Where is your soul?

I remember making a clear stand as a middle school student that there were a number of bands I loved to listen to but refused to "worship" as people or individuals. I'd buy their tapes but not their posters. This was a wonderful stand to take as a middle school student who wanted to act and speak like an adult despite the many flaws and contradictions behind my argument. I did struggle to maintain this stance with one band: U2. I remember going to the late viewing of "Rattle an Hum" before the midnight release of "Achtung Baby." When first dating my wife she blew me away by getting her hands on tickets for a U2 concert (the band was impressed with the giant 2 that had been added to the giant U on mountain that overlooks the stadium at the University of Utah). My ipod is red, part of the line of Product Red that raises money for AIDS medication, an organization started in part by Bono. So, my interest was definitely piqued a few weeks ago when I came across this Op-Ed column written by Bono.

The article was both inspiring and thought provoking. I decided to show it to my elective class on global issues. The underlying question about our souls and what really matters most in our lives became a writing option for my students' final papers. As a few papers have trickled in over the last day it has been exciting and uplifting to see how they view themselves and their purpose. Like my middle school opinion on music personalities, there is a bit of posturing in attempt to show maturity but overall I was impressed by the outstanding responses. Their souls are found in every place from the center of mom's lasagna, through journeys found in interactions with other, to the front line of fighting a chronic disease on a very public stage.

I think there are very few people that can completely find their souls at any age. I wouldn't argue that my students have achieved this either. What does impress me though is the sincere effort they have made to seek their passions, interests, and meaning in life. I think about myself at that age, preparing to graduate from high school. I don't' know what surprises me more, how much I didn't know about myself and the world or how much I actually did? I'll probably feel the same way about my current place when I look back in 20 years. I guess that's the real value in soul searching. Not the you could ever really pin it down but, as my students who are lucky enough to be in a place that values self reflection and service, searching for one's soul from time to time helps makes life meaningful and enjoyable.