post #3

Three posts in and I'm already slacking off (go me!). I guess I just didn't think about this completely but oh well. I also never realized what a difference one person can make in the world. (Warning: this is about to get pretty deep.). A few months ago I started a job for teens working in the community for the Parks and Recreation Department. Of course, considering I was only 14 when I first heard about the job, I really only wanted to do it because it was a low commitment way to make some money, and no other places around here will even give you a second glance when they realize you're under 16 and applying for a job. But this job ended up really changing my perspective of myself and my community, and I realized that it didn't take much to make an impact that people could appreciate. For example, one day we went to City Hall and planted succulents and other plants in the empty planter boxes. Sure, there were only 10 people (adults included) working, so it took 4 1/2 hours, but by the time we were finished, the grounds looked amazing. City workers who eat lunch in the courtyard we were working in even told our department that it looked great and they wanted to thank us for our work. However, it wasn't until I found out that we are going to be working on the park by my house that I took a step back and really discovered what I had accomplished throughout the duration of the job. I was about to invest work in something I would see every day, something I could even continue to work on and utilize for years to come. I was able to do this - yes, me! - the teenager who just wanted the job to make money. I made money, but I also made friends, and I became more confident in myself. So that's why I wrote this short little ramble about this job I have. I realized that it didn't make sense to care anymore that I'm never invited to parties my friends are always at or that I spend my Saturday nights alone thinking about someone who doesn't even know I exist and just making myself feel bad about it all. I have the power to change anything and everything about my life, and I don't need to rely on other people to make me feel good about myself. I hope anyone out there reading this post realizes that you too can make a change that people will appreciate, and I encourage everyone to go outside and do something for your community - you never know what you might learn!

xoxo, 

-ash