Atlanta, GA 1 - Urban Issues (Post 4)

Another day, another success. Today, Wednesday, was a turning point in the trip for me. Both literally and metaphorically. Our two groups switched jobs today, and mine ended up at the Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency. Even though our job description today changed from cooking to book-keeping, it was absolutely no less meaningful. Sitting in on the mock-interview debriefing and hearing just how positive and inspirational these volunteers were pretty much solidified my decision to devote a chunk of my time every week (even if it's just a little) to give back to the community. It wasn't just the volunteers motivational speeches either that justified my decision. Seeing just how hard these people were trying to learn how to get a job, and seeing how even though they may be on the bottom rung of society they still maintained a positive attitude as well as the confidence that I believe is essential to a happy life really made me feel that what we are doing here is really working. I've always thought that I am the kind of person who works behind the scenes, and that human interaction in these types of situations really wasn't for me, but this trip (today especially) has shown me that human interaction was what I was made for. I'm actually disappointed that we only have one more day of service! Is this experience the typical 'life-changing' time that I've heard so much about? No, I don't think it is. It hasn't changed my life's purpose. It's revealed my life's purpose.