my life, while we form a family of our own.

Last but more importantly, my faith. God shapes so much around me: my pursuit for excellence, my love for the neighbor, the giving back, the good stewardship towards my resources (nature, people, money, job) and hope. One of my favorite quotes ever is: “ What oxygen is to the lungs, such is hope to the meaning of life” (Emil Brunner), and I think is one of the things I try to keep on my mind every day. If I don’t ever think things can get better, I lost track of what I’ve been doing. If I don’t think my God (call it whatever you want, I’ll call him Jesus) can use me for whatever he wants to make better around me, then forget it, it’s game over.

So, summarizing: I love purpose in my life. Whether it is trough work, relationships, simpleness, sustainability, joy, and/or hope, these factors and huge pillars of making me who I am today, and I’m pretty sure they’ll help me advance in the next of my life steps.

-Charlie!

P.S. Let’s not forget that I love music, and this also shapes who I am, but’s that’s another topic I’ll share later what songs that have impacted me through my years.