My middle school, like many, had an end-of-year ritual of signing each other's yearbooks. This exercise was particularly meaningful in an international school where I studied, since families often moved during the summer. I vividly recall reading “Never Change” messages splashed all over my pages with much affection.

However, if I’d go through a similar yearbook ritual in my forties, “Always Change” would replace “Never Change.” It’s in that constant state of becoming (and unbecoming) that I’ve found the beauty in and richness of life, and yes, sometimes the struggle. It's by saying “Yes!” to new experiences that test my limits, assumptions and beliefs, where I’ve seen more glimpses of my essential self; not infrequently, those glimpses have surprised me. 

I internalized my own evolution recently at MEA, when I returned to a workshop 18 months after my initial one. While the content was similar, I felt different. I showed up differently. The outcome and insights were different. Yes, sometimes iterative, but not repetitive. And always pointing towards a mindset of greater growth, abundance and wonder. 

I have deeply-held core values, such as Integrity, that help ground me. But, rather than focusing on building a “personal brand” that feels confining, I’m instead re-committing to surrender and to remain open and awake to what unfolds. I choose to embrace a winding versus linear life, and the messiness and splendor that comes with it. 

-Gabriela

Together with her husband Taylor, Gabriela Gonzalez Bux co-founded Tango, an AI-powered travel company that designs and books hyper-personalized trips with intention. She’s passionate about designing peak experiences that integrate tech with human touch. Raised in Puerto Rico and Bangkok, she currently lives in Northern California.