So this week we’re chatting about a piece of literature that inspires us. For me that’s a book titled:
“Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” by Kristine & Richard Carlson

The book is pretty simple and down to earth:
“There are two rules: 1.) Don’t sweat the small stuff and 2.) It’s all small stuff.”

My mom gave me this book in high school and I loved it so much that I read it three times during my senior year. If I ever need a pick me up I turn to a chapter and try to remember to enjoy all of the little moments. If you need a pick me up, or just a little motivation, check out “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.”

Amelia Bedelia…what a lady. She taught me so much. Amelia Bedelia is a piece of inspiration for me. While it may not be up there with Harry Potter, that woman has a sweet place in my heart. Her clumsiness and lack of common sense give me hope, as I can occasionally (of course very rarely) exhibit those qualities. The one I read in particular many, many times as a child is Good Work, Amelia Bedelia, in which she is given a list of chores to do around the house, and ends up doing each one very wrong. However, it was not her fault; she was just not given proper directions. Amelia Bedelia is a sweetheart and always has good intentions, even if things don’t turn out as expected. And regardless, people still love her. Just goes to show there’s a place for everyone in this world!

FYCO LOVE,

Katie

If You’re Out There by John Legend is a song that totally represents how I feel about community service and FYSOP.
I find this song really motivating and I think FYSOP is doing what John Legend is asking for. We are standing up, joining hands, being leaders and changing the world.
We’re being the change we want to see.

In “Guantanamo,” State Radio sing about human rights violations that have occurred at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba. The song reflects our belief that prisoners have human rights that must be protected. More information about Guantanamo Bay is available here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guantanamo_Bay_detention_camp.

U2 wrote “Walk On” about and dedicated it to Noble Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.  Suu Kyi is an activist for human rights and democracy in Burma.  She has been living under house arrest off and on for a total of 12 of the past 19 years after leading a nationwide effort to end military rule in Burma.  The Burmese government  has outlawed this song, punishing its possession with up to 20 years imprisonment. When given a chance to leave Burma with her family, Suu Kyi refused to abandon her people and remained in Burma as a prisoner.

When asked to choose a song that fits with FYSOP, I chose “Cry Freedom” by Dave Matthews Band. Matthews wrote the song in honor of Steve Biko (pictured left), the South African anti-apartheid activist who became a martyr for the movement after dying in police custody. The name “Cry Freedom” is actually taken from the 1987 film with the same title, which chronicles the late activist’s life. Though inspired by the South African cause, the song’s lyrics, I think, are a good reminder to any organization that seeks to make the world a better place. And though the song’s tone is sad, it is also hopeful; hopeful that the crowds of people trying to do good “will not subside;”  that people will overcome the “gold” and “fear” that  separate the human race; that we can realize how “hands and feet are all alike,” and we are all equals. At FYSOP, we embody this cause by overcoming the obstacles that irrationally divide us as people. And, as shown from the thousands of hours  of service we put in, we certainly work towards placing our better days today, and not putting off the work for the future.

Peace

-keith

Despite having no music skills what-so-ever, we are probably the most musical FYCOs you’ll ever meet. By that I mean they’ve mentioned lots of songs in their previous blog posts. Today’s special post is all about what song we feel best fits the Elders issue area. Sit back to enjoy the tunes and lyrical prose of their explanations.

Mike’s Jammin’ Response:

Brett Dennen – Blessed

Life is a beautiful thing. Unfortunately, as people age and approach the end of their lives, a great number of them become isolated due to personal illness and death of friends and family. According to the National Institute of Health, 7 million of the 35 million Americans aged 65 or older suffer from depression. Almost 25% of the people living in Nursing Homes suffer from depression. But the FYSOP Elders Issue Area is all about forming community and letting the elderly know they are cared for and loved. By working with them we hope to share a love of life, “Blessed is this life and I’m going to celebrate being alive!”.

Brittany’s song:
“I Wanna Grow Old with You” -Adam Sandler, The Wedding Singer

Some people dread growing older. They don’t like the idea of losing their independence and requiring the help and care of others. I think the elders staff and first-years will learn how much fun it is to go and visit elders in different facilities during FYSOP, and realize that it’s an uplifting experience more often than not. Some elders have partners or groups of friends that they’ve known three times as long as college freshman have been alive. That’s amazing. I can’t wait until I’m 95 and my day’s plans are determined by whatever my heart desires. It will be even better if i have someone, whether it’s a spouse (maybe spouse number 3 or 4…I get bored pretty easily) or a friend that I can reminisce and cause trouble with. And maybe someone will even sing to me from the loudspeaker of a plane, offering to carry me around when my arthritis is bad.

-Mike Zimmerman and Brittany Rehmer

The song I choose is “Somewhere only we know” by Keane.  While being pretty catchy and soothing, it also helps explain how I feel about FYSOP.  While it’s not exactly “the end of everything,” it does symbolize the end of high school and the beginning of four great years at college.  FYSOP is “somewhere to begin” as the song says.  The fun and entire experience of FYSOP is so hard to explain and ends up being “somewhere only we know” and love. (Ray)

As the guitar strums the opening bars of “Bailamos,” my mind can only conjure one thought: HOMELESSNESS&HOUSING.  The Spanish-pop star sensation Enrique Iglesias couldn’t have phrased it better when he whispers “te quiero, no lo niego.”  This lyrical masterpiece got it right in English and in Spanish: I love H&H and I can’t deny it! Heck, Enrique I won’t even whisper it!  I’ll say it loudly and proudly, though maybe not as seductively.  We shall dance-or as the Latin crooner would say bailamos- to the rhythm of service. We CAN make anything happen, Enrique.  ¡Bailamos! (Coral)

As the children coordinators, we love to see children smiling, having fun, and enjoying life. All children have the right to live a full and happy childhood, which is why we chose our theme song to be Smile by Vitamin C. A smile can fill everyone with happiness, especially coming from a child’s face. With the help we’re doing in FYSOP, so many children are being touched and helped and can smile. Sometimes children are dealing with issues that we don’t even know of and struggle to live a happy life. It is our job as FYSOP volunteers to play give children that strong support system and smile. If people spread their smiles to children, then the world can become a happier place.
Children deal with so many issues in their life and this song explains that even when life gets tough, smiling can pick you up, especially coming from a child!

So while on my itunes last night an old school little Michael Jackson song came on: “In Our Small Way.”  Check out the song.  It reminds me most of FYSOP because of the following lines: “We may not change the world in one day, but we still can change some things today, in our small way… just a little time is all it takes, what a difference just a smile can make.”  Every year with FYSOP we make a difference in the city of Boston.  It may not be a change that we can see the affects of globally, but it’s still something that we’re doing for our community.

Much FYSOP Love,

Steph

From Holly:  ”One giant leap“.

FYSOP is an enormous leap of faith, terror, and utter craziness all rolled into one. As a FYSOP Coordinator, I have so many ideas and plans for Gender Focus, and I want the freshmen and staff to truly experience and understand the issues involved in GF. I want them to feel the same passion and excitement for GF that I feel, and I want them to come away with with a greater respect for the people around them. As a Coordinator, sometimes it’s intimidating to call sites or speak to people about issues that are so close to home, but you have to take that chance with the hope that the reward will be a week of FYSOP that will truly open people’s eyes to issues so crucial in our world. FYSOP is one giant leap for me because I’m learning new things every single day; things that shock me and awe me, things that make me want to make the world a better place. We all can, once we take that one giant leap outside our comfort zones and into the fabulous world of FYSOP.

From Kyle: Colorful. Loud. Zestful.

Colorful.  I’ve always seen has always been something of a moasic to me.  There are so many different types of people who come through FYSOP with so many different personalities, so many different backgrounds, and so many reasons for wanting to take part in service.

Loud. I’ve never heard so few people make so much noise in my life than at FYSOP.  There is soo much yelling and screaming and singing and chanting that by the end of the week you can’t hear or speak because you’ve been bombarded and have been bombarding everyone around you with noise.  I also chose “loud” because FYSOP makes a very “loud” impact onto the city of Boston and the surround area through its service, and it is something very noticable by those who are aided through the project.

Zestful. FYSOP is such an exciting for the Coordinators, the Staff, and the First-Years.  Full of zest and enjoyment, you can easly feel elated through the activities and service that FYSOP provides.  My FYSOP experience as a freshmen has always been one of the foremost memories in my mind after three full years of college.  It is that sort of zestful experience that I want to provide everyone participating in the 20th year of FYSOP.