Growing up in Taiwan, I've always looked to the day that I'd visit America. My mother would go on trips in the states and bring me a gift when she returned home. To me, those toys had more significant meanings - they invoked curiosity, betterment, and freedom. And at age 17, that freedom of moving to the USA sounded pretty damn good.

My story would not be complete without mentioning my experience with mental health struggles and substance abuse. So a rebel at heart, I've found fast friends in this less conservative continent. But I've also gotten into a lot of trouble.

See, people don't know what to do with you when you are different - a little bit "too" spirited, some would say. When you are a child or an adolescent, one of the worst things you can do is break down their spirit, whether done consciously or not. So at age 17, I found myself sinking into my own world, one that was fueled with parties and drugs.

It wasn't until 7 years later that I discovered nature's healing when I set my foot in Hawaii. Bit by bit, the beauty of the world tapped into my soul and spoke to me. I began to take off the armor I'd had to put on to survive a challenging childhood. Bit by bit, I started to come home to myself.

I never thought I'd found a business; I'd say the business found me. It was as if I had been preparing for this journey all these years. My experience taught me strength, persistence, and to think outside the box.

The land herself has taught me beauty, kindness, unconditional love, compassion, and community. Our place is called Forest & Flour because the forest is an ever-evolving ecosystem. And each tree, plant, animal, and bring their unique gifts to thrive together.

The forest taught me that we carry beauty and purpose within each of us, and we are stronger in community. 

在台湾长大，我一直期待着有一天我会访问美国。我的母亲会去美国旅行，回家时会给我带回礼物。对我来说，这些玩具有更重要的意义——它们唤起了好奇心、对进步和自由的向往。在 17 岁的时候，搬到美国享受自由听起来非常美好。

如果不提及我在心理健康的挣扎和药物滥用方面的经历，我的故事就不会完整。我内心是个叛逆者，在这个不那么保守的美洲大陆上很交到了朋友。但我也遇到了很多麻烦。

看，当你与众不同时，人们不知道该怎么对待你——有些人会说，有点“太”调皮了。当我们还是孩子或青少年时，人们能做的最糟糕的事情之一就是破坏他们的灵性，无论是否有意识地这样做。所以在 17 岁时，我发现自己陷入了自己的世界，一个充满派对和毒品的世界。

直到 7 年后，当我踏上夏威夷海岛时，我才发现大自然的疗愈作用。一点一滴，世界的美丽浸入我的灵魂，和我对话。我开始脱下为了度过充满挑战的童年而必须穿上的盔甲。一点一点，我开始回到自己内心的家。

我从没想过我会创立公司；我会说公司创造了我。好像这些年来我一直在为这个旅程做准备。我的经历教会了我力量、坚持和跳出框框思考。

这片土地教会了我美丽、善良、无条件的爱、同情心和社区。我们的空间被称为 Forest & Flour，因为森林是一个不断发展的生态系统。每一棵树、植物、动物，都带着他们独特的天赋一起茁壮成长。

森林告诉我，我们每个人都带着美丽和目标，而且我们在社区中更强大。