On Tuesday I had a fantastic opportunity to give back in a way that I never really anticipated. A teacher from my high school Facebook messaged me back in August, and asked me if I would ever be available to chat with the group that she advises – the National Honor Society.
So, I am the NHS adviser at Stafford, this is my second year… I love hearing about all your philosophies regarding service as a way of life. I would like you to invite you to be a guest speaker at an NHS meeting, if you are back in town on any first Tuesday of the month. I’m personally in love with spreading the news about service and how it can improve so many lives around you. Let me know if your grad schedule could accommodate us.
Obviously flattered, I immediately looked at my schedule and tried to figure out how I could potentially accommodate theirs. Of all the first Tuesdays of the month, even though I had to work, I decided to go ahead and take leave for the 8th of January.
So this date was on my calendar for months, and you know, that’s one of the things I love about keeping such a detailed calendar. You have these dates that are oftentimes just so far off into the future, but if I’m blessed enough to live to see it and still have that opportunity – it always comes. And it’s kind of cool to be able to think “man, that seemed so far off…” But now it’s days ago.
The talk that I gave to the group was pretty simple, with a theme of leadership, caring, and service. I explained to them how I become disabled and how that formed my personality. I told them about the AC4P movement and how that has shaped who I am. And I think many of them were very surprised to learn that, even though they knew I graduated from Stafford, I was only 22 years old (I’m gonna be so sad when I can’t tell people that I’m younger than they think anymore haha I think I only have 3-5 years left of that).
I told them about how important it is to keep in touch with teachers and friends who helped form who you are. I know for a fact that without many of the interactions that I’ve had with other people over the years, I wouldn’t even be half of the person that I am today.
And on that note, I also told them about how important service is to me in my everyday life and how its important for you, personally to get just as much from service as the people who you are serving do. When I’m helping other people, one of the things I really get a high from is just knowing that I am helping that person – it also makes me feel good too, good for helping this person or these people.
I encouraged them to try and position themselves to where they can see more of the benefits of their service – to not just donate canned goods, but go somewhere and use those canned goods, turn that can of tomato soup into grilled cheese and tomato soup that you can watch a homeless man eat, and feel proud in the process.
This week, my Monday really wasn’t the best day. I remember it vividly – it was long, I was tired, I was feeling pretty emotional, and I was missing Kristin a lot. But when I went to sleep late Monday night I just told myself – there’s no way that tomorrow isn’t going to better. I’m going to make it better. And luckily I was able to do that. Thanks to each of those students that I met.
After the talk, many students came up to me and told me about how my message to them was inspiring and empowering and that was my goal. I don’t always need that external confirmation but it’s nice, and I’m thankful for each of the students that just delivered a simple ‘thank you’ before they went on with the rest of the day.
A lot of my high school friends often give me a hard time for so often going back to my high school. All my teachers told me as I graduated in 2008 that I wouldn’t come back as I had planned because, as most students do, I would grow up and move onto bigger and better things. While my life has definitely become more complex and demanding in other ways, I don’t see that as an excuse or reason to forget where I came from. I didn’t dread high school like a lot of my peers did. In fact, I enjoyed it. I was pretty torn up when it came time to leave, but then I learned – you really do have to be happy with your life at whatever phase you’re in. I realized that there is no reason to, when its time to transition, move on and try new, “bigger, better” things. While it’si mportant to move on when it’s time, I think it’s even more important to always honor and pay respect to those who helped you become who you are presently.
My high school played a large part in that. I realize that for some it doesn’t. But for me it did, and I appreciate that.