Like... wow.
I'm still processing life. I mean, I guess on some level, we're always processing life, but there are certain times things just seem to shift into a clearer focus, and right now I feel like I'm looking around with this amazing clarity, and that's just a bit overwhelming.
Last week, I had the privileged of accompanying nine students on a week long service trip to New Orleans. We worked with an organization called Project Lazarus. It's a a residential facility for people how are HIV+ or have AIDS and have no means to provide for independent living and care. I wish I could convey the depth of connection we were able to make with the people we were working with and the issues surrounding their lives in a simple blog post, but it's just not possible. To put it simply, it was a life-changing experience; inspirational and disheartening, uplifting and infuriating - all kinds of deep and meaningful juxtapositions. You get the picture.
I am so blessed in life, and I realize now more than ever that it is a disservice to myself to not to really strive to make the most out of what I have. I can be comfortable and content, but how does that help the world?
Now, I'm not talking about quitting my job and moving down to New Orleans to try and fix all the problems we encountered (though I've thought about it). I'm talking about doing what I can in my sphere of influence. What can I do to be a better person? What can I do to help those around me be better people? It's a whole can of worms.
So I'm processing. I'm feeling guilty about certain aspects of my life, but in a good way. I'm considering what I can do to be a more open and influencing person. And I'm trying to be cognizant of not turning this into some kind of selfish, self-serving venture... which, I'll be honest, this blog post kinda smacks of. Still, I'm getting grief for not updating, and I just feel like I should put out there what it is that's running through my mind.
Oh, and I have a crush. A real, legitimate crush. Something I haven't experienced in eight years, and it's freaking the hell out of me. Again, probably because I'm finally opening up a bit? I'm not sure. Sadly, it will just have to stay in the crush stage, as it's virtually unobtainable, but the emotional kick behind it is proving to be very motivational, energizing, and oddly, rejuvenating - all while sucking majorly and making me lament the loss of my cold, shriveled, and walled-off heart.
So yeah. Life is amazing.
Last week, I had the privileged of accompanying nine students on a week long service trip to New Orleans. We worked with an organization called Project Lazarus. It's a a residential facility for people how are HIV+ or have AIDS and have no means to provide for independent living and care. I wish I could convey the depth of connection we were able to make with the people we were working with and the issues surrounding their lives in a simple blog post, but it's just not possible. To put it simply, it was a life-changing experience; inspirational and disheartening, uplifting and infuriating - all kinds of deep and meaningful juxtapositions. You get the picture.
I am so blessed in life, and I realize now more than ever that it is a disservice to myself to not to really strive to make the most out of what I have. I can be comfortable and content, but how does that help the world?
Now, I'm not talking about quitting my job and moving down to New Orleans to try and fix all the problems we encountered (though I've thought about it). I'm talking about doing what I can in my sphere of influence. What can I do to be a better person? What can I do to help those around me be better people? It's a whole can of worms.
So I'm processing. I'm feeling guilty about certain aspects of my life, but in a good way. I'm considering what I can do to be a more open and influencing person. And I'm trying to be cognizant of not turning this into some kind of selfish, self-serving venture... which, I'll be honest, this blog post kinda smacks of. Still, I'm getting grief for not updating, and I just feel like I should put out there what it is that's running through my mind.
Oh, and I have a crush. A real, legitimate crush. Something I haven't experienced in eight years, and it's freaking the hell out of me. Again, probably because I'm finally opening up a bit? I'm not sure. Sadly, it will just have to stay in the crush stage, as it's virtually unobtainable, but the emotional kick behind it is proving to be very motivational, energizing, and oddly, rejuvenating - all while sucking majorly and making me lament the loss of my cold, shriveled, and walled-off heart.
So yeah. Life is amazing.