Thank you for all the support and encouragement since I've started school.
Thank you for the very many birthday surprises and wishes.
Thank you for the love and patience I need most when I deserve it the least.
And thank you for reading.
This post was prompted by a variety of reasons: a conversation with my mom, a surprising amount of free time today, but most importantly, the number of hits this page has gotten since I started school. Since this blog began I have been equally amazed and grateful at how interested people seem to be with what I write. So in short whether you stumbled upon my internet home on accident or with intention my gratitude is immense and I'm happy you're willing to listen.
With that serious stuff aside, lemme tell ya that I've been having a great time. I love my job (Motorpool) and my classes are challenging but I'm keeping up and learning a lot and that's really all I can ask for. The campus is beautiful, as are the people that fill it. I stand in awe everyday at the amazing opportunities I've already been afforded here, and hope for many more. The twentieth will mark a month since my year began here and time is moving so fast that it seems like it's already been much longer. As much as I wish time would slow down a little bit the events that have filled my four weeks here have included great things, like: midnight picnics in the formal gardens to star-gaze, a wicked dance party, little piglets, learning to love grits, learning to drive a 14-passenger van, "everybody cooks" dinners that build community like I've never experienced before, hour long yoga classes that leave me sore for days, and a lot of midnight studying. (Also, a lot of chocolate, but I feel that goes without saying.)
I've joined a few clubs, tried and left a lot more, and am happy to say I'm still trying to find out where I can contribute best here. Learning how I can add to this already vibrant and thriving community is a thought that creeps into my mind nearly every day, either briefly or for a long while. For me the answer lies in discerning my talents, interests, strengths, and weaknesses, but it also means simply living in community--which is different than living in the community. I'm learning that being in community means you're continuously engaged and aware of not only your own needs, but those of others and reacting respectfully to them.
Learning how to do this is one of the biggest reasons I chose to come to Wilson because students, like myself, who are daily engaged in the Triad are constantly reminded how our actions will effect those around us. It's hard to articulate anything past that because I'm still learning what that looks like and how to respond to difficult questions, like: how do I respect my own needs in the community while do the same for others? What I'm doing well in the community and how can I contribute more of it? Simply the questions of what I should and can give, and where I should step back and let someone else up to plate to teach so we all can learn. These are easy questions and have certainly been more challenging than some of my homework, and I can't tell you the answers right now but I can begin to tell you what the answers look like.
It's:
Holding the door for the person behind you going into Gladfelter (because 7:30 is early for all of us).
Meeting at Sage to just talk (because finding people to listen is hard when we all have so much to share).
Showing up to work on time (because your schedule isn't the only one the college is interested in keeping today).
Picking up that piece of trash off the ground (because this is everyone's home and it's our job to keep it clean).
Owning the talents you have and sharing them (because we are all a little self-conscious, but we're also all so eager to learn).
Saying "hi" to strangers (because who doesn't want to be seen?).
The Warren Wilson community provides a lot examples for what community is, but in the words of the college president community is "being kind to everyone on campus".
Being kind is an abstract idea defined by the little things that same simple at the time but may mean the world to your neighbor. And honestly, our neighbors can always use a little more love.
So that's what I've learned so far. That my actions are seen and felt. We're all recognized and we're all vital to keeping our tiny campus going. And I really love our campus so I want to do my part to make that happen.
Thanks for reading!
Love, from silly college kid
(P.S. I love hearing from everyone. Sometimes I don't how to reach out other than awkward facebook messages. So please comment below, e-mail me, mail me things, call me or text me. I want to know how you're doing, wherever you are. Message me via Facebook if you need any of the address above--I promise to reply as timely as possible).