Spiritual Autobiography
Madesyn THompson
Disconnection
Definitions
Spirituality
Sense of connection with humanity
During a trip in the summer with UIW, I felt the most spiritual when I was with the group. Making connections with children, adults, and each other was extremely satisfying. Just being down in San Juan, TX gave me a more spiritual feeling than any other place I have lived. When there, we took the time to be mindful every day and discussed what most deeply impacted us at our different activities.
Experiences compassion and empathy with others
Volunteering
Respite Center
Despite being unable to communicate with most of the children resting here, I was still able to connect with them through arts and crafts. Through coloring, puzzle solving, and maze solving, I was able to interact and bond with the children.
La Posada Providencia
While here, my group and I helped to set up soccer goals and packed bags of essential goods. I could feel the empathy the workers had for the people who were staying there.
ARISE Muñiz
While here, we taught and played games with the children. Since we spent a lot of time here, the children were quick to attach themselves to us. Our time there really made me think about how I wanted my future to look.
ARISE San Juan
Despite being in an extremely poor area, the children here were teeming with life and energy. While playing soccer, or making beaded bracelets, or simply enjoying raspas together, I felt connected with these children in a way I never imagined before.
Dorothy Day
Connections
Just as Dorothy Day found volunteering to be fulfilling, I also found it to be very fulfilling in just my one week of service. I cannot imagine what a full life of volunteering and advocacy would feel like.
Searching
I would say that like Dorothy, I am now in the “searching” phase of my life because I am looking for a meaning in which to focus my life in.
What better way to give than to give the gift of knowledge? By becoming a teacher, I am dedicating my life to serving, just as Dorothy did.
Similarities
A thing that Dorothy and I have in common is our scholarliness. She was able to attend the University of Illinois through a scholarship she gained from her academics. Similarly, I am able to attend UIW because of the three scholarships I have.
Dorothy and I also share our rejection of religion. She felt that it would impede her life and she must reject it. I have also rejected religion since I was a teen, but as a child I embraced it more than I do now.