Our Job is to Stay Planted - episode 80
Next up in our Mahalo Maui series is a young woman who is a friend of a friend. Maria Hilman. She had a little nudge long ago that became a dream coming true. Her faith guides who she is and how she moves forward. Maria has a grateful heart and a song in her voice. Check it out. It’s a gift.
So what did I learn from Maria? Primarily how unabashed she is about her faith. I can appreciate anyone who has strong convictions especially as they lead her forward into places she didn’t know existed. Very cool for sure. Also the importance of saying yes to the opportunities that come your way. Look where they can lead. You just never know.
Authentic. Deep. Outgoing.
— Maria Hilman
“Football is Life”
Thoughts from Our Job is to Stay Planted
Of course I got the biggest kick out of Maria sharing Dani Rojas is her favorite character from the Ted Lasso TV series. I have to admit his enthusiasm brings me a lot of joy. I think it’s his smile too - it’s infectious! I remember I was starting to keep the various players straight in mind during the first season, and in episode 6 they brought in this new character, Dani Rojas. Oh no, I thought. Not a new person to keep track of! My hesitancy was very short-lived because like Maria, it’s impossible not to fall for Dani’s passion, his heart for this thing (football/soccer) that is his life.
And I think that’s the point. To love something so much that you give it your all. You are dedicated, you work hard even when you don’t feel like it. You practice, practice and then practice some more. You take your skills and apply them in the best way you know how. Hopefully you win but even if you don’t you are ready the next day to do it all over again. Because you have to. You get to. Do you have something like that? Something that excites you morning, noon and night? Maybe you have cultivated more than one thing to inspire you to go through life with a big smile and to share your gift like no one else can.
Remember you are one of a kind. Without equal. No one else can do what you do or be who you are. And we need you to share the thing so we will all be better off because you are you.
“I like to give away joy for free.” — Dani Rojas
Let’s pretend this is a young Dani Rojas learning all the positions of the sport. I don’t have copyright permission to use the “real” images. 😂
