New Eyes

September 16th, 2010

Dear GLW Newsletter Editors,

I wanted to personally thank you for the chance to write a piece specifically tailored to GLW, and I really appreciate having been shoe cased like that. The session 1 writer did a lovely job, and I found a lot of truth in her writing. Once again, thank you.

For those who haven't yet read it in the newsletter, here's a copy:


"New Eyes"
Written by Rebecca Stark, 2010 GLW Participant

The commencement of my GLW experience began one February afternoon when I found myself writing. Writing and editing, rewriting and reediting efforts became a vicious cycle until I was satisfied with what I had created. It wasn't necessarily a long essay, but I was content with the outcome. My topic had been based around the idea that every effort matters, no matter the size. Before arriving at GLW, I had thought that I knew the full meaning of that idea. I thought that my eyes were capable of seeing the smallest of difficulties and the fine details of life's obstacles, and then following that, could see possible solutions, but my sight was not fully clear. Sure, the basic ideas were there, but they were still too underdeveloped to really see any completion. This realization never occurred to me until I came to GLW.

Even in my first moments, I noticed a difference. Though initially said differences were invisible to me, many things became apparent upon delving into the world of GLW. My eyes changed the most in those first few days. They were becoming clearer and clearer until I finally felt that I could see. No longer were the days of only seeing the bigger picture; finally the details were perceivable. What captivated me, though, was the fact that only days before Session Two began, I had been so sure that my vision of the world was fine; I had been so sure that I was able to pick apart the details of worldly and communal issues. GLW turned my world upside down, yet in doing so it began to make sense. What further captivated me was that every single GLW participant influenced this change. Each person contributed something that further opened my eyes to the world around me.

Upon my return to my small-town Connecticut reality, it was easy to see my transformation. All throughout the week I had kept a detailed record of our daily events, and in rereading them I noticed that as the week went on, the entries became more and more insightful. Not only could I see it in my writing, I could see it in my thinking as well. It was something intangible that I observed when venturing into the harsh honesty of the world. As I began to open myself to life's various perspectives, I found that my eyes were new - they were bright, they were aware, and they were open. In the midst of summer, these struggles were more difficult to see, but with the beginning of my junior year, it was easier to see the quiet struggles of high school. The best part was that I felt more willing to give my help, and for once I felt conscious of my surroundings.

New eyes not only help in identifying life's details, but they also intend to influence a change or a difference. They are meant to make history and change the world in beautiful ways. They no longer focus on whims or self-oriented issues, but they focus on both the bigger picture and the details at once. All who participate in the GLW experience obtain these eyes, ones that Eleanor had always possessed, and these eyes give hope to the future. A remarkable woman once said "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams," and with new eyes, one's dreams can become a reality. To all who influenced the obtaining of my new eyes, I sincerely thank you.

With Love,
Becca