Introducing myself and my journal: song
by jodelight | July 7, 2009 at 4:39 PM
About Me:
my story is this:
every new day, I believe a new hope born.Everyday I hear music. I know that while there is so great a sadness and tragedy in the world, there is still so much beauty and hope. Everyday, whether it's raining, or the sun is blazing, there is possibility.
I have spent the better half of the last few years, working abroad, traveling and soul searching. A portion of this time, I worked in Cambodia, assisting small grassroot NGOs with organizational development, project building, charity event planning, and ground level field work. I also was blessed with the priviledge to teach empowerment and language classes to youth in the outskirts of Phnom Penh. It was my responsibility to organized activities and community projects.
I have found that the real beauty in life is not in grandeur, but in the truly simple moments. When I look back on my time working in Cambodia, I see the faces of my students. So beautiful, and so full of hope. One particular activity project stands out to me right now. We gathered on a Sunday evening; it was hot, the fans weren't working, yet the students still gathered. I thought that doing empowerment collages would be both fun and inspiring. So, there we all sat in a little schoolhouse, in a rundown neighborhood outside the city, dreaming. Dreaming, creating, expressing- and enjoying each others company. The students cut out pictures and words and figures, shaping their futures onto cardboard.
When everyone was finished, I asked everyone to present their collage, and what they wanted for the future. One student got up and said he wanted to be a teacher, another wanted to be pilot, another doctor. One shy girl got up and said she wanted to be a judge. She showed how the aspects of her collage, supported her belief that a better judicial system would provide better opportunities for Cambodian people. She said that she wanted to be the first Cambodian woman judge. wow-tears were streaming down my face. I was so proud of her. Another student said he wanted to be a peace advocate. He hopes to work for a newspaper, spreading awareness about inequality, wars, injustices, and give the powerless a voice. As I looked at each students collage's I saw their dreams and their future landmarked on these papers.
The students hung their collage's on the raggedy school walls, projecting their dreams, and seeing that in order for their dreams to be realized, they had to study, work hard, and hope and dream.
They are my inspiration. I spent the majority of my time in Cambodia with them. I love them in a way that I have never loved before. I love them because they are so full of hope, they are the future of Cambodia. When I think of them, I think of music. They are so lovely, I hear them all around. They are my music, their heart dreams are my song. Everyone of them is capable of so much. I send good thoughts, and hopes to them everyday.
How can I talk about anything else now, after all that...
Life is bigger than me, and I feel blessed when I find how much good there is all around. I am moved by the amazing people I have met, I will continue to do the work that I believe helps make positive change possible.
My Passions:
travel, international work, people, reading, biking
My Challenges:
finding strength to follow dreams through
My Vision for the Future:
working in the global community, working for positive, empowered change.
My Areas of Expertise:
international issues, languages, aid work.
Comments
Hey there! Welcome to
Hey there! Welcome to PulseWire!
Its so exciting having you with us, I am sure you will have a fun time with your new online friends. I know that you will find this to be a positive experience and I encourage you to take advantage of the numerous resources and features available through our vibrant online community.
Welcome again to our global community and I look forward to hearing more from you here on PulseWire!
Peace!
Fatima
Welcome
Hello!
With your passion and expansive vision for life, you'll find many members who will delight in connecting and relate to your hopeful thinking. You've definitely come to the right place! Your stories of working with students and seeing their faces alight with hope, setting goals, and dreaming of futures unknown... I know you'll have many experiences to share in your journal. I think you would love the Cambodia Cafe group. http://www.worldpulse.com/pulsewire/groups/8410
Cambodia Cafe provides a collaborative and safe discussion forum for you to share your thoughts, ideas, struggles, and emotions surrounding Cambodia, and to connect with readers and fellow activists through your personal story.
A few members you might connect with- who are Cambodian,are interested in or live there. Wow, there are so many of you!
Andy Brouwer
http://www.worldpulse.com/user/1170
Reaksmey Arun
http://www.worldpulse.com/user/1963
Bong Mao
http://www.worldpulse.com/user/2335
Daniela Papi
http://www.worldpulse.com/user/1338
Iskaburskis
http://www.worldpulse.com/user/1151
Phasy
http://www.worldpulse.com/user/1793
Aloha!
Welcome Jodie - What a precious surprise ! It's going to be an incredible adventure!
Love,
Jensine
Jensine Larsen
World Pulse
Jensine! I am overjoyed with
Jensine!
I am overjoyed with this exquisite journey ahead! I know this will be a beautiful season!
much love,
Jody
Welcome to the team!
Hi Jody,
What a beautiful profile... I feel like I already know so much about you, your big heart and your passion for helping to empower women around the world. I'm so happy to have you on the team and I look forward to getting to know you and working closely to help members on PulseWire create success stories!
Hugs,
Jade
Hi Jade, thank you for the
Hi Jade,
thank you for the warm welcome, I am so greatly excited to begin this journey with World Pulse. I am so inspired with the passion of World Pulse. I can't wait to meet you and get connected with amazing women around the world.
best,
Jody
A breath of fresh air:)
Hi there Jody,
Thanks for your beauty - you have got it ALL figured out sister and I am glad that you are sharing it with others. I felt the wow-tears well up in me too. I can almost picture those dreams and I can definitely hear the song. Thanks for being you.
Keep smiling and sharing your joy with as many as possible. There is always something to be thankful for.
Singing along,
Shauna
Hey there, Welcome to World
Hey there,
Welcome to World Pulse!
It's great to have you here:) You are such a good writer and you bring so much positive energy to this world. I can't wait to read more about your experiences in Cambodia. I just watched a documentary about the country, it seems very interesting. I would love to visit someday:) I really know how you feel when you say you love how your students are full of hope. I spent a year working with refugee women in Cairo and I had very similar feelings:) They inspired me and helped me grow as a human being and a woman!
best wishes,
Kizzie
beautiful and simple
Hello Jody,
Well, in your 'story' , you relate clearly what is really meaningful in life within the context of your work in Cambodia.
If I may repeat your words that ring true to me...."every new day, I believe a new hope born. Everyday I hear music. I know that while there is so great a sadness and tragedy in the world, there is still so much beauty and hope. Everyday, whether it's raining, or the sun is blazing, there is possibility. I have spent the better half of the last few years, working abroad, traveling and soul searching. I have found that the real beauty in life is not in grandeur, but in the truly simple moments".
I would like to hear more from you about your soul searching, what you are doing now and your future dreams. Also, it seems there are a number of people in Portland, where my wife and daugher are living...I will join them once I quit my job in Alaska. Just curious why so many are from Portland.
So much of life is beyond understanding...why all those tragic things happen..why mankind...and womankind :) are continuing in the same tragic pattern...playing over and over the same storyline of mistreatment to their sisters and brothers. Why it is so hard to "simply" be kind to each other, to share what we have with those less fortunate...why the world is the way it is is beyond what I will ever comprehend. Maybe God is trying to teach us a lesson...well it seems we have failed miserably. Yes, there are so many people doing good, and so many stories are never heard. But it is inspiring to see and hear the stories..the experiences of people doing their part, many times in a difficult or dangerous environment. I am amazed of the willingness of some to risk their life for causes beyond themselves.
I am a positive person and for me it is easier to stay positive by looking at the smaller picture. What can I do to help just one person, or a few people. I will have plenty of time once I retire to pursue the only thing outside my family I have a passion for. That passion involves living or spending much of each year in another country, living simply while lending a hand to those less fortunate. All people should have adequate housing, food, water, healthcare, education and safety. While the world's poor are lacking in those things, my travels to rural villages/towns in the Philippines, India and other third world countries have shown me the poor are generally very happy people, sharing what little they have while placing the highest importance on family.
Thank you for "story" and I am looking forward to reading and learning more within this website...even though it seems to emphasize "women." :)
best wishes in your life journey
Roger