do it anyway

Surrounded

My postcard to you this well-deserved Friday:

I remember reading someplace that to stay inspired and committed to excellence, you must surround yourself with people of the same mind, and that is what I have experienced this last month.

As the final four assignments this past month were all being hammered out on our laptops and created from the academic pages we mulled over, I started to feel a sense of camaraderie I hadn't experienced or even been particularly grateful for before. Being a bit of a lone wolf (perhaps from too many disappointments) I've spent the last two years keeping much to myself, getting my work done, and yes, making friends in the process, but this month I've realised how much I have needed others, and some moments where I couldn't have made it without that support. To keep you in the right path, to support and be supported by, and learn from - particularly since this is a human services degree it could not be more vital to each one of us - as we work together. And this is something you just can't maintain surrounded by people without the same aspirations and hopes and dreams and standards. 

That's why I went into higher education, because I didn't just want a job, I wanted something that would make a difference in others lives and change my life too. I also wanted to be surrounded by those type of people too, because no human being can carry the case load in human services alone. It's a niche choice of professionalism, and not everybody leads their careers this way, but believe me it is worth it going to sleep at night and knowing you've endeavoured to live to your full potential.

So here is a massive thank you to those friends who have shared their knowledge, learning and support with me this last year, from first, second and third years!

Congratulations to those of you who are beginning a new chapter of your lives as you graduate and a promise to those of us who are still getting there. To class 2015!

Dialectical Thinking

In my last two years as a student I've experienced as many as, if not more, emotions as the next student.

Excitement, anticipation, ambition, enthusiasm.

Disappointment, disillusionment, frustration, apathy. 

You name it, negative and positive I've felt it. 

But I've plodded on, for many reasons. It was only during research for my assignment on Perceptions and Discourses of Childhood, that I identified the type of thinking I had developed, and how powerfully it can be used.

Firstly I would like to disclaim any understanding of this mode of thinking, analysing and reasoning. I'm going to give my take on the matter and how I apply it in my own life and learning, but if you are join going to reference it please make sure you understand it well before using it.

Referred to as dialectical thinking, I have read Basseches' takes and examples of this mode of thinking, and to be honest I love it! It's a way of taking life but the 'horns', not letting it effect you negatively or ride you, but using what life throws at your to your advantage.

Person A might think … let me dump these assignments, I don't like them and I won't be controlled by grades and universities, or future corporate agencies for that matter. I'll do my own thing whenever I want however I want.

Person B might think … I've GOT to get these grades! I have to agree with everything that theory says. This is the only way that I can get anywhere in the world.

But Person C meanwhile thinks … well I've got this opportunity for learning and experimenting with some of the great theories out there. I've got lecturers that want me to get good grades and tell me what I should do. I don't HAVE to do all these things because I have my own mind and my own agenda, but I will utilise what I have been given. I will listen to what they have to say, I will do my best at my assignments according to my learning and what I get out of the research. I will try to get the best grades I can but I will not compromise on what I believe in and dream of doing with my life.

It's a type of thinking that takes everything into account, doesn't make harsh, rash decisions, but thinks for the long term and with the respect to who and what is around. It's not letting situations use you, it's utilising your situations to build your life! And today is the beginning of the rest of your life!

Here's a little more reading on the topic, please comment if you understand something different as I am curious if I'm the only one who sees it think way.

Michael Basseches 2005

CriticalThinking.org

Transitions and Transformations in Learning and Education

#100HappyDays 1-9

If you're a social network surfer then you've probably seen the current trend of #100HappyDays; one of the more inspiring and meaningful trends drifting on and off our cyber-walls (check out nicknomination and neknomination if you don't believe me). 

Using a photo or just a simple sentence, document your life for 100 days in 100 things that has made you smile (one for each day). I've too many friends saying their life sucks, or they are unhappy, but in my opinion (and painful experience) it's due to not taking the time to appreciate, relax and enjoy your life! It's hard and terribly sad that we can't take two minutes to appreciate the sun shining after you've left a demanding day at work, or a precious moment with a friend, but it's not impossible.

By the time I am finished, 100 days later, I will have 100 photos captured (come rain or shine) that depict what has made me happy, made my day, and a little reminder of why my life is worth living. I definitely recommend signing up here and sharing it with your friends to enjoy this life that only comes once and is too short to be spent without happiness.

A Reflective Moment on a Wet and Gloomy Day

Wet, wet, wet week this week. Amidst the perks and excitement of student life, lies the plain old hard work of assignments, lectures and seminars that sometimes I just wish I could miss. But here is the moment when a professional is born - at least that's what I keep telling myself.

University and the professional world isn't always going to be a walk in the park, sure there will be days when you wake up and you can't wait to get started, but then there are the other days when you make yourself get up. Sometimes you'll love your assignment/work and enjoy the exploration and new learning that goes with it, other times you'll just want to quit, and wish it was all over. You'll go into university/work and hi-five your mates and roll with the day, and others you'll just want to go back to bed.

But it's in these moments that you keep going that greatness becomes you. Just don't give up, keep going and keep climbing, and through the pressure and stress and hard work, a diamond will form and believe me when I say you will be glad you kept going. When you look back on your life/university years, you will see the person you wanted to be, who didn't give up, who believed in his/her cause and ability, and achieved great things.

Good luck!