U.S.: Celebrate Me Week

Indescribable is the only word which I can think of that best describes the past week.

This was my 5th year volunteering at a week-long summer camp for incoming 7th graders; a little thing called Celebrate Me Week. In my current state I find myself exhausted, drained, and unmotivated to "take care of business in the real world." However, every ounce of energy which I put into being an on-site director during the past week was completely worth it. Why, you ask? 

Knowing you made a difference in somebody's life, even if it was just for one person, contains more value than basically anything. Watching the transformation in each camper gets me every time; they typically go from being timid, unsure, and insecure, to being confident in themselves and full of love. It also amazes me that even though I only spend one week a year with the other CMW staff members, they seem to know me better than most people I interact with on the other 347 days of each year. I am able to re-discover who I am through my relationships with these friends. 

I also learn new things and re-learn old things each year. This year a fellow staff member informed me that the Hebrew root is the same for the words "work" and "worship." When you are presented with more opportunities to work, consider them more opportunities to worship. This is a good thing to remind yourself at times when a workload may seem overwhelming. 

Other camp-inspired words to live by: 

- It's your responsibility to have a good day. 

- Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.  

- There is no normal. Normal is just a cycle on the washing machine. 

- We can make a difference in this world. We can. We will. We must.