Changing the world... or at least a little piece of it
I am only one person. I can only do so much. But that much can be enough to change the lives of many. Or save a little piece of the environment. To many, this “little piece” may not be enough motivation to even attempt to ‘make a difference’. However, it is this indifference that keeps us from changing the world. So, although I may not be able to change the whole world, I can contribute to changing a little piece of it, and I see that as an important step out of the many required to impact this world. So, how would I take this step to impact a piece of this world I live in? If I could somehow be “released from the constraints of the architectural school program” here at the U of M, I would do a couple simple, yet so critical, things.
1. First of all, I might ask myself, “What can I do? What actions can I take that would be within my grasp?” Well… as I said before, I am only one person. But still… one person can do a lot. It took only one person to create a holocaust. It took only one person to invent a machine that forever changed our world: the automobile. It only takes one person to break another person’s heart. It only takes one person to make another person’s day. It only takes one person to plant a tree, to pick up a piece of trash, to recycle, to feed a starving person, to lend a hand…
If I could pick anywhere in the world to start ‘changing the world’, it would be right here, at home, in the Twin Cities.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mfshadow/19861533/
I think it is really important to begin with goals that are actually manageable, and as you accomplish these goals, you will become more and more encouraged to reach out and work towards bigger and bigger goals. By starting with a goal that is totally impractical, one is prone to become discouraged and give up. By beginning with smaller, more attainable goals, I am not at all ruling out the more ambitious goals. I am just saving those for later.
2. I would also ask myself, “What are my passions?” Although I believe it is important to protect the environment in all situations, even those which are not the most exciting, I also believe it is important to do so by using skills or talents that you have a passion for, if at all possible. This will make the work all the more exciting and will allow you to put your heart into what you are doing, and not just go through the motions because it is the ‘right thing to do’. One of the reasons why I am majoring in architecture is because I’m really interested in what the discipline encompasses, both artistic and mathematical thinking. For this reason, I would probably want to find some way in which I can use architecture to contribute to helping my environment. But, as the blog prompt requires, we are supposed to look outside the constraints of our architectural school program, incorporating other areas of discipline in our environmental mission. Therefore, I would also incorporate my love of art and math, and possibly even my interest in music to create an environmentally sustainable program. And I will definitely incorporate my compassion for people and helping them in any way I possibly can.
3. Also, I might suggest that the environment has to do with more than just the earth, trees, and other natural surroundings. I believe that it has to do with every bit of our surroundings, including the buildings, cities, neighborhood developments, etc. In this case, my mission of impacting the environment, will include all aspects of my surroundings, possibly even the people or even animals that are found in those spaces.
So… combining all of these ‘rules’, I would like to propose a project. A simple, yet potentially dramatically influential, mission to change a little piece of this world.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71086419@N00/2242711927/
I would like to propose a project, which creates opportunities for homeless and needy people of Minneapolis and Saint Paul to volunteer within their communities. Not only would this provide opportunities for them to get involved, but it would also allow them to help the environment and take part in improving our world. In my writing class, we read part of the book Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl. In his book he explained a study showing the correlation of people who were jobless feeling useless and therefore meaningless. He described that when he was able to get these unemployed people to volunteer in their communities, they no longer felt like their lives were meaningless, because they had a purpose. I believe taking a program like this to Minneapolis would be a great way to not only help people in our community feel more purposeful, but to also help people in our community help our community as a whole.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emergencyfoodshelfnetwork/2242705764/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/volunteermatch/261813977/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/volunteermatch/261813955/
This project is more of a “bodily” act, the idea of working hands on with other people, helping them to work hands on with other people. But I would also like to incorporate some architectural, artistic, musical and other such methods of accomplishing this project. The whole idea is to give the ‘volunteers’ something to do, to give them a purpose in life. I was thinking I could also do this by allowing them to pursue a passion, such as art, giving them the chance to create masterpieces and feel accomplished.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/anoordstra/41665997/
Also, I could start a community band within this organization to allow those who are interested in music to come together and play their music for other people. They can have the opportunity to play for their peers, or nursing homes, or other places where they can have a chance to make an impact on their community.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/t_lawrie/53696131/
Finally, I would like to incorporate somehow, architectural design in that they could have the opportunity to build their own houses and houses/buildings for their peers/community, once again to not only give them a feeling of worth, but also to impact their community/environment in a positive manner.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrsrice/1798316128/
If somehow this program could involve those who are homeless or unemployed, and even youth who are from impoverished families, I believe it could really change the environment, creating one in which people feel purposeful and enjoy living.
In church this morning, the sermon was surprisingly about volunteering and reaching out to the community. The pastor had interviewed the mayor of Minneapolis who shared a very inspiring thought: “It’s the responsibility of people who’ve been given a lot to give a lot.” I believe giving someone a sense of worth is one of the best gifts that can be given.