Read My Epic Essay

Learn about this guy. He is remarkable.

One. One man. One life. Change. A group is not a vehicle for change. Change comes from one person doing. Greg Mortenson did. Greg Mortenson succeeded. He succeeded because the one was touched. Mortenson learned to care for the one through the hospitality he was freely given while in Korphe. He was a lost climber stumbling his way back down K2 when he saw a village and thought he had reached Askole. The people of Korphe, not Askole, opened their village to him by allowing him to come into their homes, recover from his ordeal, and partake of their sugar. They gave of their scarcity rather than of their abundance. This touched his life in profound ways that led to change. As Mortenson contemplated the service rendered to him, he grew as an individual, realizing at that moment of unrequited service to him that one can indeed make all the difference.
Loyola cares about the one. As Loyola’s mission and values so boldly states, “We are Chicago's Jesuit Catholic University—A diverse community seeking God in all things and working to expand knowledge in the service of humanity through learning, justice and faith.” The concern for service of humanity through learning, justice and faith, is of necessity focused upon the one since it is the one, not the group that is the vehicle for change. By having the book, “Three Cups of Tea” be the freshman focus, Loyola subtly emphasizes the one as the fulcrum of change.
Mortenson—unbeknownst to him—has truly accomplished Loyola’s mission and values by being the one. His capacity for service has expanded as he has served a portion of humanity in Korphe. By serving now as he was once served, his capacity for service has grown exponentially because of the difference he has made in the lives of those around him.
One of my dad’s favorite movies (that we HAVE to watch every Christmas as a family) is entitled, “It’s a Wonderful Life” by Frank Capra, which illustrates the importance of the one. The main character of the movie is a man named George Bailey. As events unravel in his life, you see George standing on the edge of a bridge wishing he had never been born. His wish is granted as he views the lives of his loved ones without him. Where there was once a man, is left a gaping hole in everyone’s lives. He sees the incalculable influence his one life has had in and on the lives of those around him. Again, the one person made all the difference.
In a world where women are considered chattel, Greg Mortenson has been their George Bailey. Without Mr. Mortenson questions beg to be asked: who would be fighting for the education of Middle Eastern women? What, if any, would their educational opportunities be? Would there be schools or further empty promises from an uncaring government? Who would teach them? What would be taught? The question is answered how it has been for time immemorial, without Mr. Mortenson, no one.
The greatest example of seeking or being the one is Jesus Christ. He declared that He came to find the one, not the many. He was also a vehicle for change. While not accepted during His lifetime, His influence is still felt today. In fact our measurement of time is based upon His birth.
We must all do as Greg Mortenson successfully did, following Gandhi’s eloquent teaching, which states, “You must become the change you want to see in the world.”
I am One Man. It is my Life. I am change.


P.s. I was in my institute class the other day. Remember this, "never leave your sacred grove"

I love you all, goodbye.
Mi amor a todos, adios.
אני אוהב אותך כל, סלאמאת.