Inspired

I consider my current daily routine dull. Every day is the same thing. Day in, day out. Drive, teach, drive, teach, eat, procrastinate, sleep, repeat. I meet with friends maybe once a month, if even. I hang out with my brother and his girlfriend every week, but even that is just eating and watching movies. I deactivated my facebook account. My one outlet into the lives of my friends at large. Why? Because I was reading about all the cool things they get to do, all the fun things they do, worthwhile projects they take on, lives they're changing. It wasn't healthy for me to live like that, living vicariously through them.

Yesterday, I had lunch with the president of my alma mater, and other alumni in the area. It was my first alumni event, and though I didn't know anyone, and felt a bit awkward and out of place, I'm glad I went. It was held at the Union League Club near midtown, NYC (which is a beautiful venue for events and weddings); there were about 60 alumni present, if not more. It was so nice talking with fellow Wheaties; it made me miss that community so, so, so much. Everyone I talked with seemed genuinely interested in what I was saying; everyone seemed to be doing something kingdomly. I met a girl, Stacie '07, who's doing NPO work in SoHo, raising money to build wells in some TWC. I also met an older woman who used to attend Three Village Church, whose son is currently at SB Prep, who works at NYU and serves at Redeemer. President Ryken spoke, sharing some of his highlights and lowlights from this past school year. We opened and closed in prayer! I just haven't been in such a spiritually saturated environment in a long time, and it helped me remember just how lacking the world is. Not just the world; even my own church on Long Island.

Meeting these people, hearing about the issues raised on Wheaton campus, sharing in this bond, this love, that connects us even though we've never met, feeling like I'm a part of something greater. That 90 minute luncheon reminded me how to be a caring human being, how to have compassion on others, and reconfirmed my belief that yes, passion in someone is something to be desired.