Inspirational - Jim Wallis' letter to his students

I read Jim Wallis’ letter to his class [Faith, Politics, and Society] at Kennedy School of Government. It is inspirational, and I thought that it would help most people who read this blog.

Dear Class Members,

You are a bright, gifted, and committed group of students. There are probably many people who tell you about your potential, and they are right. You are people who could make a real contribution to the movement for social and economic justice that we dreamed about the semester.

In that regard, I would encourage each of you to think about your vocation more than just your career. And there is a difference. From the outside, those two tracks may look very different or very much alike, but asking the vocational question rather than just considering the career options will take you much deeper. The key is to ask why you might take one path instead of another – the real reasons you would do something more than just because you can. The key is to ask who you really are and want to become. It is to ask what you believe you are supposed to do.

Religious or not, I would invite you to consider your calling, more than just the many opportunities presented to graduates of the Kennedy School. That means connecting your best talents and skills to your best and deepest values; making sure your mind is in sync with your soul as you plot your next steps. Don’t just go where you’re directed or even invited, but rather where your own moral compass leads you. And don’t accept others’ notions of what is possible or realistic; dare to dream things and don’t be afraid to take risks.

You do have great potential, but that potential will be most fulfilled if you follow the leanings of conscience and the language of the heart more than just the dictates of the market, whether economic or political. Rather than merely fitting into systems, ask how you can change them. You’re both smart and talented enough to do that. That’s your greatest potential.

One of you told me as we said goodbye last night, “When I started this course, I was cynical. I’m not cynical anymore.” Nothing could make me feel better about teaching this course. Cynicism really comes out of despair, but the antidote to cynicism is not optimism but action. And action is finally born out of hope. Try to remember that.