Since learning more about America's history with Native Americans, I now don't really look at the fakey historical aspect of the Holiday that our country would like us to think - that the pilgrims and indians came together for a nice little peaceful feast together - when it fact the history is much more shameful, bloody, and less fluffy than that. And so, as an alternative Thanksgiving is a holiday that I like to call  = Food Day!^^

But, I guess in the "spirit" of the other aspect of Thanksgiving ..to 'be thankful for' and in the spirit of what this site is all about - organizations and good causes, I will try to mesh that together to write about something a little more positive. I usually don't write these things, but I'll give it a go..

First of all, I am thankful for my family and friends - those who are dear to me, and who love and support me. Where would I be without them? I can't imagine... I don't think there are enough words to express how thankful I am of them for just being a part of my life... 

Anyways, was that short? Because that's all of a given isn't it?? Haha. I'm thankful for them everyday..haha..even if I don't say it much, I guess this is why we have Thanksgiving..another day to declare all our thanks all together ~

But seriously...as I said.. in spirit of 'thanks' and 'organizations'..I'd have to say that one of the biggest impacts on my life this year was being a part of 4C The Power. We've made so much progress in such a short amount of time and so many memories..and it's just the beginning! Every now and then I find myself wondering how my friends and I were so blessed to connect with this organization and not only support it, but to actively be a part of it. In a lot of ways, it feels like it was meant to be. I'm really thankful to be a part of something so genuinely good and outside of my self yet something that I can still relate to. It feels close to home because I wish there was an organization like this that existed when I was in high school. When I volunteer at these workshops and hear what the artists have to say to the youth, I always think how great it would have been to be at their age and hear this stuff so early on. I don't think I would have wasted as much time if I did.

Recently at one of the workshops, someone asked the artists if they could go back in time, knowing what they know now, what they would say to their younger selves. Their answers really touched my heart. It was one of those 'you had to be there' type of moments for me, hearing how they would tell themselves to ahead and go for what they wanted, and to not be afraid. If I as an adult can feel the sincerity in their words now, I believe that somewhere out in the audience, there was a kid who took their words to heart as well, and who could start to believe that their dreams can be a reality. At their young age, the valuable advice and accounts given to them now - gives them so much more of an edge in life. It is said that life can sometimes work in a ripple effect..one small event, leading to other small events, and getting bigger and bigger. When the workshops are over and the showcases are done, I think you can see the hint of truth in that. 4C The Power workshops are not these big circus of events but to those who go to them, they will find that there is a such a special quality in them, that it feels like you went to something that's going to stay with you for the rest of your life. It's that one small thing that'll lead to bigger things if you believe in yourself and take something valuable from the words of the mentors there and of their life experiences. Even myself, when I just see how the kids are during the workshop, and seeing how they do at the showcases and just hearing the kinds of good things that some of the young kids will say after a workshop, it's at these moments that I think..that they are truly taking away something from the experience. That somewhere along the way, there was a spark or a light rekindled in these individuals. And just being even the smallest part of something like this feels really nice.

Y'know~It's not just the mentors who 'make' these workshops worthwhile, it is all the individuals involved. I don't know, I can't really describe all of this without the risk of sounding cheesy but again, I'm just really thankful to be a part of 4C The Power, and thankful to have met and be around all these great individuals who make it what it is - and that includes everyone...the founders, interns, volunteers, mentors, the youth..everyone, everyone, everyone. There's so much of this crazy positive energy going on in this organization that I am continually amazed to be around it. We are lucky to have so many people who care about it too - to contribute to it and to help it grow. People inspiring people inspiring people inspiring people. There's an exchange of energy and inspiration going on here and plenty to go around. gobble gobble~