Living the mission
Abaigael Healy
Issue date: 11/7/08 Section: Features
When you read the safety manual on an airplane it directs you, in an emergency, to first secure your own mask before securing anyone else's. Should we be securing our own mask before securing, say, a child's mask next to us?
I pondered this question when it was asked of me at a mass this past weekend. It got me to think about whether or not I should be taking care of myself before others. Yes, it is important to look out for yourself, strive for the best for yourself and to think for yourself, but is it not the greatest gift to have the ability to help someone else rather than ourselves for a change?
I find that on our campus, competition is fierce. People are determined, and individualism is prominent. All of these are good things, great things, but it is even better when you see someone working to help someone alongside them.
I realized that people do not expect or realize that someone else may be happy to help them and comfort them in any way. At the Canterbury Elementary school this week, I met a boy who told me that both of his parents were deceased. He expressed no emotion, no feeling towards this conversation. I continued to work with the boy as he joined in the craft we were making. I watched as he became filled with joy, curiosity and excitement; the ability to change someone else's day or life in some way is most gratifying work possible.
"Men and women for others" is not only our college's motto but also a way of life. It might seem like a huge time commitment to take an hour out of your day each week to simply talk to someone who is in our community, but the capability to give back is as special as being able to get yourself a great job after college.
As I continue to think through the question posed to me at the mass this past weekend, I cannot help but think that it is necessary to do good for ourselves. At the same time, however, the best thing that we can do is to use our gifts to help others and live the mission.
I pondered this question when it was asked of me at a mass this past weekend. It got me to think about whether or not I should be taking care of myself before others. Yes, it is important to look out for yourself, strive for the best for yourself and to think for yourself, but is it not the greatest gift to have the ability to help someone else rather than ourselves for a change?
I find that on our campus, competition is fierce. People are determined, and individualism is prominent. All of these are good things, great things, but it is even better when you see someone working to help someone alongside them.
I realized that people do not expect or realize that someone else may be happy to help them and comfort them in any way. At the Canterbury Elementary school this week, I met a boy who told me that both of his parents were deceased. He expressed no emotion, no feeling towards this conversation. I continued to work with the boy as he joined in the craft we were making. I watched as he became filled with joy, curiosity and excitement; the ability to change someone else's day or life in some way is most gratifying work possible.
"Men and women for others" is not only our college's motto but also a way of life. It might seem like a huge time commitment to take an hour out of your day each week to simply talk to someone who is in our community, but the capability to give back is as special as being able to get yourself a great job after college.
As I continue to think through the question posed to me at the mass this past weekend, I cannot help but think that it is necessary to do good for ourselves. At the same time, however, the best thing that we can do is to use our gifts to help others and live the mission.
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