TAKE ACTION. This is the call to my generation. Everywhere we look we are being handed ways to do so. Politically, scientifically, spiritually, at home and abroad, for children and for the elderly. Yet how often do we turn our attention away. How often do we say ITS NOT OUR problem.
When I saw the TAKE ACTION contest, I realized how easy this would be. I JUST returned from a mission trip in the Smokey Mountain region of North Carolina. A quick essay about the amazing time I spent there -running a camp for the kids, visiting the elderly, and building homes with Habitat for Humanity- all while getting to know such a wonderful community. Not only would this essay be easy to write it would be fun too.
But then I thought about that wonderful community. I honestly didn't take much action in this instance, all I did was sign up with a group and then give it my best effort when I got up there. I did what I needed to do, what I thought I needed to do. I signed up to help people because I thought they needed it and when I got down there I tried to do that, quickly realizing they didn't need help.
Yes, they were poor, and yes, they needed the houses and the kids needed the care and the elderly needed the companionship, but every corner I turned I noticed how well everyone was doing, how happy everyone was and the reason why was evident. They were happy because of the community they lived in, they were happy with eachother, they were happy THERE. With no house, little money and nothing of monetary importance they were happy.
Unfortunately, I live in the Main Line and this theory of life astonishes me. How can someone who doesn't have the best iPod, the newest clothes and the most espensive car be happy? Where I live, you don't see that. Neighbors helping neighbors, everyone knowing everyone, people just being nice to other people because they are people.
So the question 'What can I do to TAKE ACTION?' gets much bigger, because now I am not able to help the people who seem to have nothing because they have everything. I have to help the people who have everything because somewhere along the line they forgot about community, about there neighbor, about that stranger on the street. They curse off someone they don't know instead of offering a helping hand, they talk behind their neighbor's back instead of befirending them and none of them not one has ever thought about COMMUNITY.
So what I do to TAKE ACTION, what I have always done without even noticing, is to be a part of that lost community. To be the person out there teaching the children, visiting the elderly, and building homes not miles away but right here at home, in my community, because we are the ones that really need it.
*The picture is of me recieving the Eagle of the Cross Award which is given to "young people who demonstrate outstanding leadership in their parish and community". I know its not a picture of me actually doing it but I really couldn't find a good picture of me!
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