As I sit on the lightrail leaving ASU's Tempe campus, I look out the window. I see a group of buildings, a skyline if you will, that is unique to ASU and represents a community. I not only look at the whole but individual buildings as well. Each building has a story, whether it is historical or contemporary, the story is there. For instance, I see an old church that has clearly seen its fair share of wear and tear, but its still standing representing history. Then I see newer buildings whose stories are just beginning.
Then, please try to follow this metaphor, I parallel the buildings in the city to people in a community. If the buildings were not there, all but one, it would not define ASU. It would merely be a building serving its own purpose; it may be appealing to the eye, but it is selfish, not a part of anything. This is how we as humands are when we are alone, our only real accomplisment or purpose is for ourselves. However, when we are surrounded by others, like the buildings at ASU, we become a part of something more, a community! At ASU, the buildings do not simply serve their own purpose. For instance, some may have classes, offices, and research labs all at the same time. Each building also has a wide variety of subjects and disciplines taught there. They are all interconnected in a way that allows for support and growth of the community. This is true for us as well. When we surround ourselves with others, we are able to support each other and live for a purpose far beyond what we would be alone. We all become interconnected in this web that creates a unique community. All the individuals have a unique quality that contributes to the overall community. If one person wasn't there, if one building were demolished, it would result in a drastic change in the community. If one person wasn't there, if one building was demolished, it would create a drastic change in the community. If you see someone deteriorating, renovate them, don't demolish them. You want to build the community up, not tear it down.
Now, I see two buildings, new towers that considerably dwarf any and all buildings around them. They are grand, new, exciting buildings that were built and left to rot (the contractors ran out of money). They are amazing on the outside, but the inside is used for no purpose; they are empty. I think a lot of times we see this in our own communities, we see these new and exciting people who seem good, attractive even, but on this inside, they are alone and hurting, stuck in limbo. The sad thing is that not many people know of this hurt inside, they just look and see a pretty, smiling face and that's it. All they need is a purpose, they need people to transform them, someone to step up and invest in them. Don't hesitate to be that person to give them a purpose before they get torn down by the world.
Then, please try to follow this metaphor, I parallel the buildings in the city to people in a community. If the buildings were not there, all but one, it would not define ASU. It would merely be a building serving its own purpose; it may be appealing to the eye, but it is selfish, not a part of anything. This is how we as humands are when we are alone, our only real accomplisment or purpose is for ourselves. However, when we are surrounded by others, like the buildings at ASU, we become a part of something more, a community! At ASU, the buildings do not simply serve their own purpose. For instance, some may have classes, offices, and research labs all at the same time. Each building also has a wide variety of subjects and disciplines taught there. They are all interconnected in a way that allows for support and growth of the community. This is true for us as well. When we surround ourselves with others, we are able to support each other and live for a purpose far beyond what we would be alone. We all become interconnected in this web that creates a unique community. All the individuals have a unique quality that contributes to the overall community. If one person wasn't there, if one building were demolished, it would result in a drastic change in the community. If one person wasn't there, if one building was demolished, it would create a drastic change in the community. If you see someone deteriorating, renovate them, don't demolish them. You want to build the community up, not tear it down.
Now, I see two buildings, new towers that considerably dwarf any and all buildings around them. They are grand, new, exciting buildings that were built and left to rot (the contractors ran out of money). They are amazing on the outside, but the inside is used for no purpose; they are empty. I think a lot of times we see this in our own communities, we see these new and exciting people who seem good, attractive even, but on this inside, they are alone and hurting, stuck in limbo. The sad thing is that not many people know of this hurt inside, they just look and see a pretty, smiling face and that's it. All they need is a purpose, they need people to transform them, someone to step up and invest in them. Don't hesitate to be that person to give them a purpose before they get torn down by the world.
