Such a rush! What an incredible moment! Highlight of the trip!" were a few of the phrases that resonated amongst our fellowships group. We were a group of 6th formers from around the UK who had come together to experience the beauty and wonders that South Africa has to offer. From the lion pits to free roaming elephants and giraffes, we watched in awe as the sea met with the sky from the magnificent Table Mountain. But our trip didn’t end there… We experienced first-hand some of the world’s finest blends of coffee, rode on South Africa’s fastest roller coaster, played with the penguins and the lion cubs. We experienced together what can only be described as an unforgettable two weeks which I know I will treasure dearly for the rest of my life.
But as we know, all great experiences eventually come to an end and so did our trip. Our final moments were spent at a closing banquet where we recalled the friendships that had been formed and the memories we had shared together.
Despite the magnitude of fun packed activities which we took part in when asked what their most memorable experience was an overwhelming number of people responding with “our time in Soweto”.
Soweto, a town without regular electricity and private toilets, a town in which we had visited a youth project to lend a helping hand for underprivileged children.
Let me clarify, In Soweto we weren’t bungee jumping, riding roller coasters or enjoying white water rafting. In Soweto there we were making hundreds of peanut butter sandwiches, giving piggy backs rides to children, helping kids with their homework, and giving out smiles to whomever would take one.
This was their highlight!!! I was so proud.
But what was is about Soweto that stood out? How could that have been the most memorable experience? Isn’t this the "I" generation, a world that is obsessed with the self over the other?
We are taught that when G-d created humanity He made us capable of being givers or takers. The act of giving allows us to attempt to be G-D like as He gives us everything while taking nothing in return. The soul yearns to emulate its creator and through acts of giving can actually attach itself to the Divine.
The feeling of satisfaction which follows a selfless act can leave a person feeling empowered and in tune with all of creation.
A couple of years ago a remarkable young man, Stephen Sutton, passed away. He was 19 years old and he died after battling cancer for four years. Stephen would made national news headlines for raising over £3 million for The Teenage Cancer Trust charity. Stephen had cancer four times and after each time when he thought he had beat it, it returned. Many of us would give up, but not Stephen he never lost his incredibly positive attitude and drive to achieve something in his short life.
He made a bucket list of 46 things he would like to do before he died including skydiving for charity, crowd surfing in a rubber Dingy and inspiring someone to become a doctor.
However, as he ticked more items off his list, completing over thirty of them, his focus began to change. While a year earlier, he had said that he wanted to live life to the fullest by experiencing amazing things, now he wanted to have as much of a positive impact as possible on other people. To quote Stephen “I don’t see the point in measuring life in terms of time anymore. I’d rather measure life in terms of making a difference".
In the last few weeks since I've returned to England friends are constantly asking me how my trip was. After hearing our itinerary the inevitable response is “I have to add it to my list”, or “it’s on the list”. Bucket lists are all the rage these days. Even if you haven’t put a life list on paper there is probably a list of life goals in the back of your mind.
So when some of us create lists in our minds or perhaps even write down what we want to accomplish before we kick the bucket how about writing and putting down something which will make you feel good inside.
Better yet how about we scrap the bucket list and say let's do something today and every day even after its been done once before.
Not just a line on a bucket list instead a commitment to constantly be a force for good in the world. Let’s do so much good that when the day comes and we give an accounting of our time in this world we can say I did good, not just one time, always.
