Gummi Bears and Rubies, Pearls and Tears

Gold and bronze coins sprinkling the trail, fallen leaves. Like pale yellow rose petals paving the way down the aisle for a bride. Ruby berries dangle from branches, framing the path. Butter-yellow leaves decorate the branches, contrasting with the still-green foliage. Some leaves have already turned brown, crunchy and original and inviting, framed in soft sunlight. Gold and bronze and rubies, a walkway fit for kings. 

I've fallen in love, with the mountains. They are so massive, stunning, breathtaking (literally and metaphorically), and intimidating. The aspens are just beginning to turn bright shades of yellow. The mountains look as though a giant jar of yellow paint broke in heaven, sprinkling the mountainside with splashes of brilliant yellows.

As I've said time and time again, the world is an astoundingly beautiful place. This weekend at Keystone only proved to further this belief. When I look at the world I find it difficult to understand how people can NOT see God in it! His fingerprints tenderly cover every surface of nature. I can see where He sculpted the mountains, raising their peaks and sprinkling them in trees. His glorious sunsets are watercolors of reds, oranges, blues, purples, pinks, and yellows. Last night's sunset was truly grand. I was reading Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass for a portion of the bus ride home to DU. In one section, Whitman describes different scenes of nature with startlingly beautiful and perfectly descriptive imagery. Whitman was definitely not a believer in God, yet he could so clearly see the many wonders of this earth. I wish others could see the world as I see it, not only as a beautiful place, but as the Mona Lisa of The Master Painter, marked with a few imperfections and quirks, but truly a masterpiece.

We had a lot of fabulous discussions this weekend. I could never go in depth into our many conversations, but a few points are worth highlighting. Last night's 'talking points' were about rather controversial/debate-invoking issues. Catherine would read a statement (discussing immigration or healthcare policies, the roots of evil behavior in a society, acceptance of culture and religion, and the like) and we would have to decide if we agreed or disagreed. With no middle ground to stand upon, we had to stand on the Agree or Disagree side of the room. This exercise forced us to address our personal opinions on issues, as well as what those around us believed on issues.


One might think this activity would cause strife among us, or result in judgement and harsh feelings towards our fellow ILLCers. The beauty of the situation, was that this didn't happen. Wonderful points, arguments, opinions, morals, perspectives, and solutions were thrown into the debate. We were able to truly respect one another the entire time. No voices were raised, (as far as I am aware) no feelings were hurt, and no tempers boiled. We and listened, lead and followed. And best of all, we all gained knowledge and perspective on controversial issues. The opportunity to hear the other side of a story is vital to making an educated opinion.

Our ability to share un-inhibited helped us to realize we all share a common goal - making a difference. No matter how big or small the change, we all have a desire to contribute to our world. The fact that so many teenagers, from such a variety of families, cultures, and religions, have each come to such a conclusion and goal on their own is awesome. We each have different ways we desire to make this contribution and change. Some want to become teachers, smilers, listeners, some want to be lawyers, other wish to change the adoption policies, some want to love, share, and empower, I want to adopt children worldwide. Vast differences in approach, one common goal.


This weekend allowed us all to become closer. The beauty is that despite incredibly different beliefs and morals and cultures, we accept and love one another. We have deep and educated discussions. Debating our opinions and beliefs, we are all learning and growing. Our conversations were intense and philosophical, emotional and heartfelt, enthusiastic an wise. A few tears may have been shed, smiles appeared, and I believe we have all grown in some way because of them.


In some people's opinion, Gandhi is over-quoted. Still, I think his famous quote is quite appropriate, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."