I wanted to join join the peace corp when I was about 21. I wouldnt go so far as to say she discouraged me, but she didnt encourage me. I remember it like it was yesterday. My mother reminded me that I didnt have to hop in a plane and cross an ocean to help people. I have a neighbor w cancer across the street. I have a mentally retarded uncle who is lonely. I had a great grandmother in a nursing home. And a family home that was in need of repainting. If my want was to help strangers, I only had to drive fifteen minutes from my home to skid row and I would meet some of the most needy folks in existence and a handful of volunteers trying to help them all. Wouldnt your efforts be better put to use in your own community? She asked. Is this about helping others or finding yourself, because I know you know who you are and traveling 2k miles away, to find yourself seems unnecessary. just look in a mirror. Are you who you want to be? Get that sorted out now, because the world needs you and doesnt have time for you to find yourself. You didnt loose yourself, and we already know you are talented, smart, compassionate and a fighter, cant you discover the rest along the way? Perhaps you need to spend time discovering who you are NOT. but we already know you are not an Indian, an Ethiopian, a Bosnian. Theres enough sadness and ugliness in the world to see in 100 lifetimes. I would rather you travel afar to study art and music, or the beauty of other cultures. Do your real work at home, where I can support you and your family can help brush the dirt from your forehead so that you can head back out to dig back in tomorrow. Perhaps there is less glory in it but are you in it for glory? #goodmom always made sure I understood the bigger! important ideas.
Posted on: Sat, 28 Jun 2014 17:33:22 +0000
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