So I decided to sum up the rest of my class reflections in one entry. I can’t believe that this semester and this class is practically over! These past few weeks there have been some readings that I admit I didn’t get to but look forward to reading this summer. I especially can’t wait to finish reading the last chapter of The Spell of the Sensuous. Though I don’t have much in the way of reading responses for this last entry, I’d like to reflect on some guest speakers and the Wednesday classes in general. The class after the one loaded with science themes, we went on a field trip, first to Whitted Bowers Farm and then to Maia’s house in Efland.
Whitted Bowers Farm is one of the few bio-dynamic farms in the south east U.S. and it is run by the sweetest couple, Rob and Cheri Bowers. Cheri had actually gone to high school with Maia and they had reconnected at a high school reunion. It was fascinating hearing about this type of farming and each of their vocational journeys. Rob talked about how he used to work in legal positions for nonprofits, but how even though he was great at it, and it sounded good in theory, he really didn’t fill fulfilled, he didn’t like his job. Finally after he had met Cheri and they had a child they both decided that they really wanted to own and work on a self-sustainable bio-dynamic farm. So they went for it. Rob emphasized that living densely is what is rewarding. Cheri also told her story. Her’s was a little different in that she had pretty much always followed her heart in her vocational journey. It was interesting hearing about the diversity of jobs and experiences she had encountered. After we got a tour of the farm, we got to go to Maia’s house and eat a spaghetti dinner. It was really fun. I love her small wooden house in the middle of the woods. I want a house like that some day.
The next week was my last class out in the woods (I sadly missed the final class as I was busy painting for my senior art thesis show). I became rather nostalgic sitting around with my classmates realizing how much I had come to like and appreciate each one of them, and how I was going to miss meeting them in the woods every Wednesday. Our guest speaker was really cool, but for the life of me I can’t remember her name…. She was a Guilford graduate, around 27, bright and full of life. She talked to us about her first experiences after graduation where she was a manager at the Whole Foods grocery store across the street from Guilford. She told us that she felt bad about herself that she wasn’t working for a nonprofit or doing something in the spirit of Guilford. Even though eventually she got a new job and has since then started up her own non-profit called Face-to-Face, she told us that there is nothing wrong with working as a manager at Whole Foods for a few years or forever, that you don’t have to define yourself solely by your work. Now working at an insurance company, she gave us some good advice about personal finances after we graduate. She encouraged us to start saving for retirement and to set financial goals.
Reflecting on this class in general, I think it has made me much more ready to face the adventure that will come after college. Whereas before I would just fear it, now I’m curious about it. What will I make it? How do I want to live my life? I don’t have to figure that out the day after I graduate but I think I have gained some important tools which I can use to analyze my life as I live it. In the words of Socrates: “The unexamined life is a life not worth living.” I agree and I look into the future with bright eyes and an open mind.
In the spirit of spontaneity I would like to end my reflection with some pictures my roommate Megan and I took the other night. We were both working on school work and Megan looks over to the window and exclaims: “Look at those clouds!” I did and the sunset was beautiful. We both hurried to get our shoes on, grabbed my camera, and ran outside. In the wind under the falling sun we took pictures. It was joy. We were being idle and blessed as poet Mary Oliver would say. If she were to ask me, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” I would reply, to try everyday to see it and experience it as such.
