All Chapters Must Come To An End: My Final Farewell to DC

      As I lay here on the carpet of my studio apartment in Arlington, Virginia, it's almost hard to accept the reality of the situation; tomorrow, I'll be boarding a plane with nothing but a backpack. The amount of growth that I've gone through since August 2012 is almost indescribable. I came to the nation's capital as a very lost, recently heartbroken (at the time), and unemployed young man. I'm leaving an even more mature, accomplished, well traveled, and career focused individual. I've never been good at goodbyes, so I'll try my best to keep this concise, straight, and to the point.

     Two years ago, I boarded a train. Scared, excited and anxious, I couldn't contain my emotions and excitement. From a young age, I knew that me and Florida were not meant to be. These past five years have been amazing; living in Chapel Hill, Boston, and Washington, D.C., have allowed me to expand my understanding of different cultures, religions, and ways of life; growing up in an affluent suburban city filled with the majority of Jewish families, I didn't have a great chance to make friends and acquaintances with people from different socioeconomic backgrounds. After devoting a large portion of my free time in college to leadership positions for my fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Pi, the largest Jewish fraternity in the country (and the world), and other Jewish organizations like Hillel and Chabad, I was ready for a change.

          Finding friends when you're new in a big city is a lot like finding a job; you never know how and where you'll find them, and a friendship is formed when you least expect it, much like a job offer. Social networks and online portals are becoming popular for everything, including finding roommates, friends, and potential significant others. While some might be embarrassed to admit it, I'm not. My first friend, who will remain to be one of my closest that I've met since moving to Washington, DC, is someone that I met at the spur of the moment. While looking for potential roommates on Craigslist, a stranger reached out to me. A stranger turned to a friend quickly, one of my closest.  If you do not work for a large consulting firm, where you work in teams, or for other organizations that hire lots of recent graduates, building friendships with co-workers can be a disappointing and impossible process. Though, I must say that I met one of my other closest friends while working as a temporary employee for a membership association in DC. Like anything else in life, everything is all about introductions and expanding your networks. Through mutual friends, I was able to build strong relationships with amazing people.


     
         Moving to and living in a foreign city is not meant for everyone. You must have a certain personality and be willing to take initiative to seek out opportunities to meet people; putting yourself out there, and not being afraid to look outside of your comfort zone. Growing up, most of my friends came from very similar backgrounds; mostly all Jewish and came from upper-middle and upper class families. If I had to describe my immediate friend group in DC, I would say that we were a very diverse group, much like a blended fraternity or sorority. Each of us came from completely different backgrounds, had different interests, yet still shared a common connection that allowed us to strengthen our bond. While this may sound hypocritical, if you're someone like me who is easily frustrated by disconnection, then DC (any big city really) might not be for you. Described as one of the most transient cities, D.C. definitely left me in tears at times. In my two years, I've said goodbye to friends, who decided to take their talents to New York and Boston. I've never been one to stay tied down to one group or to have an exorbitant number of friends; I've definitely made some great friends here, who I hope to stay in touch with for many years (if not a lifetime).

      Aside from brushing up on my knowledge in a social context, living in a city that is the hotbed for the nonprofit sector, I was able to pursue my passion after accepting an offer with one of the most recognizable nonprofit health brands in the country. Being able to follow my dream (at the time) of being an event planning professional for a nonprofit health organization, was both a blessing and an eye opening experience for me. We learn a lot about ourselves when we least expect it; an important lesson was learned on the job. Doing something as an extracurricular and volunteer activity has a different value than when you're performing it as a means of survival. I've always been passionate about raising awareness in the community and procuring funds for research for critical health issues. After being the middle-man, indirectly implementing change in the community and world, I'm ready, willing, and will be fully able (after I receive my MPH and complete my formal training in the field) to take the challenge, and work on designing health programs for children in developing countries, and interact directly with these communities as I strive to improve the overall health of children in low-resourced and low-income areas.

       Living in Washington, DC, like anything in life, has been a large learning experience for me. Outside of college, it was the true test for me to survive on my own; forcing me to enter the gates of adulthood, and be a mature and financially responsible individual. I was afforded many wonderful opportunities in this city, able to build friendships and make the acquaintance with many invaluable figures, and most importantly I was stretched, bent, and perfectly molded into a stronger and more experienced individual; experience in both a professional and social context. Thank you to everyone who has played an instrumental role in my adventure in DC these past two years. I wish each and every one of you a life filled with nothing but success, health and happiness. Stay in touch, and always know that you have a home in New Orleans. Adieu!

The Final Days in the District: Change is Ahead

The Final Days in the District: Change is Ahead

"But it's my home, all I have known

Where I got grown, streets we would roam
by: Brad Phillip Weisberg

Uncovering the Scraps from the Past Two Years

     As I sit here dusting off my furniture and recycling extraneous remnants from these past two years, I begin to visualize the moments, both happy and sad, that I have witnessed here in DC these past two years. Two years ago, I made the bold decision to jeopardize everything that I worked hard for in South Florida, in search for something bigger and better. I left nothing on the table, including my long-distance relationship with my at-the-time serious girlfriend. Lost and unsure of where I was headed in life, I came to Washington, DC with a very open mind. Over these past two years, I’ve learned alot about myself; challenging myself to reach outside of my comfort zone in more than one way. They say experience is your best teacher; the experiences that I had the opportunity to take part in during my time here in D.C. have challenged me, bending me in different directions and forcing me to grow into the man I am today, much stronger and better fit to maneuver through the obstacles in my life.

Realization Leads to Growth

    When I first moved to Washington, D.C., while it’s hard to still admit, Iwalked down Pennsylvania Avenue with balloons hanging over my head. I believedthat the world owed me something, and that based on my professional andpersonal experience, I should not of had to wear the same shoes as everyone else and walk down the same road as others. After graduating from college, I considered the name of the university on my diploma to be a true measurement of my intelligence and potential; influencing my perspective of employment trends for recent grads, and how I felt more deserving and qualified than others, mainly those who graduated from less prestigious universities. Week after week, application after application, interview after interview, the anger continued to kick in. Forced to find a means to survive in this expensive community, it was time to put my ego to the side, grow up, and get a job, ANY JOB! If you want something bad enough, you MUST make sacrifices; it was time for me to make mine.

       After volunteering, interning, and working as a development, event planning and marketing professional out of undergrad, I thought that I wanted to work towards the role of Chief Development Office (CDO) for a major nonprofit health brand. Working in a fast-paced, sales environment has slowly sucked away my passion for fundraising and development; what once brought me joy has caused me much difficulty and personal conflict. I’m not knocking those who wish to pursue careers in nonprofit development.  Many of my closest friends and colleagues are extremely intelligent, driven and passionate individual who are making adifference in the world. I’m someone who lives to be challenged; needing to live everyday with purpose, and knowing that when my time comes that I lived a meaningful and a life of fulfillment. I am incredibly grateful for everyone who has mentored me and gave me a chance, and I will take many of values, skills, and experiences with me to serve as invaluable resources as I continue my education, spread my wings, and build myself into a successful global healthconsultant.

And we are lead to those, Who help us most to grow if we let them, And we help them in return

            People come in all shapes and sizes,your friends included. Over these past two years, I’ve really evaluated my friendships; realizing that it is time for change. Most of my friends growing up in Boca Raton, Florida still remain to be my closest ones; our values,beliefs, and socio-economic backgrounds tend to mirror each other. Time truly does make one’s bond stronger. Life markings; watching each other struggle, as well as celebrate, draws you closer to one another. Growing up, I’ve been that missing link; the one keeping everyone connected to the string. As someone who values the relationships I’ve built both in my professional and personal life, it’s extremely difficult for me to cut people out of my life; though I’m realizing that it’s time to adjust how I measure the strength of my acquaintanceships and friendships. Founding the chapter of my fraternity at the University of Miami and being a brother of the chapter at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill really opened my eyes to the diversity that exists in the world. A brotherhood is a microcosm of the world; although we may share similar cultural values and are attached by a status marker, we’re all built differently, in both a physical and mental sense. There are brothers who were All-State and All-Country wrestling champions, brothers who graduated at the top of their class, even brothers who were average in every way possible,which there’s absolutely nothing wrong with, no matter how others might have viewed them. Although we were all brothers, over time we really learned who we could count on in the middle of the night; those who were loyal, trustworthy, and not going to go behind our backs and bad mouth us, or try and sleep with our girlfriend out of envy.

          Being the good guy can be an extremely exhausting role, trying to see the good in everyone while blocking out their flaws. College and my past experiences have taught me that it’s best not to set any expectations;expecting others to do what you would say or do only leaves you frustrated and angry when they do not deliver. Selfishness is a trait that exists in every single human being; don’t fault others, just learn how far you’re willing to go for others. Over time, you will learn whether or not something or someone is worth pursuing. From being in a fraternity, working in many different environments, and opening myself up to form relationships with people from all walks of life, I learned that people come into your life, and exit just as easily. Individuals are not necessarily bad, it’s more of a concern of compatibility.

         Growth will continue to take place in your life, my life, and in everyone’s life. Especially in these years, a transitional phase, we’re continuously discovering new things about ourselves. Living in a city, that was once foreign to me, for the past two years has had an incredible effect on my personal and professional development. As I pack my bags and make my way to New Orleans and Tulane, I will take the lessons that I learned in the office and on the streets of DC as I continue to carry on in this adventure called “life”.

A Season Filled With Unexpected Storms, Spring Is On the Way

A Season Filled With Unexpected Storms, Spring Is On the Way

by: Brad Weisberg 

So, it has been a while since I have written a new blog post. A lot like the weather outside, life has been a bit of a whirlwind of events the past few months. I cannot sugarcoat it, although we’re only a few months in 2014, it has already presented us with many challenges. Shortly after the ball dropped, the champagne was poured and we welcomed in the new year, my sister received news that would forever change her life. After experiencing severe pain and a state of physical freeze on her face, my sister was rushed to the emergency room. A few hours later she learned her fate, when she was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called trigeminal neuralgia. While this news came as a shock to my sister and family, we all have been incredibly strong and positive throughout the whole process thus far. Conducting her life as she did before, serving as an asset as an RN at the Moffitt Cancer Center during the daytime and carrying out her healthy lifestyle in the evenings and on the weekend, she is definitely a source of inspiration for others living with chronic ailments.

Traveling down this long and winding road that we refer to as life, we sometimes are slowed down by unavoidable potholes and other fragments. Overcoming these hardships make us stronger and more capable of coping with future tragedies, though they can also produce negative effects on our minds and bodies. Even if we take all precautions to keep our bodies safe, that might not be enough. Environmental agents and biological processes can be explained as a cause for disease in certain situations. However, there are still many mysteries of disease that have still not been unraveled, and continue to puzzle doctors and scientists alike. It is no secret my medical history has been pretty complex and mystifying for the past eight years. We can continue to search for answers and the root causes of my cancer diagnosis, though our findings will be nothing but unproven theories. It is unknown to me whether or not all of the medical challenges that I’ve been facing these past few years are connected to cancer and prolonged side effects, or if it is just my body continuing to reject me. Answers would be nice and might bring some closure to us, though what’s done is done, and it’s more important to learn how to adapt to the changes. While I will not go into the specifics, it is of utmost important to develop a consistent and effective treatment plan. Learning how to manage pain, whether that’s physical or psychological, requires a regiment of prescription medicines, therapeutic treatments, and exercising. Keeping your mind and body at an equilibrium is a twenty four hours, seven days a week process. As a part of adjusting to the changes, we must use our creativity in order to devise new methods to carryout everyday tasks.

While others might question it, I have always been pretty open about my health and past experience with cancer. I do not want anyone’s pity; I do not need anyone’s prayers or strength. I share my story in order to educate others. Being able to provide others with the knowledge and skills needed to live and fight disease is important to me. Through channeling my frustration and anger and using my determination to bring relief to others, I am able to face the facts. Seeing others live in pain and their lives being transformed by a medical condition both boggles my mind and infuriates me. What even bothers me more knows, that there are individuals who do not have access to the resources and tools needed to battle disease. At times I feel selfish, and at others I feel fortunate. Even though I must live with scars and medical imperfections, I’m blessed. I believe that everyone should have the rights to a happy, productive, and meaningful life. This does not mean that I condone living in a socialistic society, and for the purpose of this blog I will leave the politics out.

            Living in the nation’s capital has been an exhilarating experience. I have been afforded with many great opportunities here, have met incredibly great and interesting people, and most importantly have grown immensely. The District continues to fascinate me. While I wish the weather was behaving better, it has not had a profound effect on my lifestyle. As the months draw nearer to my event, the shock factor is building up. It’s much too soon to know where I will be next year, and for that reason I will continue to live in the moment. As the weather begins to warm up and real signs of spring approach us, it’s time to put the future on hold and live in the now.