What’s a better way to get inspired than meeting new people from diverse backgrounds? This past weekend, I had the pleasure to go on a retreat with about 130 other people on campus about an hour away from campus. This retreat happens every year and is known as the Posse Plus Retreat. Last year, this retreat was held in Lancaster at a 4-star hotel. This year, it was at Camp Hebron in Halifax.

When the Posse Foundation announced this year’s theme for the retreat, I was not excited to attend. However, during the drive there, I realized that this was just another opportunity to hear various voices, perspectives and opinions. Although I am required to go as part of my scholarship program, it is not necessary for me to participate. Some of my friends did not attend the workshops, but I made sure that I was present and contributed to the conversation. It was interesting to hear all of the different issues that people face on campus and how they felt. It was powerful to be included in the discussions regarding these issues. It was inspiring to hear everyone speak up about their struggles.

Inspiration happens all around us. As humans, we are inspired by things that we see everyday, whether we know it or not. The energy that was in the room and on the campsite transferred from individual to individual. Ideas bounced around the room. You could literally feel the passion in everyone’s voice. I had the opportunity to meet new people and make connections with them. Hearing everyone speak in the room about issues they personally felt passionate about was extremely inspiring for me. It was so inspiring that I did something that I thought I’d never do– stand up in front of about 130 people and talk. (If you know me, you know I absolutely hate public speaking. It’s a miracle that I stepped out of my comfort zone.) If I wasn’t inspired by the energy in the room, I don’t think I would have done so.