Live and Learn

Ben Sira (Sirach) 14:16-18

"16 Give, and take, and indulge yourself, because in Hades one cannot look for luxury. 17 All living beings become old like a garment, for the decree from of old is, 'You must die!' 18 Like abundant leaves on a spreading tree that sheds some and puts forth others, so are the generations of flesh and blood; one dies and another is born."

When reading this passage from class, I couldn't help but think of the trip I am on. I am 19 and in Greece! And it is such an amazing experience! And reading this passage (verse 16) made me realize even more that I really have to take it all in. I have to experience all that I can while I am here, be adventurous, explore, and take advantage of every opportunity I have. Because if I don't, I will never get the same chance again. There is a lot that I've done here to fully embody this idea:

I have tried Souvlaki and loved my little meal on the go.

I have wandered the streets of Athens, getting lost, finding my way, and stumbling upon a great little shop with a very sweet owner.

I have gotten my hair chopped off by a man that literally does not speak my language and trusted his judgement on the new, Greek hairstyle he was giving me.

I have ridden in the terrifying little elevator in my apartment building.

I have attended a Greek football (American soccer) game and had some of the most fun of the entire trip.

And I have picked several oranges from the trees lining the streets of the city

I have done so much here that I never expected to do and that I do not regret at all.

I have really tried to take this idea to heart and make the most of my trip here with the group, because when I leave, I won't ever get the same experience again.

Life is the same way, I think. Just like the passage (verse 16) above implies, we need to live our lives to the fullest too! We need to take some chances, explore a little, and find some adventure in our every day lives! Because if we don't, then we've just lived a life. That's it. If we don't take advantage of some of the amazing opportunities we have in every day life, then we never really live our lives to the fullest.

Verses 17 and 18 of the passage above also reminded me of this trip. They seem a bit morbid and depressing at first but when I really started thinking about them, all I could think about is what I get to pass on and bring to life in this world once I leave it. In the last few days, our group visited the cemetery here in Athens and it really embodies this idea to me. In the cemeteries here, the grave stones aren't just a sign that someone was buried here but they are a description of the people buried below them; they tell the story of their lives. The people buried in this cemetery have not only put forth children, life, and love but they have also passed down their memories, their traditions, their wisdom. And even though these people have lived and died, they have put forth something, whatever it may be, and something new was born into this world from them. And I find that to be one of the most beautiful things in this world.

But what I think is one of the best things about the experience of visiting this cemetery, for me, is the fact that I can take what I love about this, what I admire, and what I want to pass on and do just that. I can pass on the tradition of burying the body of a loved one as a sign of respect, the tradition that a grave stone says more than just the birth and death dates, or the true love, wisdom, and memories of those that passed away. I can pass that on too.

But I could also pass on this trip. I can leave behind experiential wisdom, stories, history, etc. from this trip, specifically too. Because this trip is not just something I signed up to do during my PLU career but it is now a part of my history and a part of who I am becoming.

And I love that I can pass that on from one generation to the next!

So overall, this passage has really summed up a large theme of this trip, for me.

I have learned so much and really tried to take that and use it to the best of my ability. And so far, I think I'm doing a pretty good job.

-Jess