Embracing the Challenge

It's day one of Pre-Service Orientation. Look at us, bright eyed and bushy tailed. You can see the excitement for what lies ahead on all of our faces. Gardenia's thumbs up (on the floor, third from the left) captures the positive energy from the group. 

You can actually see the relief on my face (third row, far left) that everyone is so warm and friendly. As a somewhat shy person, I looked to this year as a new start—an opportunity to break out of my shell. I’ve learned through past experience that personal development is rarely easy; the most effective way to grow and mature is often to step out of your comfort zone. When in a new setting or facing new experiences, one gains a perspective that allows for introspection and eventually, change. Truth be told—that process can be challenging.

Program staff reinforced that insight by organizing a challenge for the North Florida Health Corps AmeriCorps members on Day 2 of Pre-Service Orientation. After a morning of team-building activities, we celebrated by climbing the 50-foot wood and rope “Alpine Tower” at the First Coast YMCA . I generally avoid any potentially dangerous activity I'm cautious to a fault) so I truly was too freaked out to see the value in the exercise. I avoided it for as long as I could. I watched all my fellow members vanquish the tower with a positive attitude, reinforced by the other members’ cheers from the ground. When my time to climb finally arrived, I knew my limits and had a feeling I wouldn’t make it all the way to the top. But, I did manage to get higher than I thought I could. With determination and an optimist spirit, all the AmeriCorps members successfully scaled the tower. 

It became obvious that program staff knew the symbolic value of this lesson. Over our course of service we will be confronted with downright scary challenges.  We may not know at first how to successfully surmount them. But, as we learned at the YMCA that day, having an open mind and a positive outlook can work wonders when faced with a daunting challenge. And, as North Florida Health Corps AmeriCorps members, we are lucky to have a community cheering us on—reminding us that we can accomplish anything we are determined to do. 

This post was written by NFHC member Molly Spilka.

Molly serves at the FDOH in Duval County as the Pre-Conception/Interconceptional Health Educator.