Springing Towards the End

    With May just around the bend, it’s surreal to see our volunteer year heading into its final few months.  For the Washington Heights community, the last few months have been a whirlwind of hectic schedules and big decision-making.  After numerous trips all over the Midwest and East Coast for graduate school interviews, and being accepted to pretty much all of them, our beloved Christian (aka Papa Chan) has finally made his decision to study at *SPOILER ALERT!* George Washington University in the fall! Kylie and I are so remarkably proud of the long hours he has devoted to organizing and finishing up all of those grad school applications, planning and scheduling interviews (everywhere from Chicago to Rochester), AND still finding the time to be fully dedicated and present at his volunteer placement AND to our community. Impressive indeed. 

Sunday Funday in Central Park

Speaking of impressive, if there is one person in this world who has been lifted by her service and continues to lift me every day, it would be the lovely Kylie. So, it came as no real surprise when she decided to accept another volunteer year at MS 118. I know that she will continue to, with an open and caring heart, challenge herself in fulfilling the mission of GSV.  I am continually inspired by Kylie’s passion and her never-ending commitment to social justice through youth empowerment. When I was placed at MS 447 in August, I was undeniably outside of my comfort zone; the majority of my volunteer experience had been with older populations. Truth be told, middle school students intimidated the crap out of me. Having Kylie in community has been the ultimate blessing and no one could have helped me more in truly appreciating (and absolutely adoring) those little munchkins.  

And as for this Michigander turned northern Californian turned New Yorker, I am sincerely grateful for and treasure everything about the service that I am doing. I have gained extensive administrative and leadership skills working with adolescents at MS 447. But what I have personally gained, more than anything, is a deeper passion for building one-on-one relationships while creating a supportive environment of personal growth and understanding for each student.  That being said, I might be getting ready to wrap up my volunteer year with GSV, but I am definitely not ready to move away from my agency, Good Shepherd Services. After many insightful chats with former volunteers turned GSS employees, community members, and loved ones, I applied for and was accepted as an Advocate Counselor at a new high school in downtown Brooklyn.

And so, with each day that New York City blooms with cherry blossoms and camera-clad tourists, the Washington Heights community blooms with enthusiasm for the future and a bittersweet willingness to soak up everything that this remarkable year has offered and continues to offer us.  As Dave Matthews sings, “The future is no place to place your better days.”  We all have a lot to look forward to, but we must remain present to the beauty of each unfolding moment…yes, even the moments of frustration when our toilet breaks and we’re rushing to any open restaurant/bar before it closes to take care of business! 

Finally, in preparation for the GSV Spirituality Retreat next week, I’m wrappin’ up this little entry with one of my favorite prose poems by the poignant Max Ehrmann (holy alliteration, Batman!):

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender,be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant;they too have their story.Avoid loud and aggressive persons;they are vexatious to the spirit. 

If you compare yourself with others,you may become vain or bitter,for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals,and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
 

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.  You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him/Her to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Be happy, dear ones. I certainly am.

 Just love.

-Kat