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'Crossing Over' is a phrase used to described the transition from life to death. Crossing over into the great beyond. Crossing over to the other realm. I wanted to use these two words in a conjoined fashion to intensify my propostion: Crossing over can be mechanism we use in life. This transition has nothing to do with departing from life, it has everything to do with departing from the self. One's own self. Himself, herself, me, I, ego and my.
It has come to my attention through observation of the student population at St. Michael's, as well as general findings, that we are a bit self-involved. Obviously, we all need to be so to a certain extent. We live our own lives, we breathe through the only set of lungs that we have, we try to make it in this very cruel world, as is sometimes universaly cliched. There are times however, that this self involvement becomes blantant and just plain destructive. It creates small mindedness in people that have the capacity for expansive mindsets, as to range the ideals that we build from our lives' experience, morals and ethics, if any that we learn from a structured society.
I find at times in the Peace and Justice club, of which I am an active member and leader, that some people will just walk right by you at a table outside of Alliot when you speak aloud the resounding awful words: 'Genocide in Sudan,' 'Starving Children,' 'Homeless Citizens,' an 'unjust war' (which is my interpretation of course,) and an 'environment that is not being respected.' Some students will walk and ignore a cry for help through the liason of the Peace and Justice club and other clubs that ask a moments time, for someone else, somewhere else, other than themselves.
The people that I have encountered this year in the Peace and Justice club are some of the most selfless people that I have ever met. Their generosity rings true in every room that they light up. I have been a witness to students that will give up their relaxation time at breakfast so they may sign people up to attend peace vigils. I have seen with my own eyes, and heard with my own ears, these selfless students, say "Maggie, I just feel like I am not doing enough." I shake my head at their humility. I smile and put my arm on that person's shoulder, looking in their eyes, and say kindly "you do more than your fair share, more than I or anyone could ever ask for."
These individuals have crossed over. I feel their souls, and they have not even departed from this earth yet. I then become frustrated with those that cannot give a decent moment in their day. "I'm busy." "Leave me alone." "No." It takes all my strength to not lash out or say something smart-alecky, which unfortunately I have a tendency to do. I am learning to better myself in that way, however. Patience, I tell myself. Patience, I tell the club. There is a reason it's a virtue.
I become disillusioned when a girl or boy or man or women does not utilize all the gifts that he or she is given. One of these gifts found at the cross roads of both our mind and our spirit is the gift of sensitivity, a gift that may translate into empathy for all human beings. There is a process, however, to crossing over in life. Crossing over to the selfless rather than the selfish. Crossing over into love. Where do you start?
I found that mediation, a time slot out of your busy day, may provide some solace. It is a time for introspection and balance. Read into what mediations you may enjoy. Mine is one of prayful mindfulness through the rosary, and sometimes I frequent my dear friend Jen Kerns' meditation exercises at the Women's Center and at the upper room of the chapel. Meditation may be open to your own interpretation, so these are just a few of my suggestions.
I also suggest making eye contact with all souls that you come into contact with. Do not demonstrate your own insecurity, which is at the root of self-involvement. You are special. You have gifts, hold your head up high. I believe also that you should not cover up the natural beauty that you have been given. Be kind to yourself, be at peace with yourself, do not define yourself through titles. You are not a punk, or a hippie, or a preppie, you are not a nerd, a loser, or weird. You are you.
After a while you will start to feel pretty good about yourself. You will find that what is most important in life are the relationships that you make with others: friendly, professional, romantic, familial. We all need people. We need each other. Solitude is beauitful, but so is shaking a hand or hugging someone you care about. And start smiling! Life really isn't that bad. Really, I promise.
When we understand and internalize these human connections, we begin to recognize the beauty of the soul. When we recognize the beauty of the intangible within our beings, we start to love. We start to love! We start to love ourselves, and love all human beings! We start to realize the lives lost overseas are comparable to lives lost of people we could have known, could have loved. We realize that time is not money. Time is precious. Taking a few minutes to stop by the Peace and Justice table outside of Alliot to help out others is imperative.
Do not become immersed in the material. Do not focus yourself around the televsion or escapist drugs. Read the great classic novels. Become learned. We are not a lost generation. You can cross over. You can. You can reach out, because you are special, but so is that starving child in Africa, or those victims of genocide in Dafur, or those killed in Iraq. So make that connection, make it and keep it for the rest of your life. Come see evidence of this at the Peace and Justice club meetings every Monday at 6:30 in Eddie's Lounge, upstairs in Alliot. Cross over, friend, you can, and hopefully you will.
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