Vulnerability

Before we started our projects, I had heard of Brene Brown; however, since seeing her TED talk in class, she has become my hero and motivator.  I loved her talk on vulnerability.  As I sat in class for presentations, I realized that each person was demonstrating vulnerability. By sharing our expectations, successes, goals, challenges and what some might consider failures, each of us opened ourselves up by being real.

I enjoyed so many of the presentations. It is exciting to hear and see how each person had grown and struggled with some aspect of their individual project or being a lead or integral part of PROJECT 2013.   I have to say that Jabez rocked it! It was so incredibly real and funny and such a depiction of how I have felt so often during this semester.  Juan also forced me to think about children and the impact of being encouraged to go to college and yet not providing the resources for those families to understand what a certain goal like that means.  We instill an idea and yet provide no hope for the goal to be achieved.

As I go forward desiring a life of service to those in need, I cannot imagine the impact this course is going to continue to have on my life.  Being a small part of Project 2013 and my involvement with Martin Middle School has enlightened me regarding community service.  Understanding the importance of not only recognizing a need but also allowing those who are in need to have the greater voice. I have gained so much from my readings and the teaching that has taken place. From Wasteland to Wicked Problems, I am not sure I will view relationships or community service the same way. 

Needless to say, the encouragement to take risks in this class was huge in helping me be able to let go of my agenda with Martin Middle School. I have found it also gave me courage to be more of a risk taker in my other classes.  My hope is that individually we will continue to be risk takers as we step out into different communities. Some of us will be moving on and not be a part of PROJECT 2014 but for others, we will remain and continue our work in Holly Street. I am excited to see what will take place there. I have loved this class far more than I ever imagined and I will miss Paula and all the tools and encouragement she brought to each of us.  I look forward to being an instrument of change and I am sure each of my classmates do also.