Engage!

The aim of life is to live,
and to live means to be aware,
joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware.-Henry Miller

Your life is an occasion. Rise to it.

"When King Lear dies in Act 5, do you know what Shakespeare has written? He's written, "He dies." That's all, nothing more. No fanfare, no metaphor, no brilliant final words. The culmination of the most influential work of dramatic literature is: "He dies. 

It takes Shakespeare, a genius, to come up with "He dies. " And yet every time I read those two words, I find myself overwhelmed with dysphoria. And I know it's only natural to be sad, but not because of the words "He dies," but because of the life we saw prior to the words.

I've lived all five of my acts, Mahoney, and I am not asking you to be happy that I must go. I'm only asking that you turn the page, continue reading... and let the next story begin.

And if anyone ever asks what became of me, you relate my life in all its wonder, and end it with a simple and modest "He died. "

I love you.

Your life is an occasion. Rise to it."

I am AmeriCorps...

I originally wrote this as a piece of self-reflection but decided to share it here: 
AmeriCorps National*Direct. These three words follow my title of Site Coordinator on my e-mail signature and on my business cards, I rarely take the time to reflect on what it means to me and the work I am doing. As a Site Coordinator at LIFT, I spend a lot of time sharing Why I LIFT and what this organization means to me and those I serve, but those other 3 words they don't get the attention they deserve.

I guess looking at it one way, LIFT is my AmeriCorps experience. I was never tied in to AmeriCorps the way my other friends were, through events like pre-service orientation and gatherings of AmeriCorps volunteers and to be honest over the last year that part of my service experience generally faded to the back burner. I was a LIFT Site Coordinator and AmeriCorps was just how I got there.

However, in February the very idea of AmeriCorps was threatened as the US House was drafting a budget that completely removed the program from the American landscape, the very idea of service was threatened and what AmeriCorps meant to me and the greater nation became ever more apparent. Then in March, I had the distinct honor to sit in a room with John Gomperts, the current Direct of AmeriCorps State and National programs, along with the rest of the LIFT team. I left that meeting more inspired that I have found myself after months of a long and imprisoning winter. Hearing the vision from the top of the organization and what inspired him to a life of service really helped propel me forward.

AmeriCorps has changed my life and, as cheesy as it sounds, this statement is unbelievably true. An intensive service experience was always an idea at the back of my head, something I wanted to pursue after college, though at the time I never really had a clear reason to do so. However, I took a chance as I figured the time in my life to act on this was now and then I found AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps allowed this idea of mine to be a reality and immersed me in a culture of service and giving with a support network spread nationwide. AmeriCorps let me connect with organizations that matched my passion and ultimately introduced me to an organization I absolutely love. Without AmeriCorps none of this would have been possible, to be honest I have no idea where I would be at this point.

Service is one of those give and take experience. It's the cliche phrase that rings so true: you often get way more out of service than what you put in to it. It's hard to put in to words everything I have learned this year but I will hit on a few moments that really capture my AmeriCorps experience and hopefully provide some advice to those considering a year (of two) of service:

• Everyone has a story. Listen for it, it's there. My term of service involves working in a social service resource center of sorts. I listen to individuals tell their story, a lot, and some days it may be all I accomplish. However, it is usually on these days I feel the most inspired and motivated behind what I do. I have learned more by listening to those I serve than I ever thought possible and I know most AmeriCorps members share similar sentiments. In our world we often find ourselves talking way more than we listen, I have been fortunate to learn how much more is accomplished when you take the other approach. 
• You are a part of something bigger than yourself. It is easy to get caught up in the details during your term of service or just whatever work you are doing in general, so much is happening out there on the ground and sometimes in the day to day it may seem near impossible to realize your impact and why what you are doing matters at all. Keep the big picture in mind - the mission and vision of my organization is kept constantly in my view, it helps every once and a while to glance at it and give me a pick me up for the day. It helps me remember that I am combating poverty and expanding opportunity each and every day. 
• Hope can be found in the most unlikely places. I'll let this one speak for itself. It always comes when you least expect it. 
• Reflect and grow. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity in one way or another. Soak it all in and learn as much as you can. Check yourself if you find you are just going through the motions, in one way or another you should be growing, even if it is just to grow to find out you hate the work you are doing. Soak up the knowledge, take it all in and allow it to propel you on whatever career path you choose, the experience you can gain in a year or two is hard to replicate. 
• Make an impact. At the end of it all you should be able to walk away, turn around and say I did that. Leave you mark, your time may be limited but your impact does not have to be. All in all leave the organization in a better place than when you started, any small act can accomplish that. 

As I get ready to propelcollapsing there on the spot. But the experience AmeriCorps provides for myself and thousands of other individuals each year is unmatched and for that I am happy to tell anyone I encounter that I am AmeriCorps. 

Yours in service. 

Some Inspirational Speeches...

So I may have stayed up until 3AM last night watching The 10 Most Viewed Commencement Speeches in the History of YouTube which proved beyond inspiring and motivating, something I definitely needed going in to this summer. It provided the pick me up I needed to charge ahead and make a huge impact at work this summer and in my personal life as I prepare to take the GRE in August and make the decision of I do next; grad school or otherwise.

I recommend 3 out of the 10 that I found most inspiring/enjoyable. All 3 speakers were highly engaging and great story tellers:
Meryl Streep, Barnard Commencement Speaker 2010, Columbia University

Lisa Kudrow's address to the graduating class of 2010 at Vassar

And Oprah's 2008 Stanford Commencement Address 

Enjoy! 

A well timed e-mail.

 Everything you want is out there
waiting for you to ask.
Everything you want also wants you.
But you have to take action to get it.-Jules Renard

"Lots of ripplers are graduating: some from high school, others from college, and still others are moving on in other ways: new jobs, weddings, etc.

No doubt about it: times are tough and some of you are beginning new chapters with more fear and frustration than you want. I wish I could wave a wand and make it better, but unfortunately I don't have a wand (note to self: purchase wand).

Instead, I'm going to remind you that some times we are waiting around until we feel better so we can take action when what we COULD do is jump in and take action so we feel better. I cannot guarantee you will succeed at everything you attempt this week, but I am confident that you will move forward even if you don't make it to the finish line.

On your mark, get set, GO GET IT!
Peace,
Paul"


I subscribe to the Ripples Project, weekly inspirational e-mails on Monday mornings, a great way to start your week and get your day off to the right start. I've been having a pretty rough time these past few days being overwhelmed with negative situations and work and in my personal life. This e-mail could not be more perfect for me and I wanted to share it with anyone else out there who could use a touch of inspiration to power through the week or whatever you may be going through in your life. 


Also, if you have yet to do so I would highly recommend you subscribe to his weekly e-mails. 

Peace out! 

In need of direction

"Isn't it the moment of most profound doubt that gives birth to new certainties? Perhaps hopelessness is the very soil that nourishes human hope; perhaps one could never find sense in life without first experiencing its absurdity."
- Vaclav Havel

"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that"