Life can be thought of as a mosaic of all the people we’ve met and the experiences we’ve had, a vessel - per se - where we impact the lives of those around us as we are also impacted. Three thousand, seven hundred and four weeks is the global average lifespan; when put in those terms, life seems a little briefer than we acknowledge day to day. Time is a funny thing. Hours can be transformed into mere minutes, days are long, years are short, and good things come and go before you even grasp how good they really were. You never know how many moments you get with the people in your life; you never know when the last time you will see someone again will be. We often take for granted all the beautiful souls that we get to interact with. You never know when the flame of a beautiful memory will be snuffed out and turned into nostalgic smoke. How easy it can be to get caught up in it and regret the past and fear the future.

I distinctly remember attending my grandmother’s funeral. Although I was deeply saddened, I was more unsettled, confused, and empty. Death scared me, as it does for most. I experienced losses on a smaller level as some of my closest friends moved away and chapters of my life were forever closed. While these things have evoked some of the saddest emotions from me, they have helped me learn that the brevity of life makes it beautiful. We get but one lifetime - one brief lifetime. I have been inspired to cherish the moments with the people in my life to a much greater extent, and to also search for more ways to positively impact the lives of others.

The time I have spent in my hometown has blessed me with numerous opportunities to do so. Getting involved in my community has allowed me to learn more about the place in which I live and about myself. I have come to believe my time is best spent serving others. If my life is a mosaic, then serving others has added some of the most beautiful colors - whether it has been through tutoring elementary schoolers, volunteering at community events, serving as a Young Life leader for middle school girls, starting a nonprofit and publishing children’s books to educate youth on environmental issues, or assisting individuals affected by disability to have the time of their life at Night to Shine. Despite all of these amazing service opportunities, the experience that has most impacted my perspective on life has been volunteering for a month this past year at a summer camp. I travelled alone to a state I had never been to, not knowing a single person. While it was a giant leap of faith, I was rewarded with amazing friendships, sweet memories, and the opportunity for personal growth. Working in the housekeeping department, my team and I were in charge of cleaning every space on the camp. And while it was hard work, the behind-the-scenes nature of the job allowed us to grow in humility and joy, and it quite literally was the best month of my life. This opportunity, paired with my previous service positions, has taught me to embrace every moment as either a blessing or a lesson.

Looking ahead, I can’t wait to see all the amazing opportunities that await me in the next four years and beyond. I am confident that I will be provided with numerous experiences where I can both impact those around me and be impacted by them. Like a positive feedback loop, I am ever growing, changing, and becoming a more refined version of me. I look forward eagerly to seeing the beautiful piece of art my mosaic will become, knowing that in sharing, serving, and connecting, my life becomes part of the greater tapestry of America.

© Phebe. All rights reserved. If you are interested in quoting this story, contact the national team and we can put you in touch with the author’s teacher.