"You are a member of a strong sorority, one that ranks with the best in the country. Live it, talk it, dream it, work for it. In no other way can you so effectively convince others of its beauty, its greatness and its power."The Phoenix, 1916
This lovely phrase has been something that has been repeated my members of my sorority Alpha Sigma Alpha since it was published in 1916 in our national magazine. I really need to remember this phrase today!All across the US, sororities are going to recruitment. It is one of the best times of the year for sorority women. We get to show off everything we are and aren't. We get to welcome precious new members into our eternal bonds and show them exactly what it means to be part of a sisterhood that stands for so much more than the stereotypes we fight everyday. I know Greek Life is not perfect. The reason those stereotypes are there are because somewhere at some point they were probably true. Nonetheless, I stand by the fact that going Greek and joining Alpha Sigma Alpha was the best decision I made in college. It granted me beautiful sisters that have been there through my hardest moments in life and ones that will stand beside me when I get married one day. I allowed me to have a greater appreciation for myself and everything I am capable of. And lastly, it has allowed me to become the proud and strong woman I am today - filled with poise and purpose, determined to make my life and the life of those around me better.
With that being said - it really frustrates me when people openly mock Greek Life in pure ignorance. I am the first person to say that it is not for everyone. It needs to be a personal decision that a person makes. ALSO, I am willing to say that you probably will never fully understand why people participate or what it is like unless you join it. I have plenty of people in my life that fall into those two categories. It is probably not for them and they don't fully understand it. However, please don't openly make fun of Greek Life. I dedicated 3.5 years of my life in undergrad to being a sorority woman and have actively participated in the alumna way of life since leaving my chapter. When you take pictures with a sign that says "I am a sorority woman" and make stupid poses - I am deeply offended.
People in your life are supposed to care about you and embrace who you are. You want to have a conversation about Greek Life? OKAY! I am open to that. I will help you understand why it is so important to me. If we have already had that conversation and you still decide to be ignorant - then I am pissed. I expect more of the people who I choose to let into my life. I have been dealing with ignorant people since I was born. But I will not tolerate it from people who are supposed to be better than that!
Needless to say, my opinion of someone plummeted today.
Sorry for my rant at 9 AM but I had to get it out.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
a change in mental attitude
I have loved the Biggest Loser since it has started. It was one of those few shows that my mother and I always enjoyed together. Since she has been gone, this hasn't changed. (SO EXCITED FOR THE PREMIERE).
However, even with my love for the show, I still had a lot to learn.
The famous Jillian Michaels is quoted as saying "You can look for external sources of motivation and that can catalyze a change, but it won't sustain one. It has to be from an internal desire." BRILLIANT RIGHT?
The other day I was running and had a revelation. JILLIAN MICHAELS IS RIGHT! I want to be health - but this time, I want to do it for me. No matter how many times I wake up in the morning and say "man she is pretty - I wish I looked like that" or "if she can do it, so can I" - unless I put my mind to it, it won't happen. And the fact is that all those "shes" who did it, only did it because THEY wanted to. Not to compete with someone else. Why do we all spend so much of our time basing what we decide on what other people are doing or will think.
However, even with my love for the show, I still had a lot to learn.
The famous Jillian Michaels is quoted as saying "You can look for external sources of motivation and that can catalyze a change, but it won't sustain one. It has to be from an internal desire." BRILLIANT RIGHT?
The other day I was running and had a revelation. JILLIAN MICHAELS IS RIGHT! I want to be health - but this time, I want to do it for me. No matter how many times I wake up in the morning and say "man she is pretty - I wish I looked like that" or "if she can do it, so can I" - unless I put my mind to it, it won't happen. And the fact is that all those "shes" who did it, only did it because THEY wanted to. Not to compete with someone else. Why do we all spend so much of our time basing what we decide on what other people are doing or will think.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
decisions decisions decisions
One of my besties put this on Facebook just a few minutes ago: "Even as an adult letting go and moving on are the hardest and most humbling of decisions to make, but it can be done. The last year has brought so many decisions to the table for me, some very big and some small, some involving just me and some not. Although the decision making is far from being done in this season of my life one thing I know for sure is that in the end the decisions truly don't belong to me. The path and the people on the journey are already set for me and my eyes have been opened to both the good and the bad. I will pray for the ones that can longer endure the ride and embrace and hold on tight to the ones who can."
This woman is such an inspiration I hope one day, I am a wonderful mother like her. Everything she does is about her children and what is best for the family. Plus she is beautiful, successful and absolutely fabulous.
On another topic - this statement above is so true. Having made some crazy decisions in the last couple years, I still truly believe that everything happens for a reason. There is a reason I am in TN and it is going to serve a greater purpose in my life. Even when things haven't been fully worked out, it is inspiring to know that I will make it through and come out a better me. People always talk about becoming better versions of yourself and having a positive effect on the people around you - but unless one makes a real effort, a genuine effort, the outcome will never be as truly good as it could have been.
I strive to continue to make each day a great one. I know that my success in TN is 100% based on me. If I want new friends in my life, I need to go meet them. If I am bored everyday after work, I need to do something about it. If I want a creative or spiritual outlet, it is on me to find it! Here is to making TN a great move for me - above all else.
This woman is such an inspiration I hope one day, I am a wonderful mother like her. Everything she does is about her children and what is best for the family. Plus she is beautiful, successful and absolutely fabulous.
On another topic - this statement above is so true. Having made some crazy decisions in the last couple years, I still truly believe that everything happens for a reason. There is a reason I am in TN and it is going to serve a greater purpose in my life. Even when things haven't been fully worked out, it is inspiring to know that I will make it through and come out a better me. People always talk about becoming better versions of yourself and having a positive effect on the people around you - but unless one makes a real effort, a genuine effort, the outcome will never be as truly good as it could have been.
I strive to continue to make each day a great one. I know that my success in TN is 100% based on me. If I want new friends in my life, I need to go meet them. If I am bored everyday after work, I need to do something about it. If I want a creative or spiritual outlet, it is on me to find it! Here is to making TN a great move for me - above all else.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Holidays
It is always interesting how the tiny things changing can have a huge effect on oneself. I mean LIFE changing.
Learning has always been an passion of mine. Just this weekend, I drove back up to White House to seem my old house from when I was little. A lot has changed in that town. However, I was gitty when I drove around and saw the old library - still located next to the athletic fields. I spent so much time in that library while the rest of the family was out enjoying softball. I never considered certain career fields. But with everything my family and I have been through, I am so excited to start considering being a counselor with a specialization in grief counseling. I am still working through everything I am going through, so why not continue that growth by helping others as well. The downside to this - I didn't take any of the pre-reqs in undergrad. So before I can apply, I need to complete statistics, abnormal psychology, and general psychology. Then I have to find a program and take the GRE.
But that is in the future. The big thing laying on my mind is the upcoming holidays. I know that we just entered September but when you live 11.5 hours away from home, it is important to start thinking about these things early. It is already decided that I am spending Christmas in VA Beach (or Harrisonburg). But what about Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a hard time for my family. This year will be the 3rd anniversary of my mother's death. They say that is gets easier - but lets be honest. It doesn't! The decision becomes is it worth the money though. Everyone has different opinions.
My opinion = it is only worth it if I get to spend time with my family. That seems to be the issue though. Brittany has to work the day before/after so she isn't planning on coming home. Amber said she has to work too - but I would get to see her on Thanksgiving day. Dad doesn't have to work - BUT Bonnie wants to do something not in St. Louis. One thing I don't want to do - spend my entire holiday with my father and his girlfriend.
I don't think people sometimes understand the importance of holidays. The whole point is to spend time with the people you love. With my mom gone, it seems my family chooses to not "celebrate" because it is not the same. I get this. I miss her each day - it is a bottomless sadness. It is crazy to think that I don't have that nuclear family to return too.
Learning has always been an passion of mine. Just this weekend, I drove back up to White House to seem my old house from when I was little. A lot has changed in that town. However, I was gitty when I drove around and saw the old library - still located next to the athletic fields. I spent so much time in that library while the rest of the family was out enjoying softball. I never considered certain career fields. But with everything my family and I have been through, I am so excited to start considering being a counselor with a specialization in grief counseling. I am still working through everything I am going through, so why not continue that growth by helping others as well. The downside to this - I didn't take any of the pre-reqs in undergrad. So before I can apply, I need to complete statistics, abnormal psychology, and general psychology. Then I have to find a program and take the GRE.
But that is in the future. The big thing laying on my mind is the upcoming holidays. I know that we just entered September but when you live 11.5 hours away from home, it is important to start thinking about these things early. It is already decided that I am spending Christmas in VA Beach (or Harrisonburg). But what about Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a hard time for my family. This year will be the 3rd anniversary of my mother's death. They say that is gets easier - but lets be honest. It doesn't! The decision becomes is it worth the money though. Everyone has different opinions.
My opinion = it is only worth it if I get to spend time with my family. That seems to be the issue though. Brittany has to work the day before/after so she isn't planning on coming home. Amber said she has to work too - but I would get to see her on Thanksgiving day. Dad doesn't have to work - BUT Bonnie wants to do something not in St. Louis. One thing I don't want to do - spend my entire holiday with my father and his girlfriend.
I don't think people sometimes understand the importance of holidays. The whole point is to spend time with the people you love. With my mom gone, it seems my family chooses to not "celebrate" because it is not the same. I get this. I miss her each day - it is a bottomless sadness. It is crazy to think that I don't have that nuclear family to return too.
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