As I begin my newest term on Willamette’s campus as a student, participant, leader, and staff-member, I’m often struck by the complete distinction between the years.
Just because you are returning to the same place, with the same people, for the same events, does not in any way mean that they will be similar experiences.
What works one year may not work another year. What was a problem one year may be a breeze the next. What was once great community, the go-to late-night adventure, or the difficult person in the group may change suddenly and without warning.
You may have “been there, done that” and even have a t-shirt to prove it … but experiences, no matter how outwardly similar, are by definition incredibly distinct and completely separate.
You can always learn something new … no matter how many times you may have done it before. You may mess something up, no matter how practiced you may be.
It’s important not to confuse our past achievements or failures with the utterly unique present circumstances.
You can certainly learn from the patterns of the past … but you can’t forget to factor in the “new” parts of every day.
To do otherwise is to erect monuments to systems and processes that inevitably fail.
(Posted as I help lead the NSOCO freshman orientation for community service.)