Congrats, CSA.

In the scope of graduate school, tomorrow is a pretty big day. Comprehensive exams. I have spent the past three weeks refreshing and (in some cases) relearning, all of the material that I have digested over the past 1.5 years. We've learned a lot...and looking at it all together, it's clear that we actually KNOW a lot...mountains more than we did at the start. I'm proud of that, but what I think is more impactful is the knowledge that I've gained that cannot be accurately portrayed on a written exam.

I could make a pretty long list, but something that is undeniable to me is that I've gained a much greater ability to consider perspectives alternate to my own (I'll refrain from applying theory here). My mind has expanded and I can feel that it has more space to consider opinions that are opposite mine, to love people who have come from places I will never see (both physically and mentally), and to just generally find the good in all people and situations. The cliche phrase "someone is always fighting a harder battle" has personified itself in my students, classmates, and colleagues and that makes me thankful for them and for all that has led me to this day. I can tell that I am still new at this though. I sometimes have to fight to consider where someone is coming from, often have to "fix my face" when I disagree, and have to overcome my own unfair judgments. I stumble all the time, but this isn't something that gets mastered.

When I committed to entering this program almost 2 years ago to the day, I had no idea that this would be one of my greatest lessons. I expected to learn student development theories. I knew that I would have the opportunity to build relationships and I knew that I would be pushed and challenged. I hoped that I would experience leadership retreats and a dynamic staff environment. Those expectations have all been surpassed, but I did not know that almost under the table, my heart would grow, my mind would become more well-rounded, and that together, they almost became more human...or maybe just helped me become more me. 

So, congratulations, CSA program. I think you've won...and my little student affairs loving, comps-fearing heart is thankful.

Things I've Learned - A Reminder

"Life isn't about finding yourself. It's about creating yourself."

I was thumbing through some old papers this week and came across this list. I wrote it when I was on the plane home from my graduate school interview at USF, which would make it about 1.5 years old. Some of these are really great reminders and some of them could be amended with things I've learned since being in Tampa. #15 is still true...it is amazing what just one year can bring.

Things I've learned in Atlanta:
1. Long distance relationships with friends and family take work but are invaluable.
2. It is 100% possible to want to do your job every single day.
3. God does not live in Ohio and is bigger than I will ever be able to understand.
4. I will never get sick of southern winters.
5. Tin Lizzy's is the best choice always.
6. Sometimes, people will have more faith in you than you have in yourself. That is a good thing. But, at some point, you need to decide to listen to them.
7. A 45 minute commute will eventually get old.
8. Follow your dreams. Especially when they match your passions.
9. Never be too tired or too busy for late night phone calls and hang outs.
10. Make time.
11. Let go and let God.
12. Set boundaries and take time for yourself. Take a sick day!
13. Decide to invest in other people. Personally, spiritually, professionally. They could end up being your legacy.
14. Don't care so much.
15. Do not underestimate the length of a year - wait patiently.

Still thankful for that time in my life!

Airplane Thoughts - Resilience.

Something about traveling makes me extra reflective. Here is my TPA - CMH brain dump:

My job teaches me a lot every single day. This week, a theme seems to be the idea of resilience. Humans as a whole are incredibly resilient. We persevere through heartache, confusion, and illness. We fight disease and we walk through failure. We work on teams that change, we work on projects that get cut, we get caught in the rain, and through it all, often without thinking, we just keep.on.going. We run marathons, heal from broken bones, and overcome all kinds of loss. We adjust, we fight, and we place one foot in front of the other - no matter how small the step. Have you ever stopped to think about how incredible that is?  (Go ahead and do that…) What teaches us to be that way? Some of it is just human nature and the way our bodies naturally function - wild, huh? Physical resilience is nothing short of a miracle but it is something we can only influence. Often we don't hold the control.

What spurs us on though when the more emotional situations occur? Are we intrinsically resilient psychologically? I tend to think that we are not - at least not entirely.  I'm learning that it is important to identify what helps you to be this way though. Find out what helps you keep on and make sure to always have it close. Who do you want to call when you've had a stressful day? What is the first thing you want to do when you get home? What hobbies and interests have followed you from one place to another? Those are the things that really speak to our souls and help us to know that if our entire world changed tomorrow, we would make it through. 

One of our greatest tools, in my opinion, are relationships with other resilient people. We all need people who can tell from just a "hello" what kind of day we are having. We need people who can remind us how persistent we have been in the past and can reassure us that it won't stop now. Once you find them though, make your thankfulness known and do not let them get too far. These people make us stronger. They lighten our loads and sometimes even carry it for us when it feels too heavy. I guess you could call that resilience in numbers and that is pretty powerful.