My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.

Dr. Maya Angelou

Over the years, I’ve found great inspiration in Dr. Maya Angelou.

Her words of wisdom often couple compassion with pragmatism. She doesn’t beat around the bush. She looks you in the eye and speaks straight from the heart. When I need a north star, I look up to Dr. Angelou.

Today I look up and I’m dazzled by a whole galaxy of stars, blazing away.
It’s summer at VOBS, and our success is measured in belonging, strength and purpose. But what does that look like?

It looks like miles and rods. Knots and maps. Bug bites and dirty fingernails. Sausage and orange cheese. Gaddo-gaddo and flappers. Starry nights. Rain and wind on water. Berries in the bush and eagles on the wing. There are sunsets, moonrises… and always day breaks. But the more important metrics are these:

– An extended hand, or paddle –
– An arm around a shoulder –
– Shared laughter, and shared silence –

– Words of encouragement –
– Tears of frustration –
– Ears to hear –

– Action, despite trepidation –
– Resolve, despite fatigue –
– Above all, compassion –

Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.

Dr. Maya Angelou

How do you measure VOBS’ progress against goal in the middle of a very busy Outward Bound summer?

Listen to students share appreciations around the fire or exchange laughter across canoes. Look at how a young man pauses to consider his “edge,” before he climbs over the edge. See the young woman who walks back down the portage trail to shoulder the mondo for a tired crewmate. Hear the words that we all want to hear:

“You got this.”
“I know you can do it.”
“I know I can do it.”
“You are amazing.”
“Keep going.”
“Don’t give up.”
“Thank you.”
“I couldn’t have done that without you.”
“There is more in me than I know.”
“I know I can change the world.”

By the time this summer is over, more than 600 students will go Outward Bound with VOBS. Close to 300 of those students will go Outward Bound tuition-free. Boundary Waters, Superior Hiking Trail, St. Croix Riverway. Lakes, streams, waterfalls, cliffs, bogs, rocks and mud. Grummans, paddles, packs, ropes, tents, pots, socks, sweat, wet shoes and slammers. Morning meeting and evening reflection. Goal-setting, navigation, problem-solving, forming, storming and norming. Excitement, fear, courage, risk, failure and success. Rise, rinse and repeat. Six, seven, 10 days, 22 or 55. That’s a lot of challenge and discovery, without deodorant or a phone. After all of that adventure, these emerging leaders will return to their families, schools, jobs and communities with two indispensable tools: leadership and compassion.

You can only become truly accomplished at something you love.

Dr. Maya Angelou

We LOVE this work. Our students are our purpose. We are humbled to help them change the world, and awed by their passion to lead with compassion.

To our students, staff and champions: Thank you for making compassionate leadership possible this summer. VOBS progress is measured by your belonging, strength and purpose. We are not only better together, we make the world a better place together. We can’t go Outward Bound without you.

About the Author