Page 6 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, April 2019

6
April 2019 news www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb
Thunderbolt http://www.luke.af.mil
(from Page 2)
TRAGEDy
Chaplain’s thoughts ...
Find purpose by adding value to others
by Chaplain (Capt.) ALEX CALINISAN
56th Fighter Wing Chapel
The Easter season is upon us, and in my faith tradition as a Christian, I am reminded of the impact Jesus made while interacting with people on this earth. His love for people and acts of service provides meaning for so many faith groups around the world.
One of the interactions I’d like to highlight, was when Jesus was watch- ing his disciples struggling to catch fish. They were seasoned fisherman and had been fishing all night, and had caught nothing. The frustration was evident among the disciples and upon assessing the situation, Jesus directed the disciples to cast their net on the right side of the boat.
The disciples followed the instruc- tion, and caught so much fish they could not possibly haul the net onto the boat. Instead, they dragged the net onto the shore and took some of the fish, and put it on the fire for an amazing breakfast! As they were gath- ered around the fire, Jesus was able to provide value, meaning and context to
a situation that would have otherwise been an ordinary, uneventful fishing attempt by the disciples.
Depending on your faith back- ground, the acts of Jesus can provide us with many spiritual truths and practical applications. As I watch people go about their everyday lives, I wonder how many times we become stingy with our knowledge, wisdom, or even skills. Unfortunately, at times, we’d rather watch people struggle with the things they’re doing, while all along knowing we have the expertise to teach people to make their lives easier and achieve their goals.
I know I have been fortunate enough to receive knowledge and wisdom that could be helpful to our fellow Airmen. Through my conversations, I have heard stories of workplaces where their culture belittles their fellow Air- men because of their lack of knowledge instead of using their expertise to teach people how to succeed.
In the end, the goal in our progres- sion is not to step on everybody on our way to the top. Ultimately, the goal is to strive for excellence for the completion of the mission, and to elevate everyone
around us so that we all move up to- gether.
It’s easy
to become
critical as
an onlooker
when it comes to teaching people how to “fish.” Mentoring and educating those around us takes time out of our busy schedule and is definitely a commitment. Although it may seem counterintuitive to use our time intentionally in this way, the value you provide others, as the story of the disciples fishing suggests, will have a disproportionate, positive return to you.
The idea of giving people “fish“ is great and has its place; however, teaching people how to fish by help- ing them refine a skill, make a better living, or even get out of a bad situ- ation is empowering and provides a way for people to develop meaningful purpose and fulfillment.
For more information, or to speak with a chaplain, the Luke Air Force Base Chapel at 623-856-6211.
Chaplain (Capt.) Alex Calinisan
school. As I sat on the bench out front, I looked over to the field of cows across the road and took in the beauty of the area around me.
I was startled by the screeching of tires and a deafening, unforgettable sound of a crash. My heart dropped, and my whole body was completely numb. I could no longer see beauty, but instead I could only see the sight of a semitractor-trailer and what was left of the small, blue SUV my friend had been driving.
I felt as if my brain and my body were incapable of working together, yet somehow I found myself in the dean’s office trying to explain to him what had just happened. The expression on his face was of shock and confusion as we both ran back outside to the scene of the crash.
As we reached the vehicles, I saw the man who had just killed one of my best friends, a sight I will never forget. Rage and hatred consumed me as I watched him stumble around throwing up, unable to stand on his own two feet due to the amount of alcohol in his body, completely unaware of the life he had just taken.
Bloodied snow and shards of glass painted the road where we stood together, overwhelmed with emotions, waiting for the police and ambulance to arrive. I tried my best to comfort my friend as he barely clung to life. The paramedics whisked him away and I was rushed inside to give my statement to the police.
The next few hours were filled with tears, emotions and questions from the police, students and faculty. We sat around quietly, some students left early while others stayed together trying to find comfort in one another. The school solemnly informed us that our friend and classmate had passed away due to the injuries he sustained. There seemed to be no expla- nation that could console us.
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