Keep your head above water, but don't forget to breathe

We’re all constantly pushing ourselves during our volunteer year. It is one of the things I love most about this experience. Sometimes where and how we are struggling is obvious and something we are able to confront head on.

At our various placements we are regularly challenged with a new cases or projects that push us beyond the comfort of our skill set. We are consistently compelled to work through the challenge of joint budgeting, living simply and being present in community, even when community may be the very thing we are struggling with.

Other times where and how we are struggling is not so apparent. We grapple with systems that marginalize, disregard and even dehumanize those whom we work closest with. We are challenged emotionally, spiritually and sometimes ideologically as we search for solutions that may or may not be feasible. We are pushed to the edge where we must confront the limits of our own abilities.

In these struggles, I find what is often required of me is humility. This is not some trite tribute to our program but a sincere evaluation of what is asked of us in our service to others and our respective communities.

It takes humility to recognize your own limitations and weaknesses. We are confronted daily with problems we cannot solve. Sometimes we can’t even make them better. We can humbly be present, even when it is uncomfortable and difficult because we cannot change the situation.

It takes humility to eschew individualism in favor of community. We have agreed to be wholly accountable to each other throughout this year, to let go of “my” way and take up “our” way. It requires humility to recognize our differences and simultaneously accept each other’s feelings, opinions, ideas and solutions as a community of equals.

Throughout this year we’re often called to serve in ways or capacities we could not have fully appreciated when we said “Yes” and entered this experience. The beauty of this is that where we are pushing ourselves we are growing. While growth is not always easy or pleasant (remember puberty) when we struggle through we gain not only wisdom and experience, but also empowerment.

With Love,

Vitina

P.S. On a personal note last week I decide that I am going to run a marathon. Running has been a recent hobby in my life, with the exception of a very brief track career my senior year of high school, the first race I ever ran was 2 years ago. Last February, with the support of my friends and community, I complete a half marathon. While training and actually running 13.1 miles was a struggle, it was one of my most empowering accomplishments to date. The marathon will take place the weekend before mid-year retreat.