Disclaimer: As I write these words, I am in the middle of Texas (between El Paso and San Antonio) after more than 15 hours of enlightening, intense and humbling learning experiences with the MTP class of 2015. So yes, I am extremely tired, but my desire to share these feelings goes beyond my body entering autopilot mode.
Unlike my uncle, I have never run a marathon (he has run the LA Marathon 26 times), but MTP certainly feels like a mental marathon. As Amy Wilkinson, author of, “The Creator’s Code,” and one of our MTP mentors would put it: There is just no time to look back. If we think that we have 9 more days to go, we will collapse. If we think about the distances that we have had to cross to come this far and that the goal is near, we will succeed.
I was supposed to write about my experience in Los Angeles instead of what I’m writing now but don’t worry, I will. Extensively.
For now, my objective is to paint a simple picture of what MTP has been for me after a little less than two full days of the journey.
Firstly, it has been one of the most humbling experiences of my life to be surrounded with incredibly talented Millennials that are doing amazing things for their communities, cities and countries. From artists to techies; to foodies and storytellers, everyone has a unique story. But ultimately, they are human beings, that enjoy singing and dancing, learning and sharing, just like me and you. All of the participants are aware that they are not saviors of their communities and groups, but mere facilitators of the change that the people that they work with will generate for themselves.
The second stroke of this pedestrian painting of what MTP has been so far is the vehicle that serves as a symbol of what millennials are about. Bringing together the old and the new, this train is transporting us on a journey not only throughout deserts, cities and mountains, but through time and history.
It is difficult to pick which one of the two aspects I have described very briefly in this note is more humbling.
All I know is I am very fortunate to be here.
Stay tuned to the Fulbright-MTP blog for entries from the other five participants! Follow the journey @FulbrightPrgrm and @MillennialTrain!
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As Robert Kennedy used to say as he crisscrossed America seeking the presidency and an end to the Vietnam Nam War: “Some men see things as they are and ask “why?”. I prefer to see things as they never were and ask, “why not?”.
Bon Voyage