Friday, January 17, 2014
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Changing the World with Optimism in Mind
Ghandi's Top 10 Fundamentals for Changing the World
Change Yourself: As a developing leader this has been very important for me. I always emphasize the importance of role models and to improve the world we must change ourselves to show others the way we ought to be. Many times we forget how much influence we have on the lives of others around us and it is important that we keep that in mind when making decisions or acting a certain way.
You are in control: This point was helpful for me because too many times I forget that I control the way I respond to situations. I have to remember to think before I allow myself to get upset or stressed about something.
Forgive and let it go: I have never been the type to hold grudges but this point was still a good one. as mentioned in the post we must forgive people because if we do not it only holds us back and prevents us from gaining all that we can from life.
Without action you aren't going anywhere: I feel that with everything we say we must back it up with an action or else our cause is futile.
Take care of this moment: We must not be too worried about the future or mistakes we made in the past because it keeps us from the joys of the present.
Everyone is human: This is important to remember because if we expect too much from people it can be a great, stressful burden on them. We must keep in mind that all people are subject to mistakes and we have to love them anyway.
Persist: The point made in this fundamental is important for leadership. As touched upon in the post, many of us do not get the things we want because we give up too soon. It's imperative that leaders posses this attribute because they must be determined to achieve both personal and collective goals even when it gets rough.
See the good in people and help them: After reading this tip my eyes were opened. Looking for the good in people is been something I rarely do. Although I do not intentionally focus on the bad, I do not necessarily look at the good either. I am glad that the author brought up the point that seeing good in others help us to be more willing to help them, which is good for growth.
Be congruent, be authentic, be your true self: This point focuses on being aligned in every aspect possible. Being consistent in your feelings, thoughts, and actions is key to functioning with others.
Continue to grow and evolve: This final fundamental is something I value, growth and development. I have noticed that development is a process that can only be initiated by the individual. We all have no choice but to physically grow (in height, age etc.) but to evolve as an entity is a choice. As a leader I am always willing to help others grow and I hope to inspire with my everyday actions.
Be Optimistic, it Builds Your Self-Confidence
The Optimist Creed has many valid points that I think are important to remember. One of my favorite points from the "Promise Yourself" section it was:
These articles were great reads with many nuggets that I will continue to apply in life! On a more personal note, my e-portfolio is going pretty well. I now know what I need to do for it, so all there is to do is to add the material because I have a template made and my blog embedded into it. I am sadden that STARS LEAD is coming to an end soon. I am going to miss our weekly meetings and everyone from the group. Luckily, in the fall semester I will still be involved with STARS by being a mentor for the program. I am excited about the opportunity and I can not wait to begin!
Change Yourself: As a developing leader this has been very important for me. I always emphasize the importance of role models and to improve the world we must change ourselves to show others the way we ought to be. Many times we forget how much influence we have on the lives of others around us and it is important that we keep that in mind when making decisions or acting a certain way.
You are in control: This point was helpful for me because too many times I forget that I control the way I respond to situations. I have to remember to think before I allow myself to get upset or stressed about something.
Forgive and let it go: I have never been the type to hold grudges but this point was still a good one. as mentioned in the post we must forgive people because if we do not it only holds us back and prevents us from gaining all that we can from life.
Without action you aren't going anywhere: I feel that with everything we say we must back it up with an action or else our cause is futile.
Take care of this moment: We must not be too worried about the future or mistakes we made in the past because it keeps us from the joys of the present.
Everyone is human: This is important to remember because if we expect too much from people it can be a great, stressful burden on them. We must keep in mind that all people are subject to mistakes and we have to love them anyway.
Persist: The point made in this fundamental is important for leadership. As touched upon in the post, many of us do not get the things we want because we give up too soon. It's imperative that leaders posses this attribute because they must be determined to achieve both personal and collective goals even when it gets rough.
See the good in people and help them: After reading this tip my eyes were opened. Looking for the good in people is been something I rarely do. Although I do not intentionally focus on the bad, I do not necessarily look at the good either. I am glad that the author brought up the point that seeing good in others help us to be more willing to help them, which is good for growth.
Be congruent, be authentic, be your true self: This point focuses on being aligned in every aspect possible. Being consistent in your feelings, thoughts, and actions is key to functioning with others.
Continue to grow and evolve: This final fundamental is something I value, growth and development. I have noticed that development is a process that can only be initiated by the individual. We all have no choice but to physically grow (in height, age etc.) but to evolve as an entity is a choice. As a leader I am always willing to help others grow and I hope to inspire with my everyday actions.
Be Optimistic, it Builds Your Self-Confidence
The Optimist Creed has many valid points that I think are important to remember. One of my favorite points from the "Promise Yourself" section it was:
"To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best."I notice a lot of people in my life who tend to settle for less than the best. It hurts me to see that they do not recognize their worth. If we were to all give our best and only accept excellence we could live more fulfilling lives. As a leader it is important to me that everyone reaches their pinnacles and to ensure that happens I will encourage them and help them become aware of their value.
These articles were great reads with many nuggets that I will continue to apply in life! On a more personal note, my e-portfolio is going pretty well. I now know what I need to do for it, so all there is to do is to add the material because I have a template made and my blog embedded into it. I am sadden that STARS LEAD is coming to an end soon. I am going to miss our weekly meetings and everyone from the group. Luckily, in the fall semester I will still be involved with STARS by being a mentor for the program. I am excited about the opportunity and I can not wait to begin!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Truths and Ways to Live
18 Truths to Start Telling Yourself: http://www.marcandangel.com/
So if we as leaders want to show the importance of education, we can not do so by simply saying "School is important." We must go to school and earn degrees our selves. In our homes we must show our children (brothers-sisters/nieces-nephews etc.) that we value education by helping them study, complete assignments, and read books. As the fifth truth mentions, we must praise students when they do well. If we do things such as these by being great role models, I believe we can fix many societal problems.
15 Ways to Live, and Not Merely Exist: http://www.marcandangel.com/
Last Friday's session was great! It felt good to be relaxed with the STARS LEAD group, to wind down from the week. Thee capstone video project is coming along, we shot everyone's scene over the past few weeks and then comes the editing process. I am excited to see the finished product!
"5. My actions and words directly affect the lives around me. – Lead by example...People watch what you do more than they listen to what you say. Inspire, challenge and encourage people to their best, by doing YOUR best. And when someone else is doing a great job, tell them that you’re proud of them...recognize their effort."This truth is basis of every thing I do. From past experience I noticed that there were very few people in my community that I could look up to. Extremely saddened by this fact, I decided that I would be the role model that I once longed for. A role model for someone else who needs inspiration. Its imperative that we have leaders in our communities that not only tell others what is important but who are epitomes of that very thing they emphasize. As the blog mentions, people look at actions more than they listen to words. When dealing with children I would argue that words account for a small percentage of influence on behavior. At a young age it can be difficult to internalize words because the physical is more influential.
So if we as leaders want to show the importance of education, we can not do so by simply saying "School is important." We must go to school and earn degrees our selves. In our homes we must show our children (brothers-sisters/nieces-nephews etc.) that we value education by helping them study, complete assignments, and read books. As the fifth truth mentions, we must praise students when they do well. If we do things such as these by being great role models, I believe we can fix many societal problems.
15 Ways to Live, and Not Merely Exist: http://www.marcandangel.com/
"8. Recognize those who love you. – The most memorable people in your life will be the ones who loved you when you weren’t very loveable. Pay attention to who these people are in your life, and love them back, even when they aren’t acting loveable.
12. Leave enough time for fun. – Sometimes you need to take a few steps back to see things clearly. Never let your life become so filled with work, your mind become so crammed with worry, or your heart become so jammed with old hurts or anger, that there’s no room left in them for fun, for awe, or for joy."I believe that these two tips on how to live are important things that many of us tend to ignore. I noticed that many (not all) people who have demanding jobs and busy school schedules tend to forget to have fun. From personal experience, I would forgo going out with friends and fun school events because of my school work. I would always be bogged down with work and studying. Many times I would neglect family and friends. It was not that I did not want to spend time with them, I was just so focused on doing well academically that I failed to do so. But now I understand that school is a priority but my family and friends are as well. My ability to balance school and family has improved substantially, but there is still room for growth.
Last Friday's session was great! It felt good to be relaxed with the STARS LEAD group, to wind down from the week. Thee capstone video project is coming along, we shot everyone's scene over the past few weeks and then comes the editing process. I am excited to see the finished product!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Making No Excuses, Being a Good Ally, and Becoming A Scholarship Junkie
Finding your Power
Scholarship Junkies
Rising above excuse making can be a difficult task. When I get behind in school work it is because I make a ton of excuses. I tell myself, "You deserve a break. You've done a lot of work today. You are tired, you need to rest." But when I start to notice the way this negatively affects me and my school work I snap back! I have to tell myself to continue on and to understand that taking a break does not mean putting my tasks off until tomorrow. I literally talk to myself out loud and say, "Lauren you are not tired. You can do this work, it's not a big deal." As I complete my readings/assignments I encourage myself by saying, "Wow! Look at you, you did it!" And as silly as it may sound, it actually works. That's the way I rise above excuse making. A way to prevent others from making excuses and blaming is to not do it ourselves. When we make excuses and blame others it makes everyone think it is acceptable to do so. If we stop making excuses it can help others to rise above excuse making and blaming.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Being a Good Ally
I can apply this information to STARS LEAD when I interact with the leaders and in my personal relationships. The article mentioned the importance of being open to talk about things even if they make you feel uncomfortable. I had not thought of that before. I think it's probably because I have not talked about any issue that made me feel uncomfortable, but it is good to know in the event that something does happen where I am asked to respond or listen about an offensive issue. The entire post was informative on being a good ally.
Scholarship Junkies
This past Friday was the Scholarship Junkies presentation. The presentation was given by the site's organizer Sam. Sam's story was very inspirational and the fact that he opened up so candidly was great! I think that by doing that he allowed everyone else, particularly the high school students, to feel safe enough to share personal experiences. Throughout his entire talk Sam was very encouraging and invited the participation of the students. Overall, the session was great.
The very thing Sam was exposing the students to is the key to obtaining higher education. With scholarships, college becomes a reality for so many students. When students of different cultures and social classes get scholarships, that means that more diversity will be introduced into colleges. It is this factor that promotes social justice because students would have more opportunities to climb the social ladder and fight for justice for those who are living in poverty. So, I appreciate Sam for sharing his story and teaching the students from Amundsen about scholarships because they are what we need to end social inequalities. I was happy to finally meet the students and I look forward to seeing them again!
Lauren L. Adams
Monday, March 19, 2012
...with Liberty and Justice for SOME.
The "Waiting for Superman" video brought out so many emotions in me. It just frustrates me to my core that things are not equal. One thing that really sent me off was when the kids were reciting the pledge of allegiance; the line, "One nation under God, indivisible with Liberty and Justice for all." Justice does not exist in its entirely because schools are not equal. The video brought up the fact that there are so many students who go to schools and learn at such a slow rate compared to other students. And they do not get the same opportunities. This damages our children it makes it more difficult for individuals to climb the social ladder and live what we consider a better life. Another thing that left me appalled was the fact that on a national level we spend so much money per person in jail that is roughly the cost of putting a child through private school from grades K-12 and there would be money left over for college. This just baffles me, it makes more sense to provide a child with a good education first rather than spend money on jails and prisons. Because I believe a lot of crime can be attributed to idleness. If kids don't feel comfortable or smart in school they are more likely to drop out hence being idle. So using the money to make good schools available for everyone is the best option.
A lot of kids aren't doing well in school because many of them have been labeled as dumb/stupid and they exude just that. Another reason is because their peers don't do well. They have few role models to teach them the right way. As a people we fail to understand that we learn not only by what people say but by what we see as well. It's the process of socialization where we interact and learn what's socially acceptable based on how people respond to our actions. And their response can reinforce or discourage behavior. And if Superman were to rescue students like those in the film, he would change society's view of education. Society would then think of being educated as a necessity, as 'cool', as the norm. The entire socialization process would be turned around. Then students would be more willing to actually apply themselves in school. Another way to fix the problem is to get parents involved. We can do so by changing the way parents view education. Make them believe and know that it IS important. What our parents value is typically what we like to embody and this would ecourage more students perform better in school.
Another way to ensure that social justice prevails and all things are equal is to vote. I believe that many of our issues would be solved if we we're to vote. We need to know who we elect and hold our leaders accountable. We have problems and voting is medium to express our concerns. People don't understand the power they have and a part of that is unawareness of what's actually going on. We are more preoccupied with Bad Girls Club or Basketball Wives or Jersey Shore. We glorify those shows and people in them, and I'm sure if you asked someone who the speaker of the houses people they probably wouldn't even know. But they could name every star on a popular show. It is sad that as a society, we praise the irrelevant things and neglect the important issues. In Illinois, election day is tomorrow, TUESDAY MARCH 20, 2012. USE YOUR VOICE AND VOTE IF YOU'RE A REGISTERED VOTER IN ILLINOIS. IF YOU AREN'T REGISTERED BE SURE TO IMMEDIATELY DO SO! IF YOU ARE NOT AN ILLINOIS VOTER BE SURE TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR AREA.
A lot of kids aren't doing well in school because many of them have been labeled as dumb/stupid and they exude just that. Another reason is because their peers don't do well. They have few role models to teach them the right way. As a people we fail to understand that we learn not only by what people say but by what we see as well. It's the process of socialization where we interact and learn what's socially acceptable based on how people respond to our actions. And their response can reinforce or discourage behavior. And if Superman were to rescue students like those in the film, he would change society's view of education. Society would then think of being educated as a necessity, as 'cool', as the norm. The entire socialization process would be turned around. Then students would be more willing to actually apply themselves in school. Another way to fix the problem is to get parents involved. We can do so by changing the way parents view education. Make them believe and know that it IS important. What our parents value is typically what we like to embody and this would ecourage more students perform better in school.
Another way to ensure that social justice prevails and all things are equal is to vote. I believe that many of our issues would be solved if we we're to vote. We need to know who we elect and hold our leaders accountable. We have problems and voting is medium to express our concerns. People don't understand the power they have and a part of that is unawareness of what's actually going on. We are more preoccupied with Bad Girls Club or Basketball Wives or Jersey Shore. We glorify those shows and people in them, and I'm sure if you asked someone who the speaker of the houses people they probably wouldn't even know. But they could name every star on a popular show. It is sad that as a society, we praise the irrelevant things and neglect the important issues. In Illinois, election day is tomorrow, TUESDAY MARCH 20, 2012. USE YOUR VOICE AND VOTE IF YOU'RE A REGISTERED VOTER IN ILLINOIS. IF YOU AREN'T REGISTERED BE SURE TO IMMEDIATELY DO SO! IF YOU ARE NOT AN ILLINOIS VOTER BE SURE TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR AREA.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Define Who You Are, Be Happy on Life's Journey, and Smile :)
On Friday, March 2, 2012 we had a more relaxed STARS Lead meeting. We did an activity that was great for reflection. We folded an 8x10 sheet of construction paper in half and wrote words/drew pictures that define us. In the past I completed various activities in which I had to figure out ‘who is Lauren Adams?’ but they were not as easy as this. Thinking back I can see that I am developing, and defining who I am. Collectively, we shared our words/pictures. This was interesting because I was able to get to know everyone on a personal level. We do interact at meetings but most of the things we talk about are about topics on social justice and servant leadership, not necessarily topics about our outside interests. I really enjoyed opening up and receiving what others had to share!
After reading this blog post, I felt refreshed. It is encouraging and inspirational! According to this blog, if you...
- Choose to be the best YOU can be.
- Choose to be around the right people.
- Choose to focus on what you have, not on what you haven’t.
- Choose a good attitude.
- Choose to smile more often.
- Choose to take care of your body.
- Choose honesty.
- Choose to help others when you’re able.
- Choose to let go when you know you should.
- Choose to embrace the next step in your life.
...you will choose HAPPINESS :)
I agree with this list presented by ‘Marc and Angel.’ It is important to do your best in all things. Not only that but being satisfied with your best without worrying about others and comparing yourself to their standards. We are all different and if we work at a pace that is best for us we can work collectively at our bests and create something better! Choosing to be around the right people is significant. If we surround ourselves with positive energy we are more likely to exude the same. Focusing on what you have and not on what you haven’t is also a great point brought up by the authors. It can be depressing if we think about the things we don’t have. But if we can be grateful for what we do have we can be happy. A good attitude is crucial to our happiness because if we believe we can accomplish tasks, no matter how difficult, it makes life easier.
After a tough moment of the day, nothing is more rejuvenating than a nice smile. Such a simple gesture, but with so much power and umph! We also have to take care of our bodies. A well rested body in good physical shape means less stress and fewer moments of feeling exhausted. This contributes greatly to our happiness. Choosing honesty and helping others is also great in obtaining happiness. There is just something about helping someone that makes me feel good. Just to know that I made a difference brings me joy! Daily we have conflicts within our relationships. It is best to try to work out disputes. If they are settled that is great!, but sometimes things do not always work out. In that case, we have to understand that its okay to move on. Who knows, moving on may be the best thing for your happiness. Finally, we must remember to embrace our futures! I like this post a lot and I’m going to forward it for others to read.
I began my e-portfolio about two weeks ago which makes me happy! I am having trouble figuring out what I would like to include but I have some ideas. Currently, I am still brainstorming about our end of the year STARS Lead Capstone Video Project but it is in the works. This week was spring break and it has been great! Although I spent most of it studying for midterms and reading I enjoyed it. The fact that I had a break from school was the best part; so studying didn’t ruin it at all! I am eager to return on Monday (March 12) so I can get this spring semester over and get ready for the summer. Over the summer, I will be taking a couple of courses. It is not THAT bad. I just look at it as something I have to do to be on track for my degree, so I’m ready for it!
As you go through this week think about this quote,
“Life itself is a journey after all, and what matters most is not what you are getting, but who you are becoming.”
—The Secret Letters of The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma
Also, please watch this video it makes me laugh and hopefully it will make you smile,
Lauren L. Adams
Friday, February 24, 2012
The Time is NOW!
Tonight's meeting with the STARS Leaders went well. On our agenda we were supposed to meet with students from Amundsen High School. I was really looking forward to interacting with the students but unfortunately they could not make it. Although the students were not able to visit, I am not completely sadden by it. Our group had the opportunity to meet with Nicole and two young ladies from the Empowerment Pipeline. The goal of the Empowerment Pipeline is to empower/encourage students to succeed. The Empowerment Pipeline members are there for students to answer questions that they may have about college or life in general. I think that their efforts are commendable! The fact that I was able to hear about the experiences of the young ladies involved in the Empowerment Pipeline was helpful. It allowed me to develop an understanding of what the STARS leaders will be getting into as we talk with students during future visits. I'm excited and ready to share/give the students all that I have!
Finding a balance in life has been especially challenging for me. I would say that the pendulum theory developed by Dieter Pauwels is completely accurate and applicable to me. In my life there are times where I feel great, other times not so much. Moments where I feel accomplished and moments where I feel like I haven't done anything. The list goes on, but bottom line is I have to remember that I will bounce back and get on the right path. My not so great moments are just as much apart of my growth and development as the high points. The article was uplifting and I will try to remember the important points when I am going through my low points.
W.E.B. DuBois said,
Here is a video clip from one of my favorite movies, The Great Debaters. This clip highlights many of the things I have mentioned in this post. It is appropriate because it also deals with educational inequalities, which is a topic hat we've talked about during our past STARS LEAD meetings. Although it focuses on inequities within education as a result of segregation in America many of the points made are still relevant today. It's a great film and I recommend that you watch it, if you have not seen it before. Enjoy the clip!
Lauren L. Adams
 |
| An ideal place to meditate. (Photo: Lauren Adams) |
Meditation: Before reading the article, 'Why We Find It Hard to Meditate' via Mindful.org, I hadn't given much thought about meditation. I am aware of meditation in general but I don't do it regularly. I think that I probably should meditate at least once a week. I'm sure it would make things so much more bearable. I believe it will be beneficial to me to organize my thoughts or at least just be aware of what's going on in my life. Often times I become overwhelmed by the many tasks I have to complete and just being aware of them I think will remove some of that stress. Next week, I'm going to try meditating for fifteen minutes. I will definitely take advantage of having such a beautiful campus at Loyola (Chicago) and meditate. I'm really looking forward to that experience.
W.E.B. DuBois said,
“Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season. It is today that our best work can be done and not some future day or future year. It is today that we fit ourselves for the greater usefulness of tomorrow. Today is the seed time, now are the hours of work, and tomorrow comes the harvest and the playtime.”I completely agree with DuBois. If we wait for convenient situations we may never get anything done. We just have to jump into things and handle them right away. The final statement shows that when effort and hard work is put in initially, you'll reap the benefits. As a student I take on that type of attitude with my work. I work hard in school now so that I can get a job of my choosing where I am comfortable and satisfied.
Here is a video clip from one of my favorite movies, The Great Debaters. This clip highlights many of the things I have mentioned in this post. It is appropriate because it also deals with educational inequalities, which is a topic hat we've talked about during our past STARS LEAD meetings. Although it focuses on inequities within education as a result of segregation in America many of the points made are still relevant today. It's a great film and I recommend that you watch it, if you have not seen it before. Enjoy the clip!
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