Trajectory

by Maria Corse

I am sure, the scientists among you have a complicated definition (formula) for trajectory. However, for these less than scientific purposes, my understanding will work just fine:  Each of us is on a personal trajectory or track, which is determined by the decisions (big and small) we make every single day, as well as our personal ambitions.
 
Most of you, undoubtedly, have a pretty good idea where your life-path is heading. You have probably made innumerable decisions that have propelled you toward your aspirations, and can, most likely, count on that trend continuing, even though, chances are, you have made a couple of doozies that have sent you into a brief tail-spin.
 
I wonder how many of you, actually, regularly, consider how your particular privileges have influenced the trajectory of your life (and, in some cases, saved your butts).  You often forget that when you have (or feel) the luxury to consider multiple positive options --- you are, quite simply, far less likely to fail, merely, because you have a built-in back-up plan and the world is indisputably wide open.  And, as luck would have it, your children have similar advantages.
 
Unfortunately, many folks, here in the NoCo, as well as other economically depressed areas of the country, are working within the confines of limited options, with absolutely no safety-net, making their life decisions based on pure economics (how many dollars are in their pockets at that very moment).  They are literally choosing the best from the intensely poor selection abject poverty provides. These folks are failing, not because they are lazy or not working hard enough, but rather because they don’t have built in immunity from the ill-fated decisions they are being forced to make, or, for that matter, the confidence to make changes.  This cycle seems never-ending - passed from one closely spaced generation to the next.  Indeed, the babies are having babies - just one more blinking light that we are ignoring, along with the devastating drug culture, and reliance on corrupt industries for jobs, on the dashboard of a broken, irreparable system. 
 
DRC’s dream is to break that pattern – to smash into oblivion.  We offer our students an opportunity to look at life from a different viewpoint other than dejection, apathy, inevitability, and victimhood.  DRC is where they can discover the pure pleasure of exploration and play, and where they learn that being open to new ideas and concepts can bring them great pleasure, as well as profound understanding of themselves and the world they live in. Our ultimate goal is that all of our kids comprehend that their aspirations are achievable because they are built from, not only, hard work, but also passion, creativity, and an unshakable belief in themselves and those around them.  
 
Our message, to the masses of young people here in the NoCo, is that their trajectory is not inevitable.  They can change the direction, as well as the ultimate target, simply, by taking charge of their life – all of the decisions - and not leaving it up to society, culture, or even their family to determine who they really are and where they are headed. 
 
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