There's no joy like the joy of the sun coming in...

Recently, one of my tasks here at Sport in Society has been to review the applications coming in for my current role as resident Americorps*VISTA. I've gotta say, most of the application essays are pretty terrible. They give you a really tiny word limit, but most people can't even fill that. Granted, it's Americorps, but you should at least try.

It got me to thinking, though: I wonder what I wrote? It was just about this time last year. Did mine suck too? And, now that I'm almost done with the program, did I achieve what I set out to (or, at least, did I achieve what I lied about). So I went back to take a look at my essay and, I've got to say, I'm quite proud of myself - not only for writing a thoughtful, concise essay (the latter part being very difficult for me as you know, dear reader), but also because it seems that I wrote in earnest and, in many ways did something along the lines of what I set out to do. What I was also happy to realize is that, althougy my passions often come and go and I'm often torn between diverse life choices (from cooking to international social justice), so many themes remain consistent between these loves and, moreover, over time.

My true calling? Still haven't found it. BUT!! Somehowe it is tied in with paragraph two and this profound desire to share this joie de vivre with the world:

I want to join AmeriCorps because I cannot conceive of taking on a career which does not have some greater community good in mind. My travels with Habitat International and as a Watson Fellow have only increased my awareness of what it means to be a part of the global community. Additionally, they have shown me just how much there is to be done in bettering that community. And, after spending so much time traveling, I feel it is time to see what I can do within my own country.

I do not know yet what my "true calling" is, but I know that it is aligned with AmeriCorps' mission. I feel that I have the skills and outlook necessary to succeed as part of AmeriCorps - from my broad world view, to my life-long experiences volunteering and doing social justice work. As a hockey player, I know what it means to be a team player and have a sincere work ethic that has helped me succeed thus far in my life. At base level, I can contribute my passion for life and my sincere desire to enable the world to share in my appreciation for living. By spending a year working towards such a goal I know that I will gain an even heightened sense of community, the skills necessary to take my passions into my career, and the profound satisfaction comes with being able to use my God-given talents for a good outside of myself.

PS: My mom left a comment asking where the promised posts have been. In response, I must remind her that another was recently written, which she was in charge of editing. Ahem....