What Live United Means to Me . . . TAMMY!!!
Since we first arrived at the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus people have been asking us Alternative Spring Breakers... "What does 'Live United' mean to you?" I listened to what everyone else thought it meant to them, and was frustrated that I couldn't come up with an answer of my own. It wasn't until today when I was with my group (team 1) working on our site (Vista Maria) that it finally hit me!!!! Everyone experiences "Live United" in there own way, at different times, for different reasons. My own personal experience of "Live United" was one that I will remember for the rest of my life...
In the middle of a dusty, dirty, broke-down, sweaty boiler room I took a second to stop sweeping a floor that was buried under rust and chipped paint. While watching my team work flawlessly together I realized that there was absolutely NO other place I would want to spend my spring break. Just in my 10 member team we have poeple from Michigan, Mississippi, Florida, Deleware, and even Canada (I learned the Canadian National Anthem today). We are American, Portirican, Indian, Asian, Arabic, and Afican American. After getting to know my team better I found that we are even diverse in our religions coming from Protestant, non Christian, Morman, Catholic, and others. Even with all of our vast differences our group still manages to have an amazing work dynamic. We have all come to Detroit with the common goal to help the community and share that love that we have of doing for others. This one common interest that we share as a group outways all of our differences combine. The fact that we can set aside our differences, and forget about our own self interest for one week shows me that it is possible for ANYONE to unite when the common good for others is at hand.
It is not something that can be understood by listening to a speaker, or someone who has been there. The true meaning of "Live United" is something that you need to put an effort in, work for, and experience for yourself. "Live United" can only be realized by those who can not only put differences aside for one week, but by those who are able to make it a lifestyle...
"Live United!!"
Tammy Russell
In the middle of a dusty, dirty, broke-down, sweaty boiler room I took a second to stop sweeping a floor that was buried under rust and chipped paint. While watching my team work flawlessly together I realized that there was absolutely NO other place I would want to spend my spring break. Just in my 10 member team we have poeple from Michigan, Mississippi, Florida, Deleware, and even Canada (I learned the Canadian National Anthem today). We are American, Portirican, Indian, Asian, Arabic, and Afican American. After getting to know my team better I found that we are even diverse in our religions coming from Protestant, non Christian, Morman, Catholic, and others. Even with all of our vast differences our group still manages to have an amazing work dynamic. We have all come to Detroit with the common goal to help the community and share that love that we have of doing for others. This one common interest that we share as a group outways all of our differences combine. The fact that we can set aside our differences, and forget about our own self interest for one week shows me that it is possible for ANYONE to unite when the common good for others is at hand.
It is not something that can be understood by listening to a speaker, or someone who has been there. The true meaning of "Live United" is something that you need to put an effort in, work for, and experience for yourself. "Live United" can only be realized by those who can not only put differences aside for one week, but by those who are able to make it a lifestyle...
"Live United!!"
Tammy Russell
