Growth in various settings

Sometimes tutoring children can be really frustrating. I feel like I am constantly "making" kids do things they don't want to do. Things that they have to do- like reading and math. After a long day of school, the last thing they want to do is sit some more and do homework. But it must be done, and so there I am, telling them to sit down and shut up (usually in more polite terms, of course).

This semester has been very busy, and after tutoring I would often be frantically driving to either school or a counseling session. I had to switch gears very fast- from tutor/mentor to student, or counselor, depending on the day. These are all very different roles, and approaching a similar situation will look extremely different depending on my current role. Example- a kid acts out and refuses to do their homework. As a tutor, I use a sticker and prize system to motivate them. If that doesn't work, I call their parents. As a counselor, though, I explore their feelings about homework, get to the root of the problem, use art and play techniques to help them gain new skills. (Ahhh, if only I had time to take that approach during tutoring!)

Today, my first week without classes, I did not have to switch gears so quickly. Instead, I was able to bring kids to the Catholic Worker garden to plant and water flowers. It was so refreshing! In place of telling the children to sit down, stay inside, do their homework, I was able to tell them to dig a hole, plant a flower, water the garden. And they were so excited! It was heart-warming to see children take pride in their neighborhood, making it more beautiful.

I was quickly reminded- This is why I do what I do- to build relationships with kids, to help them grow, to help them learn, to help them learn to grow on their own. Whether it's the frustrating, yet important chore of finishing homework, the hope-instilling job of counseling, or the fun and exciting new skill of planting, these are all parts of empowering children and the community. I'm looking forward to more opportunities for growth throughout the summer!

Living Simplicity

"Some people seem to think that a life dedicated to simplicity and service is austere and joyless, but they do not know the freedom of simplicity. I am thankful to God every moment of my life for the great riches that have been showered upon me. My life is full and good but never overcrowded. If life is overcrowded then you are doing more than is required for you to do."

Source: Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work in Her Own Words

Oops. My life is overcrowded. There is no doubt about that. Living simplicity is quite challenging in our modern day American society. Particularly when you are a grad student, when you are passionate about so many things, when there are so many exciting opportunities, so many urgent needs, so many wonderful people to meet and connect with.

I admit it, I pack my schedule. From morning to evening, I am trying to squeeze it all in- coffee with friends and interesting people, my internship, a part-time job, service and actions that addresses social justice issues, class, readings, papers, yoga, prayer, etc. etc. It is fulfilling, interesting, exciting, but it is not simple.

The last part of the above quote challenges me- "If life is overcrowded then you are doing more than is required for you to do." Wow. How do you discern then, I wonder? What do you cut out? I am constantly evaluating and re-evaluating my schedule and how I am choosing to spend my time. But am I prayerful about every "yes" I say, everything I get involved in? Probably not as prayerful as I should be.

I was talking with a friend recently who is very involved in social justice issues- he is often attending protests, prayer services,and social actions. He is someone I admire because he is so aware of these issues, constantly engaging in the questions of how to make our country and our world more just. I mentioned an advocacy day I had recently participated in, and he replied (as if to himself), "You just can't get involved in everything. Sometimes you just have to trust that others are doing good work in addressing the areas you can't address. And then you just pray." What a wise statement. Maybe it is second-nature for most people, but I have to be reminded. I have to be reminded that it is okay not to be involved in everything. No one can singlehandedly save the world. The body of Christ is a body made of many parts because we all have different passions, different issues we bring awareness to, different roles. When we keep that in focus, we are able to live lives that are less overcrowded, more simple.