Prompt #7

There are numerous accounts in morning meeting when I wished I were somewhere else because they are just so boring. Typical announcements made by teachers, and all the while, the students have to sit there and listen to every single one of them. But a very vivid experience I had was at Interfaith Camp that my dad made me attend because he was on the board for the organization. I didn’t want to talk about religion or anything of that sort. I remember being at the check-in table, struggling to take my nametag because I really didn’t want to be there, I truly wished I were somewhere else. I had just left my job for a week for a camp that I never wanted to go to. I struggled because it was a new experience, I didn’t know anyone there, and I surely didn’t want to talk about religion. During the first day, I started to think about doing everything else besides enjoying myself. I wanted to be somewhere different. However, during that week, I found myself enjoying the camp a lot and I found that it was not just about religion, but also social justice.

I think what worked was that instead of thinking about being in other places, immerse yourself in whatever you’re doing. I think it helps you become more open in a situation and then you will be able to let loose and be yourself. I think Gilbert had a similar experience where she had to tell herself to enjoy what she’s doing instead of thinking about being somewhere else. It definitely helps to have positive thoughts as well because they help contribute to the experience.