#learningservice

[nexoscomunitarios-blog]

DO YOU HAVE A "WHY" TO LIVE?

By Leitter Omar León (Faculty of Psychology, University of Piura)

Have you ever wondered if you really live or just exist? Living involves doing what you want, what makes you happy, and growing as a person. It means getting up every morning and trying to do what makes your soul vibrate, in short, finding meaning in your life. On the contrary, existing refers to the mere fact of being in the world by chance, without having a purpose for living. It is like eating simply to satisfy hunger, but not to become nutritionally enriched or to stay healthy. Living gives you the possibility of realizing yourself as a person, of achieving human flourishing, and, above all, of transcending, that is, going beyond the everyday and making a difference or leaving a mark.

It is said that you only live once, but from my point of view and based on my experience, I am convinced that you live more than once. You live every time you smile with your family or friends, when you watch that movie you like so much, when you go to watch a game of your favorite team, when you enjoy nature, or when you travel and acquire new experiences. Regarding the latter, I will briefly tell you about a volunteer service that I did last February, in which I decided to experience more than one occasion.

Thanks to a collaboration between different institutions—the University of Piura, Nexos Comunitarios, and the Soqtapata project—I had the pleasure of visiting the conservation project, a natural reserve located in the jungle of Cusco. This trip gave me the great opportunity to meet very varied, wonderful people with human values. For almost a week, we lived together as a family, taking care of each other, sharing almost the same meals, sleeping under the same roof, and delighting in the exquisite singing of the birds and the pleasant sound of the river.

At first, I felt that the days were going to be eternal due to the remoteness of the place, which caused me great wear and tear (I traveled from Cajamarca), and because the fear of not getting used to the environment began to invade me. However, the day after arriving in Soqtapata, I felt more energetic and decided that I was going to live and enjoy everything that surrounded us. From breakfast, which, like all meals, was always delicious, I had the feeling I was going to enjoy it, and I did. Everything I knew made my soul vibrate and brought me peace, such as the incredible waterfalls, the imposing trees, the beauty of the plants and animals, added to the exciting stories that the Pilares family told us.

The following days followed the same line, full of adventures and enriching conversations that allowed us to value and appreciate each other's presence. Without a doubt, they were spaces full of learning and moments that I will always remember. Because living also means opening up and giving yourself to others, allowing them to enter and leave a mark on you. This program awakened in me that desire to continue exploring and learning about other realities, which I am sure will contribute to my human growth. A new "why" to live has emerged in me.

[nexoscomunitarios-blog]

¿TIENES UN PORQUÉ PARA VIVIR?

Por Leitter Omar León (Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Piura)

¿Alguna vez te has preguntado si realmente vives o simplemente existes? Vivir implica hacer lo que deseas, lo que te hace feliz y crecer como persona. Significa levantarte cada mañana e intentar hacer aquello que te hace vibrar el alma, en definitiva, encontrarle un sentido a tu vida. Por el contrario, existir se refiere al mero hecho de estar en el mundo por azar, sin tener un propósito para vivir. Es como comer simplemente para saciar el hambre, pero no para enriquecerse nutritivamente ni para mantenerse sano. Vivir te da la posibilidad de realizarte como persona, de alcanzar el florecimiento humano y, sobre todo, de trascender, es decir, ir más allá de lo cotidiano y hacer la diferencia o dejar huella.

Se dice que solo se vive una vez, pero desde mi punto de vista y basándome en mi experiencia, estoy convencido que se vive más de una vez. Vives cada vez que sonríes con tu familia o amigos, cuando vuelves a ver esa película que tanto te gusta, cuando acudes a ver un partido de tu equipo favorito, cuando disfrutas de la naturaleza o cuando viajas y adquieres nuevas experiencias. A propósito de esto último, les contaré brevemente sobre un voluntariado que realicé el pasado febrero, en el que decidí vivir más de una ocasión.

Gracias a una colaboración entre diferentes instituciones, Universidad de Piura, Nexos Comunitarios y el proyecto Soqtapata, tuve el placer de visitar el proyecto de conservación, una reserva natural ubicada en la selva de Cusco. Este viaje me brindó la gran oportunidad de conocer a personas muy variadas, maravillosas y con valores humanos. Durante casi una semana, convivimos como una familia, cuidándonos unos a otros, compartiendo casi las mismas comidas, durmiendo bajo el mismo techo y deleitándonos con el exquisito canto de los pájaros y el agradable sonido del río.

Al principio, sentí que los días iban a ser eternos debido a la lejanía del lugar, lo que me generó un gran desgaste (viajé desde Cajamarca), y porque el miedo de no acostumbrarme al entorno comenzaba a invadirme. Sin embargo, al día siguiente de haber llegado a Soqtapata, me encontraba con más energía y decidí que iba a vivir y disfrutar de todo lo que nos rodeaba. Desde el desayuno, que, como todas las comidas, siempre estaba delicioso, tenía la sensación de que iba a disfrutar, y así fue. Cada cosa que conocía me hacía vibrar el alma y me traía paz, como las increíbles cataratas, los imponentes árboles, la belleza de las plantas y los animales, sumado a las emocionantes historias que la familia Pilares nos relataba.

Los siguientes días siguieron la misma línea, llenos de aventuras y conversaciones enriquecedoras que permitían valorar y agradecer la presencia de cada uno. Sin duda, eran espacios llenos de aprendizaje y momentos que siempre recordaré. Porque vivir también implica abrirse y entregarse a los demás, permitiendo que ellos entren y dejen una huella en ti.

Este programa despertó en mí ese deseo de seguir explorando y conociendo otras realidades, que estoy seguro contribuirán a mi crecimiento humano. Ha surgido en mí un nuevo "por qué" para vivir.

[nexoscomunitarios-blog]

While this trip was unquestionably wonderful overall, there was one particular challenge along the way; the language barrier was a hurdle I know myself and many others had trouble with. Thankfully, this PhotoVoice project emphasized a lot of non-verbal communication, and I know all of the participants were still able to make connections and jokes with the kids. Though they may not be very wealthy in terms of money, the children we worked with were some of the happiest and most loving I have ever met. They helped me see happiness in a different light, and reminded me what it feels like to be a child again. My trip may have ended a week ago, but I will carry what I learned in Peru with me for the rest of my life. Whether it is lessons about giving more and taking less, or about the power of communication, compassion, and love, I feel empowered to make a difference in my own community and possibly abroad one day. I’m very glad to have experienced Peru the way I did. Peru, and the wonderful individuals I met will always have a place in my heart.

Carmen Leung.

Western University.

PROGRAM: #BeTheChange (GROUP PROGRAM)