Get to know Rachel:

What’s one thing you absolutely want to do before you die?

Before I die, I want to be able to see the ancient ruins at Pompeii. I absolutely love learning new things, especially about history. 

What book changed the way you see and understand the world? 

“The Book of Joy” by Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama, and Douglas Abrams. It gave me a whole new perspective on life and being positive and bringing joy even when the glass really feels half empty. My favorite quote from the book is “Whatever life gives you, you can respond with joy.  Joy is the happiness that does not depend on what happens. It is the grateful response to the opportunity that life offers you in the moment.”

If you had one extra hour of free time a day, how would you use it?

I would read or paint. I recently got back into reading and painting brings me so much peace even if they don’t always turn out the way I imagined.