How many roads must a man
walk down
Before you call him a
man?
How many seas must a white
dove sail
Before she sleeps in the
sand?
Yes, 'n how many times
must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever
banned?
The answer, my friend, is
blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in
the wind.
Every time I hear Bob Dylan's, "Blowing in the Wind", I
confront a subtle uneasiness. I may feel this way, because over 50 years
after Dylan wrote this song, our society as still not yet confronted the
realities that the song describes. The song makes things sound so easy. All
the answers are here, we just have to look a little harder. In truth,
the answers are around us--within the poor and rich, white and black, and
leaders and followers. We all have something to offer and something at
stake.
After going to college and working as a lab tech, I saw how easy it is
to become apathetic to the problems around us all. It is easier to not worry about these
things and just go along with the daily grind. We get up in the morning, go to
work, come home, eat dinner, hang out for a bit, and then go to bed. Repeat.
Repeat. Repeat. The wheel keeps on turning--day after day. Even with all the
complaining that comes with many jobs, this is our comfort zone. Routine
is comfortable. At the end of each two weeks, a newfound motivation is born.
This motivation, however, slowly decays until that next deposit is made.
Something has been on my mind for a while. I hope I’m not disillusioned, but is it possible to live life every day with that motivation that seems to arise at the end of each two weeks? Money is such a barometer of success in our society today. Are we necessarily wealthier if we have more money? Sure, money makes things easier, but I see so many people who have all the money in the world and they still are not happy. When I think of wealth, my family, friends, and community come to mind. The love and support that I get from these people every day is worth more to me than anything. “The Soul of the World is nourished by people’s happiness... And also unhappiness, envy, and jealousy.” Lets do our best to keep the latter from being the present force around us.
Something has been on my mind for a while. I hope I’m not disillusioned, but is it possible to live life every day with that motivation that seems to arise at the end of each two weeks? Money is such a barometer of success in our society today. Are we necessarily wealthier if we have more money? Sure, money makes things easier, but I see so many people who have all the money in the world and they still are not happy. When I think of wealth, my family, friends, and community come to mind. The love and support that I get from these people every day is worth more to me than anything. “The Soul of the World is nourished by people’s happiness... And also unhappiness, envy, and jealousy.” Lets do our best to keep the latter from being the present force around us.
Over the past three months that I have been off work, I have been able
to take all this in as I awaited my departure with the Peace Corps. I started
this process in October of 2011, had my interview in June 2012, and did not
receive my placement (Tanzania; Chemistry Teacher) until March 2013. It has
been a rollercoaster of a ride for both my family and I.
Twenty-five years ago, my Uncle, Dr. Scott Glotfelty, served in the
Peace Corps in Togo, Africa, as an animal husbandry volunteer.
 |
| My Uncle Scott just before his service. FPCV 1988 |
About a year into
his service, he tragically passed away after being attacked by a swarm of bees. Although I never met my uncle, the embers of his life still
burn hot in my family and community. Uncle Scott knew how hard it would be to
“change the world.” He always thought though, if everyone pitched in, "we could make this world a little less imperfect." I
am not going into this experience expecting to “change the world”. My
contribution might be quite minimal in the grand scheme of things. I know,
however, that the small impact I will be making will be quite large to the
community that I am working in.
I recently read The Alchemist and thoroughly enjoyed the message that the book reveals. This fable follows a shepherd boy named Santiago on his journey to find himself and happiness, all with the hopes of learning the art of alchemy. Along the way, Santiago works odd jobs, meets many people, has many successes and misfortunes, but is able to discover the importance that each step of the journey holds. The world we live in is just one big classroom. There is always a new experience to be had and something new to learn. We can only fully experience the world if we get out there and see it. Like Santiago, I am kind of on my own little quest. Joining the Peace Corps is a little off the beaten path of “normal,” but I think that this part of my journey in life is going to open up many new doors for me. I look forward to my pit stops on the way. This experience will bridge the gap to next leg of the trip in my life.
I recently read The Alchemist and thoroughly enjoyed the message that the book reveals. This fable follows a shepherd boy named Santiago on his journey to find himself and happiness, all with the hopes of learning the art of alchemy. Along the way, Santiago works odd jobs, meets many people, has many successes and misfortunes, but is able to discover the importance that each step of the journey holds. The world we live in is just one big classroom. There is always a new experience to be had and something new to learn. We can only fully experience the world if we get out there and see it. Like Santiago, I am kind of on my own little quest. Joining the Peace Corps is a little off the beaten path of “normal,” but I think that this part of my journey in life is going to open up many new doors for me. I look forward to my pit stops on the way. This experience will bridge the gap to next leg of the trip in my life.
So, my bags are packed, I just left the farm and went to Baltimore
for my last full night in the states. Im currently in Philly for the Staging Event
and fly out on the 4th of July. I think a Cheese Steak is the last
item on my bucket list for the states.
One last thing…Is there something you always wanted to do or something you have put on the backburner for some time? I challenge and encourage you to try and make it happen. We only live one life—might as well live it to fullest. Grab hold of that something that has been blowin’ in the wind your whole life. If we each do our part and care just a little, together we can make real change.
One last thing…Is there something you always wanted to do or something you have put on the backburner for some time? I challenge and encourage you to try and make it happen. We only live one life—might as well live it to fullest. Grab hold of that something that has been blowin’ in the wind your whole life. If we each do our part and care just a little, together we can make real change.
I will update this as much as possible, but no promises on my access to
the Internet. Stay in touch and thanks for stopping by.
“Peace requires the simple but powerful recognition that what we have in
common as human beings is more important and crucial than what divides us.”
Sgt. Shriver
