Ever since I can remember, about once a year, my mother helped me round up items I no longer used or needed (gently worn clothes, toys with which I seldom played), and pack them up and put them on our front porch to be picked up for donation. As I placed each item into the box, I hoped that someone else could love it and use it more than I had.
One of the organizations to which we donated frequently was Easter Seals. Founded in 1919 as, originally, the National Foundation for Crippled Children (the first organization of its kind), the name "Easter Seals" was adopted in 1967 (stemming from an early mailing campaign- volunteers would gather around Easter to place seals on donation envelopes for distribution.)
Easter Seals provides extensive services for children living with autism and other disabilities and their families. They work to provide everything from physical therapy to clothes and toys to those affected by disability, and to create a world in which "each child born with a disability is given the support necessary to participate fully in life ant to have dreams and hopes, successes and achievements." Also, their Child Development Center Network is the largest provider of inclusive child care in the US.
I chose this organization because I believe their values are extremely transparent, and are best embodied by their logo, which features a lily, chosen for its association with resurrection and new life, yet is simple, reflecting on the fact that those whom the organization supports ask "simply for the right to live a normal life."
Charity and selflessness are the values best embodied by Easter Seals. Each donation I made lead me to reflect on my own life and how fortunate I was to have my health and the opportunities afforded by it. Also, giving of one's belongings, without doing so grudgingly or condescendingly, instilled in me the idea of what it is to be truly generous. Something so simple as donating one's time or assets, when truly given from the heart, can be a powerful experience that teaches us to be more generous in our daily lives. I believe that Easter Seals perfectly supports these wonderful values, and will always remain to me a pinnacle of the best of humanity.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Core Values
"Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things." -Peter F. Drucker
What are values? I believe their intrinsic nature causes this definition to be relative to each person. Each person can say that they hold core values, but these values vary hugely from person to person, and this affects the way in which people carry out and live by those values.
For me, I closely identify with those four values that AOII's Object exhorts us to "stand at all times for:" character, dignity, scholarship, and college loyalty.
Character is paramount when I examine what values I hold. To me, having "character"is the essence of being a good person. A person with "character" has a vibrant, warm personality; is someone who is multi-faceted yet never two-faced, and is always true to themselves. I strive to build my character every day. I believe character also encompasses having a strong moral compass and the ability to sacrifice one's own needs or wants for those of others. It means striving for the best in every area of life, without making excuses for yourself. It isn't something you either have or don't have-- people have varying degrees of character. One can even have poor character! I try to build a good character through putting others ahead of myself and building good rapport with everyone I meet!.Sometimes it's difficult to do, but I feel that every attempt to do good is a step in the right direction! :)
Dignity can sound haughty at first. But I believe that self-confidence and consciousness of self are products of dignity. Dignity, to me, means holding oneself above normal standards and constantly setting (and reaching!) new goals. Having the self-respect that comes from dignity can lead someone to make better choices for both themselves and their community. One values their choices and opportunities more when one has the dignity to objectively weigh decisions both for themselves and whomever those decisions would affect.
Scholarship has always been hugely important throughout my entire life! (Maybe that's a product of having an English professor for a mother!) But, truly, knowledge is so important to being able to make a true impact on the world. Anyone can go and sit in any class and get a passing grade, but learning for the sake of learning can expand your world exponentially! I find that so important, especially as an international business major. We live in a rapidly expanding, globalizing world, and we have to expand our own comfort boundaries and spheres of experience if we want to keep up, let alone make a positive difference!
As for college loyalty, well, who wouldn't want to be a Buckeye?? :)
One more value that I hold very near and dear is that of honesty. I'm all for keeping your cards close to your heart, but I believe you have to have a certain truthfulness and transparency of motive to trust you, and therefore respect you and ultimately like you as a person. Honesty goes so far beyond simply telling a lie. If you're lying to cover up your actions, honesty is the virtue that leads us to ask why, if we have to lie about it, did we do what we did in the first place? Honestly can be, in this sense, actively avoiding dishonesty. If you never do or become involved in anything which you would have to lie about, then, in effect, you are an honest person! Having the integrity to stand behind your deeds and words (and have no qualms about it!) makes you an honest person.
And, honestly, I believe what I've mentioned here forms a neat umbrella over all I try to do and be in my life! :)
What are values? I believe their intrinsic nature causes this definition to be relative to each person. Each person can say that they hold core values, but these values vary hugely from person to person, and this affects the way in which people carry out and live by those values.
For me, I closely identify with those four values that AOII's Object exhorts us to "stand at all times for:" character, dignity, scholarship, and college loyalty.
Character is paramount when I examine what values I hold. To me, having "character"is the essence of being a good person. A person with "character" has a vibrant, warm personality; is someone who is multi-faceted yet never two-faced, and is always true to themselves. I strive to build my character every day. I believe character also encompasses having a strong moral compass and the ability to sacrifice one's own needs or wants for those of others. It means striving for the best in every area of life, without making excuses for yourself. It isn't something you either have or don't have-- people have varying degrees of character. One can even have poor character! I try to build a good character through putting others ahead of myself and building good rapport with everyone I meet!.Sometimes it's difficult to do, but I feel that every attempt to do good is a step in the right direction! :)
Dignity can sound haughty at first. But I believe that self-confidence and consciousness of self are products of dignity. Dignity, to me, means holding oneself above normal standards and constantly setting (and reaching!) new goals. Having the self-respect that comes from dignity can lead someone to make better choices for both themselves and their community. One values their choices and opportunities more when one has the dignity to objectively weigh decisions both for themselves and whomever those decisions would affect.
Scholarship has always been hugely important throughout my entire life! (Maybe that's a product of having an English professor for a mother!) But, truly, knowledge is so important to being able to make a true impact on the world. Anyone can go and sit in any class and get a passing grade, but learning for the sake of learning can expand your world exponentially! I find that so important, especially as an international business major. We live in a rapidly expanding, globalizing world, and we have to expand our own comfort boundaries and spheres of experience if we want to keep up, let alone make a positive difference!
As for college loyalty, well, who wouldn't want to be a Buckeye?? :)
One more value that I hold very near and dear is that of honesty. I'm all for keeping your cards close to your heart, but I believe you have to have a certain truthfulness and transparency of motive to trust you, and therefore respect you and ultimately like you as a person. Honesty goes so far beyond simply telling a lie. If you're lying to cover up your actions, honesty is the virtue that leads us to ask why, if we have to lie about it, did we do what we did in the first place? Honestly can be, in this sense, actively avoiding dishonesty. If you never do or become involved in anything which you would have to lie about, then, in effect, you are an honest person! Having the integrity to stand behind your deeds and words (and have no qualms about it!) makes you an honest person.
And, honestly, I believe what I've mentioned here forms a neat umbrella over all I try to do and be in my life! :)
Monday, April 11, 2011
My First Blog Post.
The first prompt of the quarter, and where to start?...
I've never even thought of maintaining a blog before, much less thought about what I could possibly write that would be worth taking up space on a server somewhere and worthy of people's attention. I think everyone knows someone (or at least has stumbled across the blog of someone) who uses these public diaries as vehicles of self-importance and inflated egos, creating, at best, rambling posts which no one wants to read, and at worst something that incites outrage and controversy.
So, now that "blogging" is a requirement for academic success, does that give me a right to add my voice to the mix of millions? Is it simply an excuse to publicly display my own self-importance? How much influence will my little corner of the internet have, anyway? I don't know, but I'm about to find out!
Well, without further ado, here goes!
Who Am I?
My name is Claire, and I'm from Cleveland, Ohio. I'm 19 years old and believe that is young enough to justify the fact that I have absolutely no idea what I want to do with my life! I'm not worried about this, though, because I'm a strong supporter of following one's intuition, and feel that trusting my instinct has led me to some of the best experiences and opportunities in my life (attending Ohio State and joining AOII just to name two!)
I am nothing without my family and friends, and feel that every person I've known has in some way contributed to who I am today, making those closest to me a very real part of who I am. That being said, I'm a very private person, and while there's nothing wrong with circumspection, I can come off rather shy and reserved until you get to know me! This is something I'm trying to change about myself (I can't wait until I can speak in front of a class without my hands shaking!) and signing up for this class has been a step in that direction.
I played flute for 11 years, put in countless hours and effort, and is what defined me throughout high school (I was a huge band nerd!) I haven't played since fall, and while the hiatus is nice, I'd like to pick it up again! I suppose, though, I'm just looking for something new to define me!
I value kindness, patience, and reason above all else, and strive for those values every day.
To close, I might as well list some of the more basic stuff! I'm 5'2", blonde haired (dyed!), and blue eyed; my favorite color is turquoise, favorite food is sushi; I'm an International Business major, and adore traveling and exploring other countries and cultures! My favorite place on campus is Mirror Lake, and my favorite thing to do is anything I haven't done before. :)
Why Am I An AOII?
Before I set foot on campus, I knew I wanted to go Greek. It was just one of those things you know, without needing any real understanding of your conviction. Obviously, all of the typical reasons resonated with me- the sisterhood, the opportunities afforded socially, scholastically, and professionally, etc., but as recruitment approached, I found myself repeating one thing- if I could go into this, and put myself on display for 14 groups of girls (something very intimidating!) then I could do anything, and would be a huge step towards overcoming my shyness.
The first day was a whirlwind (smiling constantly, thinking of the right things to say, trying to keep all 14 sororities straight), but at the end of the day, when I filled out my preference card, I remembered AOII and the girls I talked to- I remembered what seemed to me like a real connection. This connection only deepened throughout the next two weekends, and when Bid Day came, I knew that I could see myself as an AOII, and hoped beyond hope that they could see me as one of them as well!
Well, obviously my wish came true, and I am so proud to call myself a panda! Each of my sisters respects and accepts me for who I am, and I, them. Only after a few months of sisterhood, I couldn't imagine my life without the bond I share with each AOII. We push each other to strive for our very best, and I believe this reflects in each facet of my life. My sisters love me for who I am, and challenge me to be the best I can be!
How Do I Feel About the Blogabus?
I'll be candid- I'm a bit daunted! In many classes, the syllabus sets ridged guidelines, due dates, etc. with the most freedom given being a paper with a set prompt. The Blogabus, to say the least, is a bit more "free range!" I feel that, although I don't know what to expect, it will facilitate an ever-changing experience that will grow with each assignment, post and class. I have no expectations- I'm simply waiting to be pleasantly surprised, and pleasantly surprise myself! :)
Well, without further ado, here goes!
Who Am I?
My name is Claire, and I'm from Cleveland, Ohio. I'm 19 years old and believe that is young enough to justify the fact that I have absolutely no idea what I want to do with my life! I'm not worried about this, though, because I'm a strong supporter of following one's intuition, and feel that trusting my instinct has led me to some of the best experiences and opportunities in my life (attending Ohio State and joining AOII just to name two!)
I am nothing without my family and friends, and feel that every person I've known has in some way contributed to who I am today, making those closest to me a very real part of who I am. That being said, I'm a very private person, and while there's nothing wrong with circumspection, I can come off rather shy and reserved until you get to know me! This is something I'm trying to change about myself (I can't wait until I can speak in front of a class without my hands shaking!) and signing up for this class has been a step in that direction.
I played flute for 11 years, put in countless hours and effort, and is what defined me throughout high school (I was a huge band nerd!) I haven't played since fall, and while the hiatus is nice, I'd like to pick it up again! I suppose, though, I'm just looking for something new to define me!
I value kindness, patience, and reason above all else, and strive for those values every day.
To close, I might as well list some of the more basic stuff! I'm 5'2", blonde haired (dyed!), and blue eyed; my favorite color is turquoise, favorite food is sushi; I'm an International Business major, and adore traveling and exploring other countries and cultures! My favorite place on campus is Mirror Lake, and my favorite thing to do is anything I haven't done before. :)
Why Am I An AOII?
Before I set foot on campus, I knew I wanted to go Greek. It was just one of those things you know, without needing any real understanding of your conviction. Obviously, all of the typical reasons resonated with me- the sisterhood, the opportunities afforded socially, scholastically, and professionally, etc., but as recruitment approached, I found myself repeating one thing- if I could go into this, and put myself on display for 14 groups of girls (something very intimidating!) then I could do anything, and would be a huge step towards overcoming my shyness.
The first day was a whirlwind (smiling constantly, thinking of the right things to say, trying to keep all 14 sororities straight), but at the end of the day, when I filled out my preference card, I remembered AOII and the girls I talked to- I remembered what seemed to me like a real connection. This connection only deepened throughout the next two weekends, and when Bid Day came, I knew that I could see myself as an AOII, and hoped beyond hope that they could see me as one of them as well!
Well, obviously my wish came true, and I am so proud to call myself a panda! Each of my sisters respects and accepts me for who I am, and I, them. Only after a few months of sisterhood, I couldn't imagine my life without the bond I share with each AOII. We push each other to strive for our very best, and I believe this reflects in each facet of my life. My sisters love me for who I am, and challenge me to be the best I can be!
How Do I Feel About the Blogabus?
I'll be candid- I'm a bit daunted! In many classes, the syllabus sets ridged guidelines, due dates, etc. with the most freedom given being a paper with a set prompt. The Blogabus, to say the least, is a bit more "free range!" I feel that, although I don't know what to expect, it will facilitate an ever-changing experience that will grow with each assignment, post and class. I have no expectations- I'm simply waiting to be pleasantly surprised, and pleasantly surprise myself! :)
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