Discovering The Quiet

There is so much noise in the world. So many distractions and colored chaos. We crave it and at the same time loathe it. Filling up our schedules, we throw out words like "too busy," "no time," and "can't." We feel a need to have plans and calendars marked with writing on each day. When we finally choose to be alone with ourselves, I think we tend to forget how to just "be", in the quiet. 

Our thoughts jump in unannounced and bully their way into our silence. It's not long before we begin to feel uncomfortable. Bored. Restless. It feels as if our generation (specifically) doesn't know how to entertain themselves without the help of modern technologies. With so much stimulus surrounding us it's hard to accept our down time as productive. We believe we are being lazy if we spend a whole day doing nothing.

A couple of weekends ago, a group of us headed to Joshua Tree for some camping and the peacefulness of nature. On our way home, we stopped in at a diner for breakfast. As we sat, one of my friends noticed she was feeling overwhelmed by all the noise, gadgets and chatter of the people. The feeling was mutual, we all felt a little more tense. Sometimes it takes us getting away from all the noise to realize how important the quiet can be for our souls.

In ten days I'm headed off to Europe. It'll be just me, a backpack, some books and my journal. I'll be alone, I'll be unknown. Being an only child, I've learned to not only deal with doing things on my own, but have come to also enjoy my alone time.

I look forward to this trip for many reasons but mostly, some renewal. I've been in San Diego for two years now and have had some amazing moments and some spirit breaking moments. It's time to step away and reflect on what has been accomplished and what my goals will be for the next year here. 

I'm longing for the quiet. I've been imagining this image of the "me" inside of me. She has on boxing gloves. With fists shooting out in front, she fights the world, fights daily struggles, fights money issues, fights insecurities. 

I'm ready for the escape. My own Eat, Pray, Love...the EP. Here's to discovering the quiet.

Bon Iver - I Can't Make You Love Me / Nick of Time

2011 Playlist

Here's a playlist from some music finds in 2011. They'll just rotate through, enjoy!

November

...you can't come soon enough.

I may never return. Don't worry Dad, I'm only half serious...

We Jump, With No Fear

It seems like lately; everywhere I go I meet people working in non-profit sectors and within social justice ministries. But not just volunteers, they are the creators and founders. They are the people working to create better lives for others. Many are young, intelligent people who could most likely be making much more in the corporate or business world.

Maybe this move towards fixing the injustices in the world has come from our being children of the recession. Maybe it is because many of us have been affected by the job market, the loss of a house, or have seen family members struggling to make it from paycheck to paycheck. I see my generation as one that understands hard work. We understand the value of a dollar and the irrationality of lavish spending. While I am not naïve enough to believe this is true for all people, I do think there are many of us whose lives do reflect this way of thinking. I believe there was a shift in thinking that began when our economy began to fall.

Unlike our parent’s generation, we are not being tied down to mortgages because, instead of buying houses, we buy plane tickets. We are travelers. We want to see the world, understand other cultures. We open our eyes. We jump, with no fear, into the unknown. I believe we are strong, we are passionate and we are devoted to taking part in something bigger than ourselves.

We are dreamers who seek to enrich the lives of others because our hearts scream at us to make a difference. Somewhere in between the September 11 attacks and The War on Terror, we realized that above all, love must exist in our lives. Not only love for ourselves but for others. We must take care of each other.

And with that comes responsibility. But it’s not easy. Those of us who have volunteered with a non-profit or fought for a cause know that it takes a lot of work. There are long hours, days of regretting the high-paying jobs you gave up, tedious tasks of inputting data for the organizations and nights you wish you could spend your evening at home watching TV rather than editing your third draft of a grant application. Yet, we devote the time because we understand that real lasting change doesn’t come easily or quickly.

Recently, my friends began an organization called Live a Life of Love. They are a San Diego based non-profit apparel company that donates 100% of its profits to charity. They believe in encouraging the world to live a life compelled and fundamentally governed by love. They chose GenerateHope as one of their three beneficiaries.  I feel blessed to have the support of my friends and encouraged to support them in return. It is a reminder that we all work together as one to seek justice in this world.

We are children of the recession. We are movers and shakers. We are a community of world changers.

I’m sure there are those who may disagree with all of this. You have purchased a home in the past decade, you are happily settled down and enjoy the job you have. This is just as exciting to me because we each have our own stories to tell. You are dedicated to your families and jobs and learning how to help out your communities. And maybe one day that will be me. But for now, I won’t plant my feet until I have seen the world and fought for justice in every way that I can. This is my story.

How do we change the world? By one act at a time. Through one person inspiring another person. Through ideas that lead to actions. Through saying yes to freedom and no to fear. By loving fully.

I am inspired.

Avasa & Matty Love

Amazing Amy