Why I keep comparing the Millennial Trains Project to a unicorn and a tornado (an almost novella)
In the beginning of March, I began a crazy adventure. If you know me, you know I call most things "an adventure"; taking a road trip, an unexpected encounter at the grocery store, facilitating a program with a new group of youth. Being a member of the 2016 Unity cohort on the Millennials Trains Project (MTP) trip from Los Angeles to Detroit was an adventure for the memoir. There are only a handful of those: living in India, speaking at a conference in Tokyo, performing in the Vagina Monologues... these are the few that stand out until now. Now I have another epic adventure to add to the list.
On August 8th I started my transit adventure to California for the kick off of MTP. On the 18th, we set foot in my home state to wrap up the program. When I started, I thought MTP was going to be a "professional development experience" and I got great at explaining, what I now know is, the logistics. It would go a little something like this, "I'll fly to Los Angeles, our first stop, and from there myself and 24 other Millennials will take a train to San Francisco, Denver, Milwaukee, and end in Detroit. In each city we'll have programming from a local partner and then will have time to further our individual projects. While we're on the train, MTP has mentors who will facilitate us through activities and give lectures." Wow, was I wrong. Technically all that happened, but the logistic reality of MTP has very little to do with why the experience was immensely impactful. It's actual value is the part that is difficult to explain, and this is where the unicorn/tornado comparison comes in.
The past week have been consumed with me trying to figure out how to explain what actual result of MTP is in my life. To my mom, I tried to explain it with photos. To my friend Lauren who called me on the phone, I said, "I'll try to tell you when we're in person. I think my face tells it better than my words do." For Curt, who wonderfully came to Detroit the night of our arrival, I just introduced him to all my new friends as an explanation. Many people have asked, and no matter what I end up getting around to the same statement, "It's like being in a tornado or seeing a unicorn."
At this point I think it's important to note that I have neither seen a unicorn nor been in a tornado, so my entire comparison is built on assumptions I have about both of those experiences. Here's what I assume. I assume that when you experience something as traumatic as a tornado, many people empathize with you, but really the only people who "get it" are the other people who were in the same tornado. Or, if you and a friend saw a unicorn, in all it's sparkly, unique glory and then tried to explain it to someone else; your listener would never imagine it quite as spectacular as it was in person. The Millennial Trains Project is like a tornado or a unicorn. I've joined this special club and as much as I would like to share what it is like to be in the club, I just can't seem to do it justice. (Unless of course I'm chatting with one of my MTP friends.)
So with all that in mind, I'll try my best to share. I have some great people, wonderful people, in my life. Many of these people are amazing supporters of me in my any and all endeavors. I call them my cheerleading squad. Whenever I need some affirmations or building up I go to my cheerleading squad. I also have some people I go to when I need to process things. People who ask me tough questions to help me make decisions. There are a few, though I think they are rare, who do both. MTP turned out to all be the "both" people. I have this truly amazing group of people who immediately, upon shaking their hand in our initial introductions, gave me gifts. Gifts of empathy, of constructive questioning, and of unconditional support- no matter what.
I am so grateful, and humbled to be a part of this group. We have this amazing shared experience and talked a lot on the train about imposter syndrome. This isn't the time or place to deconstruct what imposter syndrome is, but I will share that as I've talked about my experience I've said that I felt like the most "run-of-the-mill" out of all my peers on the train. They are MIND BOGGLINGLY cool. As I was trying to describe just how amazing they are to my colleague, Lisa, I also shared that immediately upon starting back at work I was feeling a distinct absence of those people. "I want to find a location where I can work to build a space to attract these kind of people so I can just be around them," I shared. Lisa said, "Oh, you found your tribe." and she is completely right. It's more than a community. It's like a family but we live all over the globe. These people are my tribe.
MTP reinspired me. There are people EVERYWHERE who overflow with optimism. People who care about things that are greater than themselves, who are more than entrepreneurs; they are change makers. MTP reaffirmed that the narrative around Millennials is wrong. The people and communities I have built relationships with are willing to make an investment in others and in their communities. The generation that I saw (and claim as my own) cares deeply about others; cares about growth and learning, about equality and building one another up, and about creating space and opportunity for all.
This overwhelming gratitude is completely connected to the unicorn nature of the Millennials Trains Project. I learned a lot from the learning stories I connected along the way, and will continue to share those. My "high impact learning" (to use my own words from my project) was more deeply related to the collective experience and relationships built. I recognize how important lifelong learning is, and the equal importance of intentionally building the skill set be a lifelong learner. I also realize how important space is. I am curious how I can create a space for people in my geographic community to come together in similar ways, so I can surround myself with more of the MTP-like minds of Michigan.
With MTP, I joined a community where I didn't have to do a dance. I didn't feel a pressure to "sell" myself in terms of my value or possible contributions. I entered the MTP space and immediately felt valued. I felt like the people around me said- without prompting- "I know you care about the world, so I care that you're in the world." and because of that I was able to be vulnerable, open, and curious without judgement (from myself or others). MTP creates a space of 100% buy-in in one another, and the idea that I could switch gears, change projects, have other missions, and the MTP community would say "yes" when I asked (whatever the ask was), is amazingly freeing. I want to take risks. I want to try new things. I want to fail, so that I can learn, and be the best version of myself for me and my community. I have on train-shaped rose colored glasses whenever I look at the world now, and I never want to take them off.
