A Short Thought on Impact
Earlier tonight, our small groups met and discussed what sort of impact we would like to have on others on the trip, in the area we are working in, and also back home once the trip is over. It’s a tough question in a lot of ways, and it definitely made me think about a lot of the issues I’ve faced this week.
For one, this is my first official trip as a full leader. Because of this newfound status, I’ve been thinking about what mark I want to leave on the others on the trip for a while. I probably thought a bit too hard about what attitude I wanted to have, because the second the trip started I just started being myself, in the purest sense of self I know. I’ve said it many times before, but I feel more at home and at peace during this trip than pretty much any other time. It’s been my natural high for eight summers as I recharge the batteries before facing the real world once again.
But impact… it’s a strong word. And leaving a mark sounds so… permanent. It’s hard for me sometimes to grasp what a massive effect one person can have, but as time goes by I definitely have begun to see the importance of making that impact a good one. We all lead lives that are difficult in their own way, so the simplicity of being good can cut through the trials and tribulations pretty effectively.
Just a short thought on this long day. Was once again confined to The Sauna, where my little team is leaving its mark in big ways and making a pretty amazing impact, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Tomorrow is our last day on the worksite, which is always bittersweet. I’m trying to soak in as much of the week as I can, and I hope to write a more comprehensive piece once I’m home.
