I have been putting off this reflection for awhile now, not because I did not want to write it, but because I did not know how to say it. Moreover as soon as we returned the fast-paced, homework-filled environment took over my brain waves and I wanted to take time to reflect. Even now after applying what I have learned in California, I am not sure how to fully convey the experiences I had while on our Solar Spring Break. Acknowledging the conclusion of this trip and my time at NC State University has been something I have been pushing to the back of my mind, but today I write it down in the hopes of telling everyone that they can make a difference.
One of my best friends had completed two ASB trips and she hadn’t pushed the option on any of us, just mentioned how wonderful it was. I found myself waking up on one Sunday in October with a pull in my heart to go on a service trip. I filled out the application that day. There were only a few days left to apply, only one more information session to attend- I had never considered this before but the pressure to serve on my last spring break was undeniable.
Finding out I had been selected for this trip gave me so much joy, though I wondered how a Fashion Marketing major like myself got chosen out of all the possible sustainable, renewable, engineer focused students who submitted. However, after coming home from this trip I knew I had been there for a reason.
I had expectations of this trip- but they were far exceeded. In any situation of throwing random people together on a team, one would expect a bit of drama or butting heads, but with this trip it was not so (save for the occasional argument over the pronunciation of a certain peanut butter cup). I had expected to be lost on the subject of renewable and solar energy as I was surrounded by many science majors, but the team at GRID explained everything from base to completion, making sure each one of us fully understood the process. I expected to have a great time, but I found myself not wanting to come home as our team made me laugh until I cried and filled every moment with genuine positive energy.
I learned a lot from our daily reflections and group team building which occurred at the end of each day. They forced us to consider the perspectives of others and analyze our defining moments. Each day as we told of our highs and lows I learned more about the people surrounding me and just how much they lived to serve. It was truly illuminating to be so honest about the ultimate peak and valley of our experiences. Two other team activities left an impression on my mind. One evening we were randomly assigned to look at another teammate in silence for three minutes, causing us to reconsider our perceptions. I had many deep chats with my teammate after this period of time, simply because we each took into account the person underneath instead of our initial perceptions. The other building event that had a huge impact on me was sitting around the dinner table sharing compliments, encouragement, and moments of strength from each team member. It may seem selfish, but that experience left me so fulfilled and in awe. I find that people my age can be incredibly hard on themselves, me included, and for others to express their love to you is an impactful experience that brings your soul light.
Our daily activities were a bit different than expected, and indeed each had a high and a low. The first day of service was spent canvassing in a low-income community so that more families could have solar! I was nervous to talk to strangers, but so excited to share this wonderful opportunity. The strangers however, were a lot less excited and I found myself disheartened because we talked to so few of them and they were all pretty negative. The happy, smiling faces of the GRID staff did ease the blow a bit. The second day made up for it as we worked in a community garden and had the opportunity to shadow the GRID staff as they prepared for our upcoming install. By far though my favorite days were those spent on the roof with our team. Every little task was one step closer to a complete solar system that would service these families. It didn’t feel like work at all and our teams worked in synch to teach and encourage each other throughout the day. I’m not sure how to tell you about the energy there on site, but every single person was willing to help with every single task, and that is a compelling energy within itself besides the excitement and happy faces of our team.
My biggest takeaway from this trip is that you can make a difference. The small things you do, the big gestures you make, the time you sacrifice to help others, these things absolutely make a difference, no matter how small. If our team had been composed of even one different member the trip would have been entirely different. I am so grateful for each one of our teammates and feel that each of us have a special bond that I wouldn’t trade for the world. Hearing GRID say the numbers in how much energy and money we saved these families just from two days of work, solidified the difference we made. I am so excited to know that I can make a difference and this trip only filled my heart to continue to service the people and our planet.
