"Fairfax Gardens,"
© James Fan
Take Care of Your World
My name's Lisa, and I
go to Minnetonka High School
Tryng2BMe@aol.com
I'd like to answer that, if you really
like, however, I hope you're aware that I'm IN the next generation, I'm
14. If I can still be of assistance, I'd love to help.
First of all,
can you just say,
"What would you
tell the next generation?
Well, let's see. I'd probably
say to take care of your world in all areas. Preserve what little
is left of nature. Clean up your own messes. Make love, not
war. Be responsible, but don't be afraid to have fun. Don't
oppress others - by denying them freedom, you are chaining yourself by
the same rules. Stay open-minded - no one ever got anywhere better
by standing still or moving backwards. And never, ever forget what
it's all about - love, acceptance and understanding.
The single most influential experience
upon my life would have to be attending Camp Warren [YMCA Summer Camp].
It is a nurturing, loving, accepting community free from judgment and oppression,
and I've never been as happy or as free as I am there. I've learned
to do as much as I can to make my world mimic that for the time I must
be away from it.
What have you
learned from other
people's mistakes?
I'd say the biggest thing I've learned
is to seize the day. I've seen and been told of so many wasted lives
as well as had the examples set of what one can do with the time they're
given, and I'm determined not to waste the time I'm granted on earth.
If you could
retrace your steps,
what would you
change?
I would take even more chances and pour
every ounce of my heart into everything I did. I would hug people
more and tell them I love them. I would savor each day without worrying
about the future or overanalyzing the past. I'd just love the fact
that I am alive more.
What event or
person touched
your
heart? What affect
did it have on
you?
My best friend Tina's very untimely
death affected me terribly. She as a person more than touched my
heart; she left a never fading imprint upon it. Again, it just made
me value my life that much more, and realize how very vulnerable we are
as a species.
What events most
influenced your
spiritual growth?
My spiritual growth has come less from
events as total experiences. My camp experiences are definitely the
most influential, followed closely by my friendship with Tina, her death,
and the realization and acceptance of certain parts of myself.
GFC Page-000,00,037
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This is society's quintessential question. Can you answer,