By: Megan Fair
Almost two years ago I arrived in the Queen Alia International airport in Amman, Jordan filled with trepidation, anxiety, and, what at the time, felt like the beginnings of ulcers from all the stress. I was turning the page on a new chapter in my life, stretching my comfort zone more than I ever had before and imagining disaster at every turn. After finally finagling my way through security and somehow locating my luggage after four connections, three countries, and two continents, I was ready for a nervous breakdown. But just as I could feel the corners of my eyes falling into the crazy twitches I saw this quote painted in three foot letters across the wall of the arrivals area: “Success is not a place you reach but the spirit with which one sets out on and continues the journey”. Instantly, my mindset was changed, when I met my program director a few minutes later there was no sign of the mortified girl that had been, only a warm smile and the confidence of one with a spirit ready for whatever journey was in store.
And so it is with this memory and this mindset that I am preparing for my last few days with the American Friends Service Committee: Area Office of the Carolinas. My “success” while here at AFSC was not measured by any project I finished but by the spirit in which I set off to complete the work. The time that I have spent here has shown me that such a spirit is what truly matters in any part of your life. As I set out on the next part of my journey I am leaving this office, these people, this work, with a nourished, vibrant spirit; my experiences at the AFSC have set me up for a future of success.
I have had a variety of experiences in the year that I have been interning with the AFSC. Throughout all of these different projects and tasks the passion of those around me has always been the same. Whether I was designing flyers, planning events, lobbying local congressional leaders, or making copies, there was always a sense that what I was doing mattered, that I was an important part of this organization. This is one of the many aspects of the AFSC that makes it unique and a true pleasure to work with.
The AFSC has taught me more than I could even begin to list here. I have mastered all of those silly software do-dads that my technologically challenged self had previously written off as a lost cause. I can turn any three page document into one page with just the slightest of adjustments of the margins. I can write reports, newsletters, and blog entries. I can design posters, have them printed and post them in the span of days. I can plan events that people actually attend and are impacted by. I can develop relationships between organizations and strengthen grassroots movements working on a variety of issues. The copy machine is now my friend and the word “budget” no longer sends chills down my spine. I also now know that if you bring food they will come and you should save your work often.
I could go on for days, and I am not exaggerating I am known for being wordy, about what I have learned while here at the AFSC. But all of those new or honed skills pale in comparison to the many amazing people I have met and the strong relationships that I have formed over the past year. My fellow interns have taught me more than I can share; I will always admire their passion and zest for changing the world while juggling the instabilities of being young. The AFSC staff have guided, challenged and supported me more than I thought was humanely possible. They have dealt with my many mistakes with poise, pushed me to do more than I thought I was capable of, laughed with me (and sometimes at me), confirmed my strengths and abilities, and provided me with the perfect role models.
These are trying times, outlooks often look grim and results seem slim, but I must reiterate that one of the best things the AFSC has left me with is the spirit to set out and continue on my journey. I am thankful for everyone that I have encountered through this organization. I recognize that no one person or group of people knows the best route on the journey, but if we remember that it is not about the destination but rather the spirit in which we travel we will find success.
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