A Mark, A Brand, A Statement

I had a very calm and rather relaxing day as I had the opportunity to assist Nicole tutoring kids, go on a walk listening to my ipod pondering about life and opportunities I would love to have in the future, look out at the beauty of India admiring its serene feeling along with its picturesque views, and go out to eat parotha with everyone. Tutoring kids can be a handful as I have mentioned before, but today was not. I tutored Karthik, one my favorite kids, which is Mani's son, who is one of our drivers and in charge of our land. I know I am not supposed to have favorites, but Karthik, to me, is one kid I connect really well with. It is not his huge smile or how smart he is, for all the kids have adorable smiles and brains to cure cancer, but it is his example to all of the other children making him more special in my eyes than any other kid. Everytime I look I see him helping another child. Karthik always leads by example, but not in the self-righteous way thinking he is better than others, but in a positive way making others better. He does not use his age as a way of belittling other children, but as a helping tool showing others his maturity. Karthik, to me, is a perfect role-model for other children and I know through his example others will want to become just like him. I am proud to sit here and tell you about Karthik because his example to the children has significantly impacted my views of how I want to represent and carry myself throughout the future. "The children here can be a guide to you and each child has something to offer if you just let them in." These were words spoken by Amy Antonelli at a devotional one night here at RSO. Amy is an amazing women and someone I look up to immensely. Everytime she speaks at RSO I feel as if her words reverberate thousands of miles, and all of India hears what she pours out from her amazing heart. I figured this out slowly, but surely by letting the children teach me instead of always trying to teach them. It always amazes me how much children teach me. I never thought by looking at a child so much could be seen, but it is the same with anyone we admire or look up to. If we watch them closely there is always going to be something interesting. After tutoring, Nicole asked me if I wanted to come along and walk with her through the village. She said she always takes walks back at home listening to her ipod just pondering about life, and so, I came along. Walking through the village we greeted many people with Vanakkam, tamil for hello. It was great to see smiles as we walked through. It felt so serene listening to music as I walked looking out into the beauty of nature God created. In the horizon, clouds were swiftly moving together to form one huge ominous mass of violet-gray. Behind us, clouds remained in its clear blue state seen on a perfect day. I felt as if I was in a painting depicting armageddon. Earth itself was not ending, but the beautiful picture nature sometimes paints can be beyond beautiful; awe-inspiring is an understatement describing what I had seen. I always enjoy taking time for myself pondering on life's mysteries and how truly blessed we are to be living a life of great opportunity. For dinner all of us went to Uthiramerur for parotha! How great is it to eat a meal less than a dollar? I would have to say FANTASTIC! After dinner we all had ice cream, which in India is so good! I always get the choco bar, which is chocolate on the outside and vanilla laced with dark chocolate inside. I would have to say today was a great day! I saw more of India's beauty, learned to view people around me and myself in a different way and I noticed how blessed I truly am to be living life. Life, to me, is a privilege and opportunity not a right. How we decide to live it is up to us. Do we want to go about it just walking through the motions not getting anything out of it, or do we want to make a mark, a brand, and a statement to the world letting each person see the light all of us possess? I know I want to make a positive statement to the world leaving behind a legacy full of greatness becoming better when good is not good enough. I leave these thoughts with you, so you, like me, can ponder them and search for the answers you seek. I miss and love each one of you! I love these people and the work I am doing! Continue to do the best you can in all aspects of your life!