So far on this project, I have been challenged by the language barrier between myself and the kiddos and with wanting to control all of the details of how certain tasks get done. However, the chance to work with these kiddos and see the joy and happiness that is brought into their lives by what we are doing has reminded me to keep my mind on the big picture.
As a leader, it has helped me to grow by showing me that not everything can always be controlled- especially when you have 15 really excited kids that speak a different language than you all trying to help you paint something for their playground- but that is ok. It is perfectly, beautifully ok.
Sometimes as a leader, you have to embrace the mess because you can see the bigger picture and realize that some things are more important than perfection. As a leader on this project, I have learned it is more important to keep my eye on the bigger picture of promoting the use of recycling to clean up the environment and educate the community about ways to reuse their waste. In addition, we are giving the kiddos a place to play and imagine and have fun, both now while they are helping us create it, and long after we have left because these wonderful creations will still remain.
No one is going to worry about whether or not the zebra’s stripes we painted are perfectly symmetrical. But they will remember the memories and be thankful for the difference we have made in their community.
