Finding my Own Calcutta

3Aug2009 Filed under: Current Events Author: AkirahWyatt

“Stay where you are. Find your own Calcutta. Find the sick, the suffering, and the lonely right there where you are — in your own homes and in your own families, in your workplaces and in your schools. You can find Calcutta all over the world, if you have the eyes to see. Everywhere, wherever you go, you find people who are unwanted, unloved, uncared for, just rejected by society — completely forgotten, completely left alone.” Mother Teresa

As a twenty-something, I have been told, “Live! Enjoy life! You’re young. Go where you want to go, do what you want to do. Nothing is holding you back.”

I agree…to a point. I completely value the self-discovery I have been able to accomplish during this season of my life. But as a result of that, I’ve felt pressured to do everything…to conquer the world. And let me tell you, the pressure of “making my life matter” can be overwhelming at times.

And I certainly want my life to matter. I’m a firm believer that I wasn’t put on this world to make lots of money, buy lots of things, and call it a day. I can do so much more.

That said, I’m searching for my own Calcutta. My Calcutta might not require me to move across the world and sell all my possessions, but it needs me nonetheless. My Calcutta will not only allow my to use my unique gifts and skills for its benefit, but it will empower me to do so. My Calcutta will give me the opportunity to help others, but will help me grow as well.

Where is your Calcutta? What can you contribute towards it?

**image taken from www.monroegallery.com

10 Responses to “Finding my Own Calcutta”

Singlutionary
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:22 PM

My calcutta, right now, is out in the desert. I want to build an off the grid resort out there where people can come and heal their souls, where folks (rich or poor) can be quiet long enough to hear their own inner voice again, where folks can find there center — perhaps for the first time.

I could see a lot of people benefiting from that. And of course, thru touching others, you’ll benefit as well. Can I come?
Crow
August 4th, 2009 at 6:01 AM

My Calcutta can’t happen now cuz im still studying, but my dream is to build an old age home in India for the homeless, in association with a hospital, so i can pick people off the streets. Kinda Mother Theresa-like but of course, no one can be as motivated and awesome as her!

That sounds awesome! And in the meantime, you can use your time in school to prepare you for what you hope to do in the future. I wish you many blessings on that dream of yours. It sounds pretty amazing.
Julie @ Wearing Mascara
August 4th, 2009 at 2:18 PM

My calcutta I hope will happen soon. I too am always looking for my purpose. Hopefully I’ll find it soon or realize I already have.

I think you’re a lot closer to the realization than you give yourself credit for.
nana
August 4th, 2009 at 4:24 PM

I love it! I want to search for My Calcutta too, I’m glad you chose to speak on the subject. I feel like success isn’t the car you drive or the size of your bank account, it’s how happy you are and how many lives you’ve touched.

I agree. I appreciate financial security, but I’ve learned that very few things in this life are secure. So even more than security, I value encouragement. It is encouragement that will get us thru the rough times when our bank accounts are not very large.
MinD
August 6th, 2009 at 12:27 PM

As individuals, we can only do so much. Don’t feel pressured to do more than you are capable of. I’m sure you can find your own Calcutta without a problem and hopefully be happy with whatever you can accomplish. All my best hun!

Thanks. It’s important to avoid burnout by doing what we can…and what we can well.
carolyn
August 6th, 2009 at 3:11 PM

I hate the attitude that the world is ours and we should use it as much as we can while we’re young enough to enjoy it. YUCK. That promotes the idea that things and accomplishments automatically equal happiness. I’m a fan of shopping, don’t get me wrong, but I have also accepted that it only brings momentary happiness and I could be putting the money toward people that really need it. I’m also a fan of accomplishing things, but in the end you can be the leader of the free world and still not feel complete.

All that to say finding your Calcutta is important. I think it’s GIVING, not consuming, that brings happiness. For now, my Calcutta is listening to my girlfriends’ boy troubles until they find a reason to smile again. It’s saying “hi” to my scary looking neighbor because I know it promotes community. It’s walking once in a while when I reaaally want to be lazy and drive. It’s recycling.

Hopefully someday my Calcutta will be more dramatic. But like you said, we ARE young. We have time to find what we truely care about and develop the skills and resources to do whatever that is effectively. And that’s pretty exciting!

Thank you for your thoughtful comment. You are 100% correct. It’s the little things that make a big difference. And as your friend, I must say I appreciate being a part of your Calcutta…you encourage me so much, friend. I love you!
ChinkyGirLMeL
August 7th, 2009 at 9:15 AM

Oh sweetie. you always serve as an inspiration to me. Thanks for reminding me of something of great value. I used to be that kind of person, but work has made me forget about the Calcutta that I once reached out to. =)

Well, I hope you find your Calcutta…whatever it may be.
Archana
August 8th, 2009 at 1:00 AM

Nice post. I think it’s always important to give back within your means. Whether it’s getting involved in short-term community projects or going overseas and volunteering…whatever it is, it needs to be something you want to do. If the desire is in you to accomplish something, then the results always mean so much more.

PS – On an off note, found your blog via 20sb & I love the layout!

Thanks! And you’re exactly right. It’s as the saying goes “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.”
floreta
August 12th, 2009 at 9:04 AM

im actually planning a trip to go to india (though, not kolkatta) and volunteer. i REALLY want to see the world and i’m aware that it might look like i’m running away, but i have too much adventure/wanderlust to stop just because of that. but in terms of locally, i recently applied to volunteer for a reading program where basically you read to a kid one-on-one each week. it helps w/ their reading comprehension which helps them succeed later in life.

That’s awesome. I bet the kids really appreciate your help and I’m sure you get a lot out of it too. I would like to see the world someday too. Maybe not Africa or Asia, but the world outside of my little “Quarter-life Lady bubble.”
Jenny
August 17th, 2009 at 6:16 PM

Wow I love that quote! What a great post. I love all the comments as well and reading about the different things people all over are doing or working towards to make this world a little bit better. My dream is to help empower young people in third world countries and to educate them to stop the spread of AIDS luckily there are many wonderful organizations doing this already and I would love to go to Africa and be part of the education someday! Thanks for this post and for inspiring people and causing them to ask the question of how they are impacting society.

You’re welcome! And I hope you get to Africa soon.