I have recently joined Rotary in an effort to meet people who have a passion for supporting others  and maintaining a focus on doing their part to make the world more peaceful.  During our meeting, a group of 16-17 year old Juniors from Fordson High School, in Dearborn, Michigan,  presented their findings about a recent adventure they experienced.  This group of high school students have re-ignited a high school club of ‘Junior Rotarians’ through the program, INTERACT.

This club of young men and women decided to raise funds to travel to a remote village in the Dominican Republic and spend a number of days supporting the construction of a new school, delivering basic necessities for personal care and hygiene to the village and they interacted with the local villagers, orphanages and embraced a number of powerful experiences.

As one of the presenters shared his experiences through the trip, he had a tone in his discussion that made me think.  He talked about how he’ll impact the world when he “grows up” and that the work he may do as “an adult” could add value.  It made me think because he had an almost apologetic tone in his voice, as if he wasn’t truly adding value yet, but maybe the value would be more impactful as he became more adult’esque in his 20’s, 30’s, or 40’s.

To this young man (and his friends) - I say you are amazing, right now!  He (and his classmates) are the definition of ‘paperclip thinkers’, as they were inspired to add value and they found a solution to support what others wanted and they did it by collaboration with their friends, families and community.  Tip of the hat to all of you!  They have done more “humanitarian” work at 16 & 17 than I have at 44, so again, to this group at Fordson...please remain on your course (you are inspiring, to me).

Equally inspiring were the lessons I took from hearing their experience:

Happiness is a choice: no technology, no clean water, no paved roads, no air conditioning, no luxuries and what the students from Fordson noticed, the people they encountered were genuinely peaceful, smiling and loving.  They were choosing to love and be happy.  How many ways could we choose to be happy?

Creativity supports happiness:  no Toys’R’Us, no Gamestop, no Pistons/Lions/Red Wings games and certainly, no apps.  The students noticed the children of the village and orphanage they supported finding ways to play outside with rocks, sticks (and each other) and again, they smiled, were peaceful and showed love, to everyone, while creating and innovating games and fun.  How many times, today, could we be more creative?

It makes me smile (inside and out) when I experience the energy that people create.  It is an inspiration, which can be used in our daily lives, with our careers, with our friends & family.  The choices we make shape the energy we generate and these young men and women are shaping some magical energy!  #paperclipthinkers