Contributed by Ivan Perez, Shinnyo-en USA Chicago Youth Association
My day began like any other: up at 6 a.m., shower, and morning chanting to center myself. This routine prepared me for the final retreat of the Infinite Paths to Peace (IPTP) Leadership Retreat series #3 for Shinnyo-en Chicago and Midwestern young adults. Begun in 2016, the series aimed to nurture young adults into stronger leaders — not just for themselves, but also for their temple communities and beyond.
The retreat took place at Loyola University’s Retreat and Ecological Campus in Woodstock, Illinois, about an hour northwest of Chicago. On the way to a morning volunteer event hosted by Warp Corps — a Woodstock-based nonprofit focused on homelessness, mental health, and youth outreach — I got a flat tire. It was the first time this had ever happened to me. Distracted by my phone for just five seconds, I veered into the median curb. I was upset, convinced I’d miss the volunteer event or even the first day of the retreat. Thankfully, I had a spare tire and managed to replace it. The experience taught me a valuable lesson: when driving — much like in life — focus is everything. A moment of distraction can quickly derail your path.
Lessons on Leadership
These IPTP Leadership Retreats taught me that leaders are like drivers of an automobile: they must stay focused on the road ahead, guiding themselves, their communities, and even the world toward a meaningful destination. Without direction and attention, it’s easy to get lost.
What I learned is that everyone can and should be a leader, regardless of the role they take on. Leadership begins with leading ourselves — with the purpose of serving others and our communities. Today’s world urgently needs leaders who embody selflessness, compassion, and adaptability. I saw firsthand that when challenges arise, the only way to create positive change is to decide to act.
As young people, we must recognize our own power. If we see a need in our communities, we can’t wait for someone else to step in — because often, no one else will. We must take responsibility, becoming careful and focused “drivers of change,” working to improve lives and praying for the greater good, just as the Shinnyo Masters did before us.
Warp Corps: An Example of Action
Warp Corps itself began with one person who saw what was missing after the closure of a local skate park. Without that positive space, many teens turned to drugs, leading to arrests, overdoses, and tragic deaths. After attending funeral after funeral, the founder decided enough was enough. Using his resources and community connections, he built an organization dedicated to youth development.
Years later, Warp Corps is a movement — helping young people grow into adults who not only contribute to society but also lead others toward a better future. Their story reminded me that everyone deserves to feel they belong, and that they are worthy of love and care.
Moving Forward
Leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about choosing, in everyday moments, to set an example — in our homes, workplaces, and communities. It’s about keeping our eyes on the road ahead and moving, even in small ways, toward a better world.
Each of us has a role to play. If we believe in ourselves and take that first step — starting the car and driving — we can truly change the world for the better.
Enjoy more photos from the IPTP Leadership Retreat #3 in Chicago here.