Google defines the word 'alive' as the state of being active and living. But the last four months spent at Virginia Tech taught me a different definition of that word and changed my attitude towards things like community service, volunteerism and social work completely. There are various types of people in this world, and evidently everyone has their own understanding of the term 'alive'. Some believe that jumping from a plane 13,000 feet above from the ground makes them feel alive, some believe that travelling the entire world with their loved ones make them feel alive. I was a person who believed that life is like checklist of acquisition, you keep on conquering the things in life you desire for and eventually die with a 'hope' that you lived your life to fullest. I could have died with this notion, but The Living Learning Community, SERVE, changed my mindset completely, and I say this with utmost honesty, through the course of these 4 months, I have changed a lot.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
I wanted to be a part of SERVE just so that I could comprehend the cultural and social diversity of America and get to know this country by being between the people who are the future of this country. SERVE gave me the opportunity to find myself and realize who I really am. On our first of school, all the freshmen and incoming students of SERVE went to Flyod in Virginia to work at the Plenty Farm and The Christmas Store. I recall how excited I was because I was posted in the Christmas Store. As we entered the store, we were welcomed with open hearts and warmth by passionate people, all in there 50s and 60s. My job was to label items and organize the articles on shelves. It was truly a mesmerizing experience, but the highlight of the event was when an old lady, with all honesty and sincerity came to me and said, "Thank you so much for your time sweetheart, may God bless you.", I can assure the reader that I had never felt so 'alive' and cheerful before. The strange part was that how a few words from someone can change us completely, inside out. It was only after that moment that I perceived that finding happiness is not the most difficult in this life, for it lies in you, and the people around you. We spend our entire life finding satisfaction from physical possessions and forget who we really are, and that’s the moment when community service comes under the spotlight. Social work actually gives you a chance to feel alive.
Another incident that I want to share in this monologue is when we went to Roanoke, Virginia for the Appalachia Service Project, which was a get on the bus trip involving reconstructing of the houses of the flood affected families. That trip was really an enriching experience as I got to learn a lot about building and construction and gained knowledge about national calamities. The trip was going just as expected but then the owner of the house came for a surprise visit with a bag Dunkin Donuts and McDonald's, his name was Ben. He started telling the history of the house and how the catastrophe changed his entire life. Before leaving he gave us tights hugs, while leaving he held my hand and said, "You are doing God's work son". Incidents like these made me realize what actually makes us happy, and that’s others' happiness.
When I look at life now, I see it through the perspective of a person who wants change the world by changing himself. I felt alive because of those particular incidents because maybe as human beings, we only starve for love and compassion from others, and I received it infinitely. I received something that money could never buy. I am alive for my upcoming endeavors and know that whatever I will do, I will do it with an open heart and wide smile.
Yes, I am Alive.
