Will What You Do Today - Effect Your Life Tomorrow?
Will what you do today effect your life tomorrow? (kind of sounds like an ad for a financial institution doesn’t it?). This has been the theme in my life as of late. Making an impact. Just yesterday a friend said to me, rather melancholy, “I just don’t feel like what I do matters.” Sometimes it’s hard to grasp that we are making a difference. Especially when we don’t feel it for many years later.
This topic sparked when I came across a familiar face the other day. Couldn’t place it though. Something about him was distinct enough for me to notice. I had indeed met this person before. My gut said university…but it seemed closer than that. Luckily, my colleague knew him so I had an in – to solve this mystery. Conversation unveiled that a few years back, we had been at a mutual gathering, hosted by a mutual friend (ironically titled the ‘6 degrees of separation’ party). True, it was a good enough explanation for the knowing feeling, but I still wasn’t convinced that was where I knew him.
“Did you go to UBC” – I asked. Yes. (ok so that narrows it done somewhat) “Where you in Commerce?” Yes. (ok, I had friends in business, so we were getting closer). “Did you live in residence?” Yes…in a Fraternity. Suddenly, clarity rushed through me like a back chill. Everything came together.
Almost ten years ago at the ripe age of nineteen I began my facilitation career working with the Education Outreach program at UBC. It was a very exciting time. We were a group of passionate students who provided information for healthy living on campus. We were given the opportunity to write and facilitate numerous workshops for residences at UBC. The frat house was my very first client. There were a couple of reasons why I knew I’d never forget that experience 1) It was the first workshop I had ever done and 2) The topic was sexual health. It’s an intimating subject anyway, but to talk about it to a room of fifty guys my own age…
When I brought it up by chance, it was indeed his frat house and he actually remembered the night. We laughed about it, I told him how nervous I was (especially considering the fact they were having a keg party right after). His reply…”Really? Wow you didn’t come across that way at all, you handled yourself really well. I remember that.”
Ten years ago, I recall looking in the mirror right before the workshop somewhat petrified. Why oh why did I have to be doing this workshop, at a frat house?! I’d rather party with these guys then teach safe sex. Mortifying. But I trusted that there was a reason why I was doing what I was doing. If not for them, then at least for me. I knew that if I could get through that, there wasn’t much I couldn’t do. Speaking in public got a lot easier after that night; it shocked embarrassment right out of my system. What you do today does matter tomorrow. Even if takes ten years to figure that out. It may not always feel that way in the moment, but in the end it all means something.
This topic sparked when I came across a familiar face the other day. Couldn’t place it though. Something about him was distinct enough for me to notice. I had indeed met this person before. My gut said university…but it seemed closer than that. Luckily, my colleague knew him so I had an in – to solve this mystery. Conversation unveiled that a few years back, we had been at a mutual gathering, hosted by a mutual friend (ironically titled the ‘6 degrees of separation’ party). True, it was a good enough explanation for the knowing feeling, but I still wasn’t convinced that was where I knew him.
“Did you go to UBC” – I asked. Yes. (ok so that narrows it done somewhat) “Where you in Commerce?” Yes. (ok, I had friends in business, so we were getting closer). “Did you live in residence?” Yes…in a Fraternity. Suddenly, clarity rushed through me like a back chill. Everything came together.
Almost ten years ago at the ripe age of nineteen I began my facilitation career working with the Education Outreach program at UBC. It was a very exciting time. We were a group of passionate students who provided information for healthy living on campus. We were given the opportunity to write and facilitate numerous workshops for residences at UBC. The frat house was my very first client. There were a couple of reasons why I knew I’d never forget that experience 1) It was the first workshop I had ever done and 2) The topic was sexual health. It’s an intimating subject anyway, but to talk about it to a room of fifty guys my own age…
When I brought it up by chance, it was indeed his frat house and he actually remembered the night. We laughed about it, I told him how nervous I was (especially considering the fact they were having a keg party right after). His reply…”Really? Wow you didn’t come across that way at all, you handled yourself really well. I remember that.”
Ten years ago, I recall looking in the mirror right before the workshop somewhat petrified. Why oh why did I have to be doing this workshop, at a frat house?! I’d rather party with these guys then teach safe sex. Mortifying. But I trusted that there was a reason why I was doing what I was doing. If not for them, then at least for me. I knew that if I could get through that, there wasn’t much I couldn’t do. Speaking in public got a lot easier after that night; it shocked embarrassment right out of my system. What you do today does matter tomorrow. Even if takes ten years to figure that out. It may not always feel that way in the moment, but in the end it all means something.
posted by Desiree Daniel @ 9:39 AM
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