Here is a song by Stacey, one of the Novices in Oakland. She wrote, composed and sings here about her experience as a student. It’s called Striving. The lyrics are below and you can watch Stacey perform Striving on youtube.

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Striving

If one word could describe me
Place me in your tiny box
It’s not about the way I act or think
‘Cause it’s changing every moment, thank God.

I can’t believe when people say
That that’s the way things are
The way things always have to be
That life is simply about coping
About getting my own so I can be free

Chorus:
I am striving striving striving
To become the love that saved me from myself
I am hoping trusting believing
That change is possible for you and for me

I acted every kind of role
Thought life was all about pretend
I tried so hard to find love you know
Dreaming that someday the search would end

I thought I’d always be a wanderer
Living in despair and fear
I embraced this lonely state
As my permanent existence
But now I’ve found my way

Chorus:
I’m striving striving striving
To become the love that saved me from myself
I’m hoping trusting believing
Change is possible for you and for me

I’ve found my path of love
Sometimes I’m up, sometimes I’m down
But there’s no doubt in my mind
There’s no time to waste

‘Cause I can’t believe when people say
That that’s the way things are
The way things always have to be
That life is simply about waiting
I’ve found a better way to be

(March 2010)

By Ji-Yun Stacey Jeong, Novice, Oakland