It's been almost two weeks since I learned that I was accepted to the Ride. I've done a lot of reflecting on why I'm doing the Ride, who I'm doing it for, and how I'm going to accomplish what I need to accomplish. I have not reached a definitive conclusion on any of those accounts, and especially not on the third! But I am excited for my life to change over the course of the next six months. I'll write more about my motivations for doing the Ride in the future. For now, I'll talk about what's inspiring me.
This week, my definition of "being inspired" is: Feeling humbled, small, in the face of a larger issue yet believing that I can have a large impact if I work hard enough and sacrifice enough. And feeling grateful.
I'm inspired by the courage of those living with HIV/AIDS and the people attempting to alleviate the suffering caused by it. I'm inspired to join in the efforts to end HIV/AIDS. As I found out this week (week 6 for the quarter system--think midterms, projects, and essays!), however, I need reminders of why I'm doing the Ride to keep me motivated for working out, homework, and sleep deprivation.
My two extra inspirations this week came from two sources. The first was this video about the Adopt a Health Center Campaign for FACE AIDS and the Nyamirama Health Center in Rwanda. Take a look! I hope that after watching the video you'll understand more why I share FACE AIDS' vision for their work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cB-CahQrfAI#!
The second source was a performance I attended on campus on Thursday night. I went to hear a songtalk (a story told through the incorporation of vocal performance) by Bernice Johnson Reagon, an amazing singer, songwriter, scholar, activist, and overall voice of freedom and justice. She also founded the a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock.
I found her performance particularly powerful and moving because I have always been fascinated by the events of the 1950's and 60's era of the Civil Rights Movement, and because of Dr. Reagon's words about the power of youth, particularly college freshmen. As a college freshman myself, I was inspired by the story of the Greensboro Sit-Ins (http://www.northcarolinahistory.org/commentary/299/entry), which were started by four male college freshmen in North Carolina in 1960.
Dr. Reagon told the audience that young people today have to ask themselves what element of our society needs to change in order for humans to live their lives better. HIV/AIDS immediately came to mind, and even though I was exhausted because it was late in the evening, I suddenly became energized and looked forward to doing homework after the performance because I had been reminded of my purpose for my hard work: the goal to complete the Ride this summer.
Cheers!
Nina
