Reflections of a College Kid

By Derrick Jones

Two items of business as I begin this month.

First, for those of you wondering about my best friend's term paper on stem cell research and class presentation: we got an "A "!!! Okay, well, maybe not "we," but my best friend did. And the oral presentation went well.

His professor loved his arguments, and he said that most of the class seemed receptive to his presentation. We don't know if anyone's opinion was changed - - we will probably never know - - but there's a potential that he saved a life. Maybe not immediately, but somewhere down the road, an unborn child might live because of that paper.

Second, I promised last month to show you the artwork that was created by graphic design student Greg Walker, entitled "Infinite Possibilities." Greg's creativity and desire to advance the cause of life led him to create this graphic as part of an assignment.

When we first opened his e-mail and downloaded the image file those of us who received it were taken aback. It's (a) beautifully designed, (b) simple, and (c) sends an extremely powerful message. Greg has generously allowed NRLC to use the graphic wherever we can to promote life. You can be sure that you'll see this graphic again in the future.

My best friend's successful paper and Greg's excellent graphic help to underscore the message I've delivered to high school and college students (and veterans of the movement) for years: use your imagination and creativity to spread a culture of life.

For most college kids, like my best friend Greg, classes have ended and summer has started. Unfortunately, I'm not most college kids. Nope. I'm in the trenches of summer school - - entire semesters crammed into a few weeks. Thankfully, they'll be over soon (wish me luck!).

I guess I'm still in a grade-school mindset to think that summers are for vacationing, beaches, sleeping in, and relaxing. Of course, in the pro-life movement, and especially at the NRLC office, that mindset is just a bit off the mark - - things never slow down and the workload seemingly multiplies overnight.

With all that we, as pro-lifers, have set out to accomplish, it's important that we find a balance to prevent a feeling of burnout. At the same time, we know that we cannot back down from working toward our ultimate goal of full legal protection for unborn children.

Burnout, I have learned the hard way, rears its all-too ugly head just when you don't need it the most. Anyone - - from teens and my peers in college to our parents and grandparents - - can empathize with that statement. No matter what age or occupation, we are all potential victims of burnout.

Personally, between my work at NRLC, my full load of classes, and various theatrical rehearsals, I have been all-too ready to give into burnout. Over the past few years, I've developed some techniques that keep me from reaching the proverbial "breaking point" and allow me to "keep on keepin' on."

Each day, I set aside 20-30 minutes for "Me Time." This time may be spent vegging in front of the television, going for a walk, stopping by one of D.C.'s many coffee shops to "people watch," or (my favorite) hopping in the car, turning up the music, and just going for a drive into the Maryland or Virginia countryside. "Me Time" gives me a chance to calm down, regroup, and reflect on everything that I have set out to accomplish.

Next, if I feel like I've taken on too much or am simply feeling overwhelmed by the work at hand, I turn to a friend and ask for help. It took me a while to learn that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is just the opposite, a sign of strength. Our work in the pro-life movement is collective and it's important to know that we can call on each other for help if the need arises.

Or (and this is the best), I'll take whatever task I'm doing and " make it fun." This may be as simple as turning on some music and dancing around the lunchroom table as I collate a 75-piece mailing. This may result in some strange looks from other members of the NRLC staff, but it also results in their breaking down into laughter. And as mothers and grandmothers (like mine) throughout the years have said, laughter is indeed the best medicine for almost any problem.

I share these techniques with you in hopes that, if you are or have reached your own "breaking point," you can develop your own techniques to avoid burnout. Our pro-life work is vital to saving so many lives and the task can sometimes seem insurmountable. But if we take the time to regroup and stay focused, we can move mountains.

A closing thought. A couple of years ago, NRL PAC director, Carol Tobias gave me one of the best birthday presents I've ever received.

It is a small metal sailboat with the poem Don't Quit inscribed on it.I have it sitting on my desk and look at it many times throughout the day. For all of us involved in the fight for life, it provides some sage words of wisdom, and I'd like to share them with all of you. Remember, "keep on keepin' on!" See ya next month!

DON'T QUIT
When things go wrong,
as they sometimes will.
When the road you're trudging
seems all uphill.
When the funds are low,
and the debts are high;
you want to smile, but you
have to sigh; When care is
pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but
don't you quit!

Derrick Jones is NRLC administrative assistant, advertising coordinator, and youth outreach coordinator. He is also a senior at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. For more information on how high school and college students can become more involved in the pro-life movement, or to contact Derrick, call (202) 626-8800, ext. 153 or e-mail:  jonesy77@aol.com.