Why.
Why are you going back?
I've gotten this question so many times and some people just get it and some people just don't. That's okay. I don't need everyone's approval to know this is exactly what I am supposed to be doing.
I think ultimately the answer is the same now as it was when I left Microsoft to join the Peace Corps - because there, and here at my current position with Disney, the bottom line is I am working to make rich people richer. Yes, Disney and Microsoft and other for-profit companies can and do amazing things with their influence and capital, but really... ultimately, the accumulation of my work, time given, stress felt, and projects completed is for the purpose of making rich people richer.
In Africa, no matter what I am doing it's for a purpose greater than myself, greater than money or prestige or honor or the accumulation of toys. When I was on the Africa Mercy last year I spent the great majority of my working hours cleaning up after people and listening to complaints - but it was necessary and vital in the grand scheme of things, and through that I got to play a part in the life-changing work that Mercy Ships does every single day.
Someone asked me why I don't get a good paying job (because I certainly could, was implied) and then donate all the money I wanted to other do-gooders. Well... I just can't do that. I need to be in the trenches, making a difference. It's what I was created to do, it's where I come alive, it's what I live for. I would rather not live than not do this. How's that for conviction, passion, calling?
So please, please, please. Don't try to talk me out of it. It will only leave me frustrated. Please try to see my heart. I'm not just looking for the next fun thing, avoiding responsibilities by NOT having a husband, family, house, mortgage.... (Yes, this has been implied by more than one person...) Rather, I have a bigger responsibility to live the life I was created to live. Anything else is just... meaningless.
k
Why are you going back?
I've gotten this question so many times and some people just get it and some people just don't. That's okay. I don't need everyone's approval to know this is exactly what I am supposed to be doing.
I think ultimately the answer is the same now as it was when I left Microsoft to join the Peace Corps - because there, and here at my current position with Disney, the bottom line is I am working to make rich people richer. Yes, Disney and Microsoft and other for-profit companies can and do amazing things with their influence and capital, but really... ultimately, the accumulation of my work, time given, stress felt, and projects completed is for the purpose of making rich people richer.
In Africa, no matter what I am doing it's for a purpose greater than myself, greater than money or prestige or honor or the accumulation of toys. When I was on the Africa Mercy last year I spent the great majority of my working hours cleaning up after people and listening to complaints - but it was necessary and vital in the grand scheme of things, and through that I got to play a part in the life-changing work that Mercy Ships does every single day.
Someone asked me why I don't get a good paying job (because I certainly could, was implied) and then donate all the money I wanted to other do-gooders. Well... I just can't do that. I need to be in the trenches, making a difference. It's what I was created to do, it's where I come alive, it's what I live for. I would rather not live than not do this. How's that for conviction, passion, calling?
So please, please, please. Don't try to talk me out of it. It will only leave me frustrated. Please try to see my heart. I'm not just looking for the next fun thing, avoiding responsibilities by NOT having a husband, family, house, mortgage.... (Yes, this has been implied by more than one person...) Rather, I have a bigger responsibility to live the life I was created to live. Anything else is just... meaningless.
k
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