The beauty of Flint: What it taught me

Flint.

I love this city. At the same time I’m sad for this city. I’m sad that so many people can’t see its potential or that some people can’t realize that it’s not the city it once was.

It’s changing. And there are so many people and organizations that want to see great things happen in the city.

But, you see, I used to be that person that was a little unsure about Flint. So much has changed over the past few years. And I’ve learned so much.

I’ve been put out of my comfort zone, talked to complete strangers, took over a community cookout with some friends, helped create a blog to tell stories of people who have lived on the streets (Flint Stories Project).

I have been changed. Flint has changed me. Flint’s people have changed me.

Here is what I have learned:

• Everyone has a story. Listen to it. Learn from it. Don’t judge.
• If we want to see Flint changed, we MUST take action. Talking about it and brainstorming about it is not good enough. Change never happened by simply talking about it.
• Being committed and continuing to show up even when it’s inconvenient for you makes a bigger difference than you know. Allow people to trust in what you believe.
• Some people you meet downtown will be crazy. Love them anyways.
• Some people will make you uncomfortable. Being in your comfort zone isn’t as great as it sounds. Being uncomfortable helps you grow.
• Doing great things in Flint or in any city will not be easy. It is stressful. But it will be worth it.
• Be open to suggestions. Things can always be improved. But hold on to your vision and your purpose.
• Try and go with the flow. Things will change. Things will not always go as planned. It is OK.
• Try new things anyways.
• Flint is beautiful. The people are beautiful. They are just looking for a little hope and people who care.

If you haven’t been to Flint in awhile, do yourself a favor and get downtown. Check out the new Flint Farmers Market. You will not be disappointed. Check out the coffee shops and restaurants downtown.

Take a look around. See what cool things are being done.

I have seen friends put flower planters around the city encouraging others to fill them. Guess what? People did.

Forge Flint was created last year by an amazing group of people to bring groups to Flint to fix up homes and the community. Guess what? It has been hugely successful. Lives have been changed.

There are many other groups and people that have been doing things for years to make this community better. Why not join them instead of joining the masses who just talk about change?

Are we living?

Live. Laugh. Love.

I know, so cliché, right? Or is it?

Often people will look at that phrase that is plastered over merchandise in stores and look the other way because we believe it’s overused, just another saying or even cheesy. But what if we really thought about those three short words.

Live. Do we live life to the fullest and see the joys in even the smallest pleasures of life. Do we take chances, risks or adventures?

Laugh. Do we take time to surround ourselves with laughter, smiles and people who bring us both? Do we laugh at ourselves and allow ourselves to completely let go?

Love. Do we allow ourselves to put others before ourselves and truly love them? Do we open ourselves up to also be loved?

It’s been a month since the world lost one amazing woman after a battle with cancer. Amy Mitchell was like a second mom to me. She loved without hesitation, truly caring for the people who have crossed her path.

She had one amazing sense of humor. She knew how to find the positive in every situation and how to make an event truly an event to remember. Life for Amy was about making things fun and exciting. She knew how to laugh, even at herself.

And she knew how to live and appreciate life. As she went through treatment, she still had a smile on her face. She would count her blessings and not focus on her hardships. She told me that she was OK with whatever was handed to her because how could she ask for God’s blessings if she didn’t also take the challenges. She was strong.

I remember going over to the house just to grab some mail I had there or something I was borrowing from a family member and I would end up talking with her for a good hour. Amy genuinely cared for people and their lives.

And she loved her family beyond words. Her marriage to Leonard was encouraging and wonderful to see. She raised three beautiful daughters and one handsome son, who each have a bit of her in them. I know she would be beyond proud of them every day of their lives.

Life is precious. Why do we wait for someone to be taken away to realize that? I hope that I can learn from everyone around me while they are with me and not take them or opportunities for granted.

One month later and I still think about Amy’s impact. How she lived. How she laughed. How she loved.

Haiti: Beauty, Love, Strength

“Nothing works in Haiti, but everything works out.”

This wasn’t my first trip to Haiti. But in a way it was a brand new experience.

Let me start with the lesson we learn with every trip there: You can’t control the circumstances, but you can control your attitude. After spending an extra hour at Bishop Airport making sure all of checked bags made it all the way to Haiti, well… let’s just say we could have spent that extra hour doing almost anything else and been happier.

When we arrived to the Port-au-Prince airport -- now air conditioned! -- we were missing nine bags and one person. Oops. All were stuck in Florida. But what can you do but move forward, right? And all were safely returned to us the next morning.

See, everything works out. And it was all worth it in the end.

We spent three hours in a van driving around curves, over mountains and past more beauty than I’ve seen in Haiti before. We had the opportunity to spend a few days in Borel, Haiti, which is a rural area filled with lush mountain sides, farm land, dirt roads, trees, coastlines and unfortunately many mosquitoes.

There we partnered with Water Project For Haiti (Check them out on Facebook). They took us in with open arms, taught us more about the beautiful country and paved the road for us to install more than 50 water filters in two days!

I want you to take a moment and think about the water you use on a daily basis. Brushing your teeth (was not safe for us to do out of the faucet in some places), showering (had to keep our mouths shut), drinking (no).

One filter the size of a trash can. 100 pounds of sand. Two bags of rocks. $80. Separate those things don’t seem like anything. But put together they create a better life for a Haitian family. It brings better health and hope.

Even our team could forget that at times. We did our job. We installed the filter. We prayed for the family. We went on to the next home. One home was a little bit of a hike over some hills, across a stream and through what seemed like a field of corn. The view was amazing. But what stood out more was when we went to leave, the man of the household came to each one of us and made sure to clasp one our hands with both of his.

To him, this was more than a filter. It wasn’t worth $80. It was priceless.

I love Haiti. It’s because even when it seems like they have little, they still have appreciation and hope.

“Nothing works in Haiti, but everything works out.”

So even when it seems like we are doing simple acts, we could be making a huge impact. A lesson I don’t think should stay in Haiti.

Let’s not forget about the children, the adorable, heart capturing children. We spent time at three orphanages and a children’s hospital. Spending time with the kids, playing with them and communicating even when we couldn’t speak the same language.

One little girl, Fetna, didn’t speak at all really. But she stole my heart and I spent hours with her just hanging out and taking selfies on my phone. Yes, every child loves a good selfie.

We asked ourselves one night, what difference we were making. We aren’t really there long enough to form a solid relationship. We, like other groups, are coming and going just as easily. But we reminded ourselves that we become a few more drops in the overall picture. 

We chose to show them love when others didn’t. We chose to take the time that we had and have a little fun with them, play Legos with them, kick around the soccer games and yes, take more selfies. You would really be amazed how long they could take control of your phone J

How you spend your time makes a difference. Whether in Haiti or in Flint or wherever you are.

I could go on and on. But one of the things that made this trip different that last year was simply the number of different sides of Haiti we had the pleasure to see from a giant waterfall we got to climb to a private beach we had all to ourselves to a memorial for those who died in the earthquake to a traditional Haitian market to a church service spoken almost entirely in Creole.

Even among an area most people see as damaged and in despair, there is beauty.

To make a difference: Stop talking and simply do

“Everyone is trying to accomplish something big, not realizing that life is made up of little things.” ~ Frank Howard Clark (American Screenwriter)

When you look back on this time of your life five or 10 years from now, what will you remember? Will you remember how busy you were with classes or how many long hours you spent at work? I’m sure you will.

Will you remember the late nights out with your friends or the times when you made some stupid decisions? Again, the answer is yes. But I hope I can look back a decade from now and not wish I would have done more or spent more time forming relationships, friendships or forgetting my own priorities to help someone who could use my time more.

I often hear people say, “I wish I could volunteer more.” Or “I want to make a different.” OK… what are you waiting for? The opportunity might not jump in front of you or fall into your lap. At some point we must stop talking and start doing. It won’t be easy and it might not be comfortable, but wishing we could do more won’t make an impact on anybody.

Please keep in mind when reading this, that I am speaking to myself, as well.

Taking action, however, may interrupt your social life or take some away some of your weekend spending money. It may take some sacrifice. But I truly believe we were not made to go to school, work, or go out for the night and call our days a success.

I started reading a book called “Kisses from Katie” about a girl right out of high school who decided to move to Uganda and pour out her love on the children there. Don’t freak out or start shaking your head saying, “Well, not everyone can move across the world.” I’m not saying you have to, but she’s a great example of what can happen when we stop talking and starting doing.

The first page of the book let me know it would be powerful:

           

“People who really want to make a difference in the world usually do it, in one way or another. And I’ve noticed something about people who make a difference in the world: They hold the unshakeable conviction that individuals are extremely important, that every life matters. They get excited over one smile. They are willing to feed one stomach, educated one mind, and treat one wound. They aren’t determined to revolutionize the world all at once; they’re satisfied with small changes. Over time, though, the small changes add up. Sometimes they ever transform cities and nations, and yes, the world.”

Not everyone, obviously, will go down in the history books or have a book written about them. But what is stopping us from making one day better for one person? My friend, Patrick, and I started the Flint Stories Project in the fall. We listened and shared stories of people who have had rough lives, lived on the streets of Flint or simply had a great story to tell. It captured a lot more attention than we ever thought it would. Readers seemed to really appreciate what we were doing, but then when we challenged our readers (there were hundreds) to go and talk with someone, listen to their story and share it with us, we got one. ONE.

Why? What is stopping us from making moves toward action? I do not believe we were called to live ordinary lives.

I hope when I look back on my life a decade from now I don’t regret missing an opportunity to talk with someone or build a relationship. I hope I continue to learn from my flaws and mistakes and challenge myself to step out of my box and comfort zone and do more than just talk about should be done and just do it.

Take time and challenge yourself this week. You never know what you can accomplish until you try.

I am Sarah Schuch and I am Relayer

When I first began participating in Relay For Life at college, the word cancer didn’t mean much to me. I wanted to get involved in a community event and Relay seemed like a good way to do that.

Seven Relay For Life events later and it means so much more to me. I truly believe that almost everyone – if not everyone – has battled cancer, knows someone who has or knows someone who has lost a loved one to cancer.

In college, two of my close friends lost their moms to cancer. Over the past year I have had the honor of getting to know three beautiful girls in Genesee County fighting cancer. I was able to spend time with them for a feature I wrote for the Flint Journal, visiting them at home and at the hospital for treatments. They made my Relay experience even more important. (Read more about the girls here)

Even when things got hard for them they had such a positive attitude. They were truly inspiring.

I have heard countless stories of other kids, teens and adults fighting for their lives. If you’ve ever been to a Relay For Life, you know the people at the event have a special bond. They walk for 24 hours, but it’s a year-long mindset.

Relayers are like a family. We celebrate the survivors and cheer them on during the survivors lap. Many shed tears last year when the survivors walked that lap even as a storm rolled in. The singer performed “I will praise you in the storm,” and as the cancer survivors came around the track the sun became to peak through the clouds.

As a Relay community we take time to mourn, remember and cherish those who are still fighting or have lost their battle. We light up the luminaria bags and silently walk to remember why the fundraising efforts are so important. We never forget those who did not make it to see a cure.

We pledge to fight back. Whether through education, fundraising, research or a helping hand to those who need it, we make a pledge to make things easier for others.

My heart breaks for those who spend years trying to kick cancer out of their bodies. I will most likely never find a cure for cancer. I may never lose anyone close to me because of cancer. But today I choose to do something.

I am on the planning committee for Grand Blanc’s Relay For Life, which takes place on June 1. I am also on team with some of my friends (Mosaic Flint, join us!). One in 100 people are Relayers. Crazy, right?!

I am only one. And I could use your help. My fundraising goal is $500. Money doesn’t just go to research, but programs that help make life easier for those who have cancer. Please, if you can spare anything consider donating to this cause.

You can donate to my page directly here: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/SarahSchuch

For more information about the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life events visit www.relayforlife.org. For the Grand Blanc event go to www.relayforlife.org/grandblancmi.

Capturing the Moment. Enjoying the Moment.

I do not claim to be a photographer. But I like capturing moments and having fun with it. So when one of my best friends asked me to shoot her engagement photos, there was no way I could say no.

The best thing about the experience wasn't the photos themselves but the memories we made as we did it. I have not only been apart of both Aliscia and Aaron's lives since we were freshmen in college (Aaron kind of invaded my dorm room and Aliscia and I became inseparable after our first journalism class) but now I have become a part of their future.

I love my friends. The day we took the photos was proof. Aliscia had to be to work at 2, so instead of canceling we chose the next best option... waking up way to early to be in Detroit when the sun came up. We were determined to get some photos. And that we did.

It was cold, a bit too sunny and we were on a time crunch. But we found some cool parks, bridges, a non-water spewing fountain and backgrounds and we made sure to take time to have a lot of fun. Because if everything is taken too seriously then it all goes by too fast.

Congratulations to two of the best people I know! Let's get to the wedding planning :)

The Day I Met Batman

"Sometimes the people we meet change us forever." ~ Ben Affleck (Forces of Nature)

When I think about why I chose to be a journalist, it's not about the stories I write or the rush of a deadline. It's about the people I meet.

There are people who you may pass on the street and not give a second thought. They may have a cool story to tell. Other people are doing great things and might one day change the world. Then there are those people who are just themselves, but that's all they need to be to make an impact.

I had the honor of meeting one of those people. His name is Owen Wright and he is 5. Oh, and one other thing: He's a little person. ... Little person, Huge personality.

He greeted me in the driveway when I came to his house. He instantly wanted to show me around, calling for the "newspaper lady" to come look at all his toys. I'm pretty sure I didn't stop smiling the entire time I was there, especially when he tried to play fight his dad with foam swords or when he made shadow figures on the wall (in broad daylight I might add). The kid never stopped. ... unless of course it was to look up more Batman costumes on the Internet.

He said he will be Batman when he grows up. And who I am to tell him otherwise? I mean, how cool is it to know Batman personally?

Besides instantly falling in love with Owen, I learned a valuable lesson. If you don't treat someone like they are different than they may not realize that they are. If we stop treating people like they are less important than others, there's no saying what they can do in life. Well, one thing Owen might never do is a dunk a basketball. But even his dad said he can't do that.

Owen is a bundle of energy and ready to make friends with anyone. That's my challenge to you. Put yourself in Owen's shoes. Don't look at the world like you aren't good enough. Instead run full force into life, even if you fall. Because he does his fair share of that. But he bounces right back up again.

I had the pleasure of doing a story on Owen and joined him on his first day of kindergarten!

Check out the story here on MLive.com. The pictures that go with it are absolutely adorable and will make you fall in love with Owen, too. Trust me.

Now I will just have to be patient and wait for the day when the Bat Signal flashes in the sky.