We moved for a Vision — and found ourselves in the Mess

Almost three years ago, we packed our life into a van — 3 kids, a cat, and a vision.
After 14 hours on the road, we arrived in the Netherlands.

Tired, anxious, full of hope.

And this is how it looked: boxes everywhere, furniture scattered, chaos in every corner.
It looked messy — because that’s exactly how we felt inside.

We had left behind everything that looked like stability:
a newly built house, family, friends, comfort, and familiarity.
All to follow something that wasn’t yet visible, but felt true.

At the time, I thought we were doing this for our kids —
to give them a better future.
But as I looked at this photo again recently, I realized something deeper:

Our children didn’t understand our vision.
They couldn’t. At 6, 4, and 1, how could they comprehend “long-term growth” or “future potential”?

To them, we took away everything that felt safe.
But what they did receive was a living example of leadership.

“They saw what it means to hold a vision when the world feels uncertain.

They saw courage and fear coexist.

They saw their parents not pretending to have it all together — but choosing to move forward anyway.”

They saw human leadership in action.

The kind I wish I had as a child.
One that allows space for fear, tears, and uncertainty — but keeps walking anyway.

Did we plan to give them that model? Not at all.
We simply tried to build a life that felt honest.

“And that honesty became the legacy.”

Reflection for leaders:
When your team looks at you — in the messy, uncertain chapters — what model do they see?
Do they see control and certainty… or belief and courage?

Because leadership isn’t about removing the mess.
It’s about walking through it — with your heart open, and your vision intact.

Love,
Laszlo