Seeing the World in a New Light

 

The Louisiana Superdome Photo Credit: Darria Dennison

This past weekend I went with the Washburn University Leadership Institute to the Leadership Exchange at the University of New Orleans. Groups of students from both campuses prepared presentations to share with one another. We then, on Martin Luther King Day, participated in a day of service to kick off the week for those in the city and to bring our stay in New Orleans to an end. I was there with five other students and our instructor. The experience impacted a lot of us on the trip, and we all met some truly amazing people on the Exchange.

There were many things I noticed while in New Orleans. Walking through the French Quarter, there were many homeless people who lined the streets. Driving around the city, there were still neighborhoods recovering from the desolation of Hurricane Katrina. Even with all of the obstacles and challenges that people in New Orleans face, there were still young people around the city working to make a positive difference in their communities.

On Martin Luther King Day, youth from universities and colleges from around the area came to volunteer for the day of service. The Young Leadership Council (The YLC's website can be found here) actively works to effect and create positive changes across the city. There are young people working to make changes in the communities the live in. They aren't focused on trivial, passing matters. These young people are geared towards the future and the effects that their actions and their service can have on other peoples' lives.

The trip to New Orleans put many things into perspective. We as young people, as millennials, have so much power to work for change in our communities. Sometimes we often feel as if we must accomplish great change on our own, but that is where the error lies. Teamwork and working with others is one of the best ways we can work to improve our cities. Coming back to school, things seem different. Conversations about fleeting things seem less substantial, problems that happen from day to day appear so much smaller, and there is a newfound drive and motivation to make a difference in the lives of the people around oneself. After experiencing New Orleans and learning about leadership and service, small, trivial matters don't seem as important as they used to and everything is illuminated in a different light, all focused towards a larger goal encompassing not only one life, but the lives of many. 

There are many things that I learned on my trip that I have not recorded here, but I particularly took these two points away:

1.  Be grateful for everything you have in life. So many people live a life without a home, running water, and proper clothing, and it is important to be thankful for what is available to you. In our busy lives we forget to appreciate the people who have so much impact in our lives. Be thankful for the loving and supportive people who surround you and thank them for being an active presence in your life. Having a group of people to work with who care about and support your endeavors is important, no matter what your passion may be.
2. Serve in your community. Service to your community is one of the greatest things you can do as an individual. Helping the impoverished, rebuilding neighborhoods, and working for change in the community have incredible impacts on all of those involved. As young individuals and leaders, we have a duty to become actively engaged in the environments we live in. After completing the Martin Luther King day of service, I felt as if I had contributed to something far larger than myself. Serving others is one of the greatest things we can do. Even if we are busy, we should find some way to contribute our time to service. Members of the Youth Leadership Council in New Orleans come in after their daily jobs to plan and work on projects in the community. It isn't just an activity in their lives; it is a daily routine. We should all strive to serve the communities around us in any way we can. 

When you have a dream or a desire to make a change in the world around you, it doesn't mean you have to accomplish it alone. Focus on the things that are going to last beyond the next four years of your life. Cherish the people who are in your life, and always be grateful for the things you have been given and the things you have experienced because many people may never get the chance to have those opportunities. Use your talents and abilities and make the most of the opportunities you are given. Always jump at the chance to serve in your community because it not only helps to put things in perspective, but it can also help you to realize what is truly important in life.