As I write this post on World Food Day, I can’t help but reflect on my journey to this moment. A trip to Liberia to build a bridge for a village; an unplanned stop at a clinic treating children who were suffering from severe acute malnutrition; a crazy idea with Todd, Kristen, and Ravi to start a giveback food company; an even crazier idea to name it ‘This Saves Lives’; a career change; getting married; having a child; taking trips to Haiti; adopting a child; sending millions of packets of food aid to kids around the world; creating The Table; meeting you here in this moment. Wow. Fifteen years ago, I couldn’t have predicted a single one of those things. Fifteen years ago, I was pretty unhappy as it turns out. But today I’m deeply happy. What has changed? Do I have more money? No, I have less. Do I have less stress? No, I have more. Do I have purpose, community, and love? In spades. And that, as it turns out, is the key to happiness.

Studies show that being part of something that’s bigger than oneself, and especially something with purpose, is the real key to happiness. That’s probably worth stating again because it’s pretty profound. Social scientists have found the formula for happiness, and it goes like this: Community + Purpose = Happiness. Wait—I don’t have to be rich or powerful or take a trip to space with Jeff Bezos in order to be deeply happy? You sure don’t. In fact, often times that stuff can get in the way. Purpose and community, that’s what it’s all about. 

I’m so grateful you’ve joined me at The Table, and I can’t wait to share this journey with you. I’d love to connect as well – so feel free to shoot me a note at ryan@thissaveslives.com, which is my personal email. It might take me a minute, but I’ll get back to ya. And in the meantime, I just want to thank you again for being here. Please spread the word about The Table if you can – the more impact we can have, the more happiness we can spread, the better the world will be.

Much love,