Blog #42: Caring is Cool!

I've had so many conversations with friends from my program about how everything at Christ University is done with care, with passion, with zeal. From being a totally zero-waste campus(1), to the exhibitions and festivals that seem to constantly be taking place, both students and staff pour themselves into making Christ University a better place.

This has been so refreshing, as I feel like a wave of apathy has washed over the United States' education system. There seems to less of a focus on learning, and more of a focus on obtaining a degree. Students, and often faculty, seem to not really care that much about anything they do, but instead are satisfied with the bare minimum. C's get degrees!

(I'm of course making a broad generalization with this, as I have personally experienced wonderful students and faculty who are dedicated to and passionate about the work they do. But, on a larger scale, this doesn't seem to be as common).

I'm thinking about this because I have the great opportunity to dance in a university dance festival that's happening this weekend, and today was our first rehearsal to stage the show. Each beautiful dance was complemented by an equally beautiful handmade set and props, and 100 or more students were passionately dancing for hours as we rehearsed over and over. Passion and care and interest exuded from everyone involved. Everyone wanted to be there, wanted to create a breathtaking show.

Perhaps I may seem dramatic, but I've honestly never seen anything like this in the United States. In place of passion, I often observe apathy. In place of enthusiasm, I often see disregard.

It's not "cool" where I'm from to really care about something. Here, it's the coolest thing to do. I love this.

Not only is it invigorating to be surrounded by people who are enthusiastic about what they're doing, but it makes daily life more exciting and fulfilling. When students are excited to share their knowledge, I can learn so much from them. When students put time and effort into creating an epic dance or choir performance, I'm mesmerized and filled with joy as I get to watch them be their happiest selves on stage. It's just more interesting, and more fun, when people genuinely care about what they're doing and they work hard for it!

Of the many things I've loved about my time here in India so far, this has definitely been one of my favorites. Indian people are whole-ass type of people; they never half-ass anything. I admire this.

Maybe one day I will be better at saying no and be better at saying yes only to the things I am most passionate about, that way I can pour myself into them the way students here seem to do. To anyone who's reading this, I hope you do the same!

Let's make it cool to care again.

1) http://www.thealternative.in/lifestyle/sustainable-campuses-5-ways-christ-university-makes-sure-waste-recycled/