First World Problems…Or Maybe Everyone’s Problem

The summer of 2000 was full of new experiences for me.  Give me a second to adjust to the fact that was 20 years ago.  Man, time flies!!!  Anyways, I had been accepted into Arkansas Governor’s School in the area of drama.  My stepfather had worked there during the summers for as long as I could remember.  Because the environment was familiar, I was more comfortable with applying.  We will not talk about my audition and the audition process, but rest assured that I left it all there in front of the panel.  I packed my bags and got ready to spend six weeks learning new acting techniques and meeting new people.

Arkansas Governor’s School was only open to students going into their senior year of high school.  Hundreds of students from around the state lived at Hendrix College in Conway.  Really, it was a great opportunity to get my feet wet for the college experience. 

The classes were different from any class that I took in high school.  AND the teachers wanted us to call them by their first names.  Look, I was raised by folks that did not let you walk around calling adults by their first names.  Saying “Hey Linda!” to an instructor just did not sit right with me.  I am fairly certain that I avoided using my instructors names.

Although many moments stand out in my mind from that summer, one memory surfaced just this week.  A food memory.  Ya’ll know how I feel about food.  Lunch time was upon us.  Part of the purpose of the program was to expand our minds.  To help us see beyond ourselves and consider the world at large.  Food shortage is a concern for many people in America and is also a concern for people across the world.

Each year, they would take one day to show the students how food availability varied for people.  We were assigned to either a first, second or third world nation.  When we ate that day, we were only able to eat based on resources that would typically be available for that nation.  First world nations had no restrictions.  Second world nations had fewer options, and third world nations were offered the bare minimum.  I do not even remember which tier I was assigned, but I do remember looking around at different people’s plates and feeling sad.

Such a simple concept.  To think outside of ourselves but often we cannot do it unless it is right in front of our face.  Unless we are personally impacted by it.  Lord, deliver me from that mindset.  Help me to be thoughtful of what other people are going through.  I do not always want situations to have to land at my front door before I realize how important they are.  #wepreach