To the Wonderful People we are leaving:
Over the past year, we have seen a wide range of reaction to
the statement “We are going into the Peace Corps” from worry to excitement.
Some people have thought it was military service while others did not even
realize we would be leaving the country. Then there are people who are so
excited, that they have a million questions about all kinds of things. What we
are doing now? What will we do with our stuff? Where will we stay? How will we
eat? Ect. We often fail to have answers to all the questions. We tried to
answer some here.While I must say these examples are only a sample it
still has the pieces of the most common responses we get which are worry and
excitement. We have had friends, family, and sometimes strangers give us a
worrisome smile and words of congratulations at the same time. It often feels
as if people are picturing the worst third country they can and then placing THEMSELVES
there.
I must say that I can understand why people are worried, there
is the fear of change, the fear of not fitting in, the fear of safety, and the fear
of losing our relationships in the US. This are all valid concerns, but these things seems less scary to me because of two reasons. One is that I am not in
this alone. Unlike the average Peace Corps Volunteer, I am able to enjoy and
reflect on this experience with my co-explorer and wife, Em. The second reason
is my personality, which is being a people-person. I suppose I get some of it
from my mother and father and some of it from my upbringing. I have never truly
been afraid of meeting new people or connecting with them. I am nervous about
communicating, but not connecting. Either way that is another story. The purpose
of this blog is to say do not worry so much. I feel that we (as people) are all able to make a pebble size change in the world. It may feel like a small change, but if we don't throw our pebbles in the water, how will we make waves in the ocean? I don't want to be a part of the group that does not throw its pebble in. I find comfort in knowing that
there are dangers everywhere, including our own backyard, and people are still
making a living. They are still raising children, still finding laughter and fighting
through sadness.
We are going to help people that at first glance seem to
have nothing to give. However that is not completely true, we are being welcomed in the
homes of families we do not yet know and (hopefully) embraced in a culture that
we will never fully understand. People have more to give then they think. Before
applying to the Peace Corps I used to think about all the things I do not have
or cannot afford, as I try to reach the American dream. Then I realized I do
have TIME and all the things that I don’t have yet (house, career tracked job,
kids, etc.) allows me to help those who have even less than I do. Not less in
happiness and joy, but in resources and knowledge. The Peace Corps is a win-win-win
for me. I get to travel, I get to share knowledge, and it aligns with my
Personal Philosophy (another blog to come).
The Peace Corps is not for everyone, but it is for me and
Em. I know that you too can find something that will inspire and proved you
with a life changing experience. Just do not let worry get in your way. Let
passion drive you to action.
In closing I want to say that I love you all for your
support, worry and excitement. I just hope that this letter lessens some to the
worry and increases the excitement. If not, I have added some Peace Corps
suggested reading for Family and Friends (and even strangers). A good resource for you to read is On The Homefront. Click the title and it will take you to a digital copy of the book. The Peace Corps website has good information as well.
“If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry. If it's not fixable, then there is no help in worrying. There is no benefit in worrying whatsoever.”
― Dalai Lama XIV
If that is to deep for you try:
"It's not time to worry yet" -Harper Lee, Author of To Kill a Mockingbird
Always
EZ Aiken
