I Would Look Up...

The final line of the Ragger's Creed is: I would look up and laugh and lift and love.

Let's break this down. First, it states "I would look up." What does this mean to you? Obviously, there is the physical part of turning your face towards the sky and looking up. But there is a much deeper, philosophical meaning to this. I believe it means to look up to God, our Father. The Rag program is center on living a Christian way of life (more on this next week), so why wouldn't it mean to look up to Him? And I know personally that when a day has been hard or I am faced with a challange or want to share a join, I turn my face to the sky to pray to or thank our Father. For me, I have always found time spent in prayer while in nature to be more healing and allowed me to feel closer to God. So get outside, find a quiet place and talk to Him, He listens.

Secondly, the lines states "Laugh." Laughter truly is the best medicine. It helps you release stress and angst and share moments with friends. Laughter can help break tensions or heal broken spirits. I think it also means being able to laugh at yourself when you make mistakes.

Third, the line states "lift". By lifting, this speaks to lifting others, supporting others and being a champion for someone. The entire essence of the Rag program is to serve others and by doing so, you can help lift others to higher place in life.

And last, the line simply states "Love". For those of you who have been at CFA the last few summers, you know about our I.L.L. movement. "Is it loving" has become our motto and a way of life for those of us that work year round at camp. In all you do in life, is it done with a loving heart? Are you working hard to step out of your comfort zones and offer a hand to others? Love can be expressed in so many ways - what have you done today to show others you care?

If we could all live by this last line, imagine how simple and giving our lives would be. By reaching out to God, to others and allowing ourselves to laugh and be loved should be so simple. Yet we put pressure on ourselves to fit in and be like others, when truly, we should set our goals and be who we are - a caring, goal oriented, loving person.

Remember-Youth Empowerment Retreat (click and look for tan box) is coming up December 10, 2010! Sign up today and take this time to renew your Rag goals at camp. Hey Hey CFA-stay pure, stay true, stay strong, stay brave, be a friend, give each day, be humble, love who you are and stay CFA.

I would be true, for there are those that trust me;
I would be pure, for there are those who care;
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;
I would be brave, for there is much to dare.

I would be a friend to all, the foe, the friendless;
I would be giving and forget the gift,
I would be humble for I know my weakness;
I would look up and laugh and love and lift.

In the Spirit of Camp,

Allison, Y182?