Katy Murphy

As I look back now, I can see so clearly and beautifully how much Tomorrow’s Present had an impact on my life.  I had the very special opportunity to be involved in three main activities with Tomorrow’s Present.  In high school I was a part of the planning and implementing of workshops based around helping young people to be creative peace makers called Hope is Something You Do. 

Because of my relationship with the coordinator of that program, I was invited to attend a week-long retreat at Holden Village in Washington State based on the book “Way to Live.” 

After that experience I was invited to be a part of a weekend institute of young people involved in Fund for Theological Education (FTE) programs.

Being a part of the Hope is Something You Do workshop team was huge in my development as a young leader in high school.  I learned about working in a group, about planning and preparing a project, how to be creative in presentation and about how to work through differences.  I had the awesome opportunity to work alongside other inspiring high school students who wanted to make a difference in the world.  In the process of teaching other young people about peace-making and conflict resolution, I learned more about myself and how I can create peace in my life, family and world.  I now know how true this adage is: to really learn something yourself, teach it to someone else.  That is what happened to me regarding my ability to be a peace-maker.

Following up on that process, I had the incredible opportunity to go to Holden Village with other young people and adults to talk about, think about, and share about how we choose to live our lives well.  That retreat was incredibly formative for me in many areas; from how I choose to eat, to spirituality, to my relationship to the earth, to how I interact with others.  It was unlike anything else I have ever done and taught me that there are many amazing people in the world working towards living in harmony with God and others.  I still marvel at the openness, care and love I found in that community of strangers and continue seeking to create that kind of world around me.

That fall I was able to attend a gathering of other young people that had been involved in other projects funded through the Lily Foundation in Indianapolis.  I remember sitting around in a circle talking about all the interesting programs and issues that people had been involved in.  I remember rooming with a young woman from a southern state and the fascinating conversations that we stayed up late having about our families, spiritualities and experience in high school.  I still remember thinking that we had had such different experiences but yet were able to share together about our faith and appreciate our differences.  I also remember thinking how special it was that we were all able to participate in the programs.  I enjoyed listening to my peers share about all that they had learned and how they had grown.

Looking back now, I can see how much these programs have affected the way I choose to live, work, play, pray, and engage with my world.  I will forever continue to make peace in my world, to take actions that create harmony, and to actively believe in the power of sharing deeply with others.  I am ever grateful for the chance I was given to grow and learn about myself, others and my world through Tomorrow’s Present.

Thank You.