The spark that you have lit
All year long, the Library has been promoting a campus-wide Gratefulness Project. We asked you participate and share with us what you were thankful for. In January, we shared your responses from Fall quarter here and were delighted with the joy and variety of thoughts that you shared with us. We asked you to keep your thoughts of gratitude coming via email, Facebook, or write on our Gratefulness Project boards in the Library or in Barber Hall.
This week, I took what you sent in and have been compiling it to share with all of campus. And, I must confess, I am in awe of all of you. We had three times the response during Winter quarter than in Fall. You shared fun, beautiful, personal, and moving aspects of your lives. Reading them all, I could not help but think of Albert Schweitzer who said, “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us”. Each of has faced or is facing still times of trials, exhaustion, juggling to much, stress, fears, worries small and large. In the midst of it all, it is often a challenge to feel grateful or even find joy amidst the drama and the weights upon our shoulders. I understand this as much as the next person. What has me just overwhelmed right now is the beautiful reminder that this project is for why we are here.
The faculty and staff here at TVCC do not do this job because it brings us any great acclaim or prestige or riches. Education is not a field for any of those life goals. Why do people do it then? Because of a belief in what knowledge can give you, that it can enrich your lives, help you to understand the world around you and your place in it, and allow you to achieve every goal within your reach. Let's face it, life is fickle. Things and people come and go. Most everything can be taken away from you...friendship, love, relationships, jobs, money, time, energy, joy, belongings. Of all the things that we place value on, the one that can never disappear, that life can't steal, is your education. Wherever you go, whatever you do, what you learn and accomplish in your education is yours. No one can take that away. It is a foundation you will be able to stand upon wherever you go in life. And we are proud to be a part of that aspect of your life. We do this for you, the students. Now, why the segue here on education? Well, as I was reading all of your comments getting ready to share them, I was struck by how many students responded with gratitude regarding their education or there experience here.
You also shared so much more with us. And for that, I thank you all. Each of your stories, brief as they were, are a beautiful glimpse into who you are. You shared personal and scary things. You shared big and small things. And all I can say is, Wow. This is real. This is wonderful. And, as Schweitzer said, your thoughts have lit a spark within myself as well as the Library staff. We are grateful to be the small part of our lives that we are.
Here's a small collage of your responses for the Winter 2015 quarter. Read through them all. They are awesome and will, I know, leave each of you with a greater sense of gratitude and hope as I have been left with.
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