Power of One
“I made the decision to quit the basketball team, so I could dedicate more of my life to service.” As I listened to the story of Adam Harris, I couldn’t help but feel the world was a better place because he was in it.
This high achieving student/ athlete attends University of Michigan – Dearborn and had recently returned from participating in United Way’s Alternative Spring Break (ASB). Over 400 college students from across America went to the gulf coast for their spring break to help in the never ending recovery.
I wanted to take some time with them to learn more about their experience and explore “what’s next?”
About half way through our discussion, Adam began to tell his journey. He told me that on his i-pod he has most of Martin Luther King’s speeches. From Adam's perspective, Martin Luther King's life, the vision he shared, and the depth of thinking he possessed was as defining as any great thinker/doer/leader the world has known.
When he was in the gulf coast volunteering he kept calling his mom to talk with her about what he was experiencing. More importantly, Adam was listening to what the voice deep inside of him was saying. He realized that while he loved basketball, the time required to do that well was something he no longer could do. He wanted to see that significant amount of time dedicated to service. To others. To community.
This is a man who at a very early age has his compass set on a true north. The power, strength and courage of his decision to dedicate his life to service will be felt by many. His example provides a teachable moment for others.
How will we make progress in this region? Through decisions like Adams. The Power of One.
To get of sense of the ASB and Adam, click here. http://uwsemasb.blogspot.com/
Thanks for reading. Pass it on.
This high achieving student/ athlete attends University of Michigan – Dearborn and had recently returned from participating in United Way’s Alternative Spring Break (ASB). Over 400 college students from across America went to the gulf coast for their spring break to help in the never ending recovery.
I wanted to take some time with them to learn more about their experience and explore “what’s next?”
About half way through our discussion, Adam began to tell his journey. He told me that on his i-pod he has most of Martin Luther King’s speeches. From Adam's perspective, Martin Luther King's life, the vision he shared, and the depth of thinking he possessed was as defining as any great thinker/doer/leader the world has known.
When he was in the gulf coast volunteering he kept calling his mom to talk with her about what he was experiencing. More importantly, Adam was listening to what the voice deep inside of him was saying. He realized that while he loved basketball, the time required to do that well was something he no longer could do. He wanted to see that significant amount of time dedicated to service. To others. To community.
This is a man who at a very early age has his compass set on a true north. The power, strength and courage of his decision to dedicate his life to service will be felt by many. His example provides a teachable moment for others.
How will we make progress in this region? Through decisions like Adams. The Power of One.
To get of sense of the ASB and Adam, click here. http://uwsemasb.blogspot.com/
Thanks for reading. Pass it on.
