Needs, Wants, and Gratitude - Glenda
Need is such a fluid term, even though your needs can be deemed important, in all honesty you can say you need anything! When I first applied to this program I swore I needed to be living in Venice with my own room, in a service site where I could prepare myself to become a college counselor and be able to save X amount of money for the year so that I could live in LA after the year was over.
Want to know what I found out after only three-ish months of service?
I don’t need to live in Venice, although it would make my commute 1000000X shorter, living in Hollywood is actually pretty great. Honestly, we are in close proximity to a lot of cool things, events and people There’s always something to do. I have to express my gratitude for that.
I don’t need my own room. Although it would be pretty sweet ( I can’t lie!). I love my roommate, she’s incredibly sweet, kind and is always forgiving of my messy side of the room! Also, having my own room would have made me isolate myself and when you are trying to build an intentional community isolation is a NO NO. I am so so grateful for this.
My service site is better than anything I could have imagined for myself. I am surrounded by a supportive staff, freedom to be creative with lessons and the SWEETEST and most generous students on this planet. Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude.
Saving money is hard, it always has been for me and it’s ten times harder this year. Although I am struggling financially (severely), I am having the time of my life, I am learning so many things about myself and growing in ways I never knew were possible. For this, I have no choice but to be grateful.
I have learned that my needs can be flexible, that they will be everchanging and that I don’t have all the answers. I’ve also found that someone out there, the big U or the big G, is watching out for me. As I continue to walk in my purpose and I’m excited to learn more about my ever changing needs and to GO. WITH. THE. FLOW.
- Glenda
