A former colleague and friend of mine creates a theme each academic year for his college students. I've been thinking about this idea for a few weeks now because I think an academic year theme, for me, is much more practical than a New Year's Resolution. A new academic year means many changes- a new weekly schedule, new students, new events, new goals for my office, myself, and my students, and new opportunities. The New Year only symbolically offers those things to me and I'm already carrying out the previous semester's "To Do List", so I will stay true to my roots and go academic year.
After much deliberation, I've decided that my personal theme will be "Change what I can."
On especially stressful days, I find myself reciting the serenity prayer to myself.
I find the prayer does help me center myself, prioritize problems, and remind me that I cannot control everything. I can only control myself, my attitude, and how I treat other people. My job requires quite a bit of event planning and I've learned over and over again (because I frequently ignore this simple fact) that no matter how much I plan and organize, something will happen that I did not account for. I need to just accept that and roll with it. I also spend a fair amount of time trying to change people- I have a hard time accepting that it is not my job to challenge, encourage, and hold accountable every person I've ever met. (... Or maybe that is a good thing... jury's still out on that. Maybe that will be a whole post in itself!)
In fact, recently, while speaking to a relative's boyfriend who I do not know very well, I was asking him to tell me a secret or tell me what he is afraid of. You may think that is a weird and intimate question to ask someone whom I do know very well, and you are right. I have a habit of doing that! My friend walked over while I was talking to him and said "are you student life-ing again?". I couldn't help but laugh!
I also need to control my schedule more. Sincerely, last semester, I had at least two days each week that I had less than 45 minutes outside of meetings. Mind you, those meetings I left with more to be added to my to-do lists. So I would be sitting in a meeting, getting more to do, and stressing about all the things I should be doing while in said meeting! It was exhausting. The truth is though, I did not need to go to every meeting, and I did not need to take on all those tasks- I was just jumping at every opportunity. So this year, I am never going to spend more than half my day in a meeting. I am writing that here to hold myself accountable!
Sometimes, I take on too many projects and spread myself too thin. I've let people down, been considered unreliable at times, and I spend far too much time feeling guilty about not returning a phone call, remembering a birthday card, or being present at an event I was invited to. I believe this would all be avoided if I was honest with myself about what I can handle and manage. I take my job very seriously, but my husband, family, and friends are more important and I need to keep that in perspective.
So, the energy I spend getting frustrated about things beyond my control, about other people, and about the world at large, I will instead use to affect change in my own corner of the world where appropriate and practical. I will read books to be more educated on world problems and the psychology of human interaction. I will say no to that superfluous meeting that I really do not need to be present at so I can use that hour to get things done. I will accept people for who they are and only interfere with their lives when I am invited to. I will keep myself to a 40 hour work week as much as possible so I can honor my personal relationships appropriately.
Have you ever considered creating a theme for yourself? If you have, I challenge you to create one with me this year. Comment below to tell me what your theme is, I'd love to hear it- and maybe you'll inspire me for next year's theme!
Wish me luck!
Thank you for visiting my new blog! This is quite an endeavor for me, and a bit of an impulse, but writing things out has always made my mind operate more logically, so a page for my thoughts seemed appropriate.
For those of you who just stumbled here, I am a 20-something student affairs professional who is deeply devoted to my job and my students. Currently, my philosophy on my career is that I am an educator first and foremost. That means for me to do my job well, I need to get college students to think, analyze, and grow. I do this by attempting to manage their out of classroom, or co-curricular, experiences. Each academic year provides new students and new challenges. My personality thrives in this environment!
I am married to an absolutely wonderful man who consistently challenges me and encourages me, while also making me laugh constantly. Together, we have a rowdy 110 lb Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy aptly named Blitz. We enjoy kayaking, boating, reading, summer nights, and just spending time together when we can find it between our two quite conflicting schedules.
My style is very open and honest and I really believe that if someone can learn something from an experience I've had, I will share it. I am also always all over the place. It will not be uncommon for me to talk about relationships one day, a funny story another day, or politics and faith the next.
I chose the title of my blog "Roots & Wings" because of the quote pictured below. So far, I have not been able to find the origin of the quote, but let me be clear that it did not originate with me. My undergraduate degree is a Bachelor's of Art in History and anyone that knows me can tell you that I quite enjoy the stories of "why" and I always need context to understand. This truth shows through in my story-telling style because I want people to understand information in the same way I do. This does not always make me a good story teller! But yes, our history is our roots, and since it is not healthy to live in the past and it is not healthy to stagnate, wings are even more important to see what we are really made of. So, here I go, examining my roots and spreading my wings. Thanks for stopping by.
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