This blog is just some of my thoughts …

This past Easter weekend was my last 4 days of doing lifeguard duty on Cape Town’s beaches ( Big Bay & SIlwerstroomstrand) for summer 2011 . Now its back to endurance training & staying fit & up to date with rescue techniques until Summer 2012 duty start again in September.

The beach was a bit quiet so as I sat high up on the lookout tower , I looked down at all the different people enjoying their holiday on the beach. This made me think about the YEP community. It really is a community for a wide variety of personalities – but all with something in common – a love of adventure & nature!

I think it is great to meet so many different talented & versatile young people from all over the world.

Some allready had amazing international travel or exchange student opportunities that I can only dream of.

Others do fantastic volunteer work.

Some are into highly intellectual debates in forums about topics that don’t naturally come to my mind.

Others are very good at motivating & encouraging.

Some respond to your mails & others disappear from the community after a while.

Some obviously have more confidence & public presentation skills than I could ever have!

Many had opportunities to join official Yep projects & meetings of international conservation societies.

Some use YEP as a tool to inspire others or promote their work.

Others just like to befriend many international contacts.

Some are privileged to go to private schools & the best universities.

Others go to ordinary government schools & also make a success of their lives.

Some have been members for a long time but did nothing to spread the Pangaea message or did not invite their real life friends to also join up.

Some started eco-clubs @ their school, others just wait for things to happen & maybe join it.

Others challenge you with their initiave & energy.

Some YEPs already know exactly what they want to do in life & is very involved with their interests.

Others like me are only now beginning to learn about all the possibilities out there & figure out where we fit in & what we can do to make a difference.

BUT

I think there really is a place for all in the YEP community. In life, you need creative people who come up with fantastic ideas – and others who have the willing hands to bring these ideas to life. You need the intellectuals to interact & discuss topics, but also those who prefer “doing” much more than “talking”. YEP needs members who like to spend many hours in front of their computers & be active on the website. But YEP also need members who go out & love to do the practical stuff . YEP needs leaders but also supporters . YEP needs the successfull expedition explorers to inspire others to follow in their footsteps. YEP needs everybody with a commitment & a passion in their heart, does not matter what your skills are or where you come from. Many times it is the ordinary people in life who end up making the difference, not so?

So in the end I think there really is a place for everybody in the YEP community – even for an ordinary barefoot sunbleached surfer guy who is eager to learn & with a passion to make a difference right here from the southern tip of Africa!

I would love to know what your thoughts are on this ?