Thurston Ave. Love

Sunday, March 14, 2010 was a cold, cloudy, rainy day on Cornell campus.  The past week has been tragic for the student body here.  A number of students took their lives by jumping from some of the bridges that span the gorges on campus. Why do I mention this on our blog?  Because some friends chose to stand at this bridge, the Thurston Ave bridge, and try to impact people for the better.  They went with chalk, and a pleasant disposition to try to brighten the mood and let students know that someone really does care.

It was a somber atmosphere, with a security guard in a red jacket posted at the bridge too.

People wrote things like  "Thurston Ave Love" and "be the change" on the concrete in bright letters.

We bowed in prayer for the whole campus, then left.  It's a small thing to do, but I KNOW that if we reach out to others, it is well worth the investment in time, money, and whatever else it could be.  When you reach out to someone who need a little hope in their life, you are changing the world.

Those are hard words to really follow.  I have a few ideas though:  

1. Play positive music from loud speakers in the Arts quad while classes are changing.  For that matter, when you drive on campus, roll down the windows and play loud, good, positive music from your car.  Of course some people will look at you strange, but others will start walking to the beat and smile at you.  

2. Set up random "free tea and coffee" stations, staffed by positive people who are willing to smile, and chat for a while. 

3. When you talk to your friends and acquaintances, REALLY REALLY LISTEN.