Can I begin by saying I hate blogging? I’m not sure if this is allowed but it needs to be said. I HATE BLOGGING! I officially discovered this about 3 hours ago when I sat down to develop a topic for this one.
After having gotten that off my chest, I suppose it’s time to begin. For those of you who don’t know, I’m currently on a co-op term working at the Ontario Legislative Assembly in Toronto. Because of the distance, I won’t be attending the Working Centre in Waterloo like my fellow classmates, however I have found a great organization right in my hometown of Oakville called Community Living. Community Living is a not-for-profit organization that is devoted to ensuring that people with developmental disabilities are able to enjoy their right to lead active and productive lives in their community1. The combination of working with a diversity camp this past summer as well as reading Jean Vanier’s Becoming Human, encouraged me to continue this passion of mine further.
As I mentioned in my first blog, I used to think I could save the world. However, my superman dream was slowly brought back to reality after realizing how truly complex our world problems are. Throughout RS283, we focused our attention on the Millennium Development Goals and quickly learned how each target was somehow intertwined with another, disabling the ability to accomplish each distinct goal at a time. Despite this depressing news, I’ve also gained hope by briefly learning about some amazing people who have founded the various organizations we will be working with both in our home communities and abroad. As Vanier states in Becoming Human:
"But let us not put our sights too high. We do not have to be saviours of the world! We are simply human beings, enfolded in weakness and in hope, called together to change our world one heart at a time (163)."
This quote really inspired me to continue on my journey with Beyond Borders as I know even if all I help is one person, it’s a step in the right direction.
By beginning my volunteer placement close to home with Community Living Oakville, my hopes are that it will provide me with the opportunity to gradually become comfortable with being uncomfortable. By this, I am referring to the infamous statement referenced often in our Beyond Borders class “when you’re out of your comfort zone, it means your learning”. For me, being pushed out of my comfort zone varies from being shy on my first day of work or raising my hand to answer a question in class to having to people someone with a mental disability twice my size screaming at me or having to witness a mother abusing her child. Whenever placed in uncomfortable situations, that rush of adrenaline kicks in helping me to overcome whatever obstacle I encounter. The feeling of looking back, even for a brief moment, at what you just accomplished always makes that feeling of scared/awkwardness seem so miniscule, and your overall achievement even more worthwhile.
Although I have yet to begin this placement, I’m excited to encounter new and exciting challenges. By becoming used to being faced with difficult situations at Community Living, my hopes are that this will help to prepare me for being thrown WAY out of my comfort zone when I reach my new 2011 summer home. Things like not having running water, little sanitation, learning new customs or languages and seeing how people in the developing world live day to day, is going to be a challenge. I don’t know if there is anything here that can truly prepare me for this “uncomfort” that I will face in less then 4 months. I guess we’ll find out soon!
Before I sign off on this blog, I’ve made a list of things I hope to discuss in future blogs. This will hopefully help me to develop ideas faster and eventually maybe I’ll even enjoy writing publically (I don’t have high hopes on this one!).
1. 1. Things I’m excited/worried for
2. 2. Things I hope to accomplish while I’m there
3. 3. A brief history about the country I’ll be traveling to
4. 4. Things I have to keep in mind while in my host country
(Whew, I did it! I made it through my first blog --defiantly not within my comfort level yet. I’ll work on it.)
Until next time, you stay classy Waterloo!
peace and love,
sam.
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