Is it cliche of me to say that with the end of summer comes the final paragraph of another chapter? I think it is, but I'm going to say it anyways: with the end of summer comes the final paragraph of another chapter.
At the beginning of our life our chapters are neatly divided up for us: birth to preschool, preschool to kindergarden, elementary school, the brutal years of middle school, and high school. Throughout those periods of our life we live and grow much like our peers. We all learn to read, ride a bike, and eventually drive a car. But then, we graduate from high school.
At that point, everything changes.
We no longer have nice, defined chapters ahead us of. Some of us go on to college, whether it be community college, the local university, or Harvard; some of us go to trade schools; some of us go straight into the work force; some of us go into the military. As soon as we graduate from high school we have the freedom to define our own chapters. We pick the characters, the adventures, the danger, the plot. We are our own narrator.
Take a minute and think: how are your chapters defined? Do you go year-by-year? Is college one huge chapter for you? What are those points that call for a break in the reading? For each of us, these are different. No two people have the same book because we all surround ourselves with different characters in different settings with different plots. Naturally, we all end up in different places at the end of our stories.
As my family vacation is wrapping up, I can't help but to think that another chapter is closing in my book. The final paragraph will be written over the next couple weeks; but what will it say? In my head the title of this chapter is "University of Cincinnati: Year Three." How do I write that final paragraph? How can I sum up what has been the best year of my life so far? I feel like I should mention all of my friends and family. I should mention the university that has made all of this possible. But what about my professors? My employers? I could write about the path that I took; the options that were laid out for me by others. I could talk about all the great times I had with my SigEp Brothers or the disagreements that I got into with friends.
The options are endless. But if I had to write the final paragraph of that chapter, it would look something like this:
With one week left until the start of Fall Semester, I can do nothing but be thankful for the opportunities that have been presented to me over the past year. Without the incredible people in my life, I would not be the person that I am today. Whether it was serving my Brothers as President of SigEp or serving others in Haiti with friends, I was presented with a truly unique set of opportunities over the last year. I met some people that I will never forget...and some people that I would probably like to forget. I traveled to some incredible destinations. Fittingly, this school year ends with a week spent with family and a week spent with friends. I cannot ask for anything more and I hope next year brings even more excitement and friendship.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Why Do We Climb Mountains?
Why do we climb mountains?
What pushes us, as human beings, to do the things we do? Why do we take on challenges that require us to exert extra effort? Do we get enjoyment out of it? Fulfillment? Energy? Passion? Exploration? What is it that drives us to pick a challenge-a mountain-and do whatever it takes to conquer it?
To illustrate this a bit, I am going to draw from a personal experience: Today, while vacationing in New England, my family and I decided to scale Mount Monadnock (man-nad-nock). This particular mountain is the third most frequently climbed mountain on the planet. This was not a particularly difficult trail to hike, so why did we do it?
I believe that a big part of our decision was to go exploring; to see a part of the country, that we had never seen, in the most unique way possible. But I also believe that we made the decision because it was an opportunity for us to spend more time together, helping each other up and down the mountain. We chose to climb Monadnock in order to gain a sense of fulfillment; in order to challenge ourselves; push our limits.
Why did the families with young children choose to scale this peak? Why did the 70+ year old woman choose to climb to the top? The two guys running up the mountain, why did they chose this path? I would venture to guess that each person we saw on the trail today had a slightly different reason as to why they were there. The one person that I can't stop thinking about though is the 70 year-old woman. Was this a journey to fulfill some long-held goal? Is this the way she gets her exercise? Did she make a promise to someone that she would finish this?I don't know that I will ever know, but I respect her immensely for the climb that she made today.
So challenges and mountains. What pushes us to conquer them? I think each individual has their own reasons for pushing their limits. I challenge myself in order to expand my horizons, learn new things, meet new people, and enjoy my life. Without challenges my life is boring. What else is there to push for? Where else can I go? I have a need to push forward as often as possible in order to learn as much as I can with the short time that I have here on Earth.
I would venture a guess that each person that challenges him/herself has a similar reasoning process. Although we don't typically think about why we challenge ourselves (I didn't until today), human kind is naturally pushing forward; naturally challenging ourselves. And with these challenges come reward and fulfillment, or disappointment and failure. Most of the time there is no in between. So why risk it? Why risk failing if we can keep pushing on and living our lives as they are? For most, life is too boring to do the same thing over and over. The reward is worth the risk because of the experience and knowledge that comes from a challenge; whether we overcome it or not.
After reaching the summit of Mount Monadnock this afternoon we realized that the rain was soon to hit. So my three younger brothers and I took off down the trail. How far could we get before the rain hit? That was the new challenge. We caught up to my parents (who chose not to climb all the way to the top), but that wasn't far enough. Just after catching up to them, the rain caught up to us. We failed to make it down the mountain before it rained; we failed to conquer our challenge. But we are better for it. We helped my mother down the slippery rocks and guided each other down the trail through the pouring rain. We pushed our limits and became better people because of it. How could we ask for more out of this trip? We reached the top of the mountain and found ourselves in the process.
I asked my brothers a question at the peak of the mountain: Is it the journey or the end result that matters most? You hear sayings that push each side of the envelope, but which one is correct?
In the end, it is up to an individual to answer that question. What means more, the journey or the ending point? Is it the climb and the effort put into it or reaching the summit that matters most? That is something that you will have to answer for yourself.
Oh, and the 70+ year-old woman? We passed her right at the base of the trail. She survived the rainstorm and made it back down the mountain. All on her own. I can only hope that 50 years from now I am able to scale mountains and challenges and continue to push my life forward.
What pushes us, as human beings, to do the things we do? Why do we take on challenges that require us to exert extra effort? Do we get enjoyment out of it? Fulfillment? Energy? Passion? Exploration? What is it that drives us to pick a challenge-a mountain-and do whatever it takes to conquer it?
To illustrate this a bit, I am going to draw from a personal experience: Today, while vacationing in New England, my family and I decided to scale Mount Monadnock (man-nad-nock). This particular mountain is the third most frequently climbed mountain on the planet. This was not a particularly difficult trail to hike, so why did we do it?
I believe that a big part of our decision was to go exploring; to see a part of the country, that we had never seen, in the most unique way possible. But I also believe that we made the decision because it was an opportunity for us to spend more time together, helping each other up and down the mountain. We chose to climb Monadnock in order to gain a sense of fulfillment; in order to challenge ourselves; push our limits.
Why did the families with young children choose to scale this peak? Why did the 70+ year old woman choose to climb to the top? The two guys running up the mountain, why did they chose this path? I would venture to guess that each person we saw on the trail today had a slightly different reason as to why they were there. The one person that I can't stop thinking about though is the 70 year-old woman. Was this a journey to fulfill some long-held goal? Is this the way she gets her exercise? Did she make a promise to someone that she would finish this?I don't know that I will ever know, but I respect her immensely for the climb that she made today.
So challenges and mountains. What pushes us to conquer them? I think each individual has their own reasons for pushing their limits. I challenge myself in order to expand my horizons, learn new things, meet new people, and enjoy my life. Without challenges my life is boring. What else is there to push for? Where else can I go? I have a need to push forward as often as possible in order to learn as much as I can with the short time that I have here on Earth.
I would venture a guess that each person that challenges him/herself has a similar reasoning process. Although we don't typically think about why we challenge ourselves (I didn't until today), human kind is naturally pushing forward; naturally challenging ourselves. And with these challenges come reward and fulfillment, or disappointment and failure. Most of the time there is no in between. So why risk it? Why risk failing if we can keep pushing on and living our lives as they are? For most, life is too boring to do the same thing over and over. The reward is worth the risk because of the experience and knowledge that comes from a challenge; whether we overcome it or not.
After reaching the summit of Mount Monadnock this afternoon we realized that the rain was soon to hit. So my three younger brothers and I took off down the trail. How far could we get before the rain hit? That was the new challenge. We caught up to my parents (who chose not to climb all the way to the top), but that wasn't far enough. Just after catching up to them, the rain caught up to us. We failed to make it down the mountain before it rained; we failed to conquer our challenge. But we are better for it. We helped my mother down the slippery rocks and guided each other down the trail through the pouring rain. We pushed our limits and became better people because of it. How could we ask for more out of this trip? We reached the top of the mountain and found ourselves in the process.
I asked my brothers a question at the peak of the mountain: Is it the journey or the end result that matters most? You hear sayings that push each side of the envelope, but which one is correct?
In the end, it is up to an individual to answer that question. What means more, the journey or the ending point? Is it the climb and the effort put into it or reaching the summit that matters most? That is something that you will have to answer for yourself.
Oh, and the 70+ year-old woman? We passed her right at the base of the trail. She survived the rainstorm and made it back down the mountain. All on her own. I can only hope that 50 years from now I am able to scale mountains and challenges and continue to push my life forward.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Most Recent Penn State Ruling
When is enough enough?
Today, news broke that the Middle States Commission on Higher Education has warned Penn State that it's academic accreditation is in danger. Before anyone gets all riled up, I do agree that what Jerry Sandusky and some other administrators and coaches did was wrong. The truth should have come out long, long ago.
The part that I have a problem with is all of the sanctions that have come down since. Should there have been some sort of penalty? Yes. But not against the players. There were certain individuals that should have been punished. $60 million and a bunch of scholarships? All that does is hurt the student-athletes; many of whom will never have the chance to play the sport the love at such a competitive level again.
It is my personal opinion that the sanctions against the team were entirely too harsh. Why hurt the players that had nothing to do with the heinous crimes that were committed years ago? Punish the defendant (which happened) not the innocent players.
But that is not really my point here. The sanctions that were handed down before have been generally accepted; nothing will change those now. But to say that the university's academic accreditation is in jeopardy because this scandal is absolutely ridiculous. Why should the university shoulder the burden of one man's crimes?
The university's research labs had nothing to do with this. Nor did the law school. Or the engineering department. Or the college of business. Not a single academic part of the university can be held responsible for the crimes that were committed at Penn State. Not one.
Yet, the Middle States Commission is putting Penn State's academic accreditation right in the thick of things. Almost 45,000 students on Penn State's University Park campus have put time, money, and energy into a degree program that is in danger of losing its accreditation. Although through no fault of the academic side of the university. Does this make sense?
It seems to me that the Middles States Commission is just adding to the pain, suffering, and rebuilding of the Penn State family. How can they reasonably back up their decision here? At this point, they are punishing the academic side of the institution for something that a few individuals are responsible for. You could liken this to the the family of a convicted murderer being punished by the court for spending time with the felon prior to any crime being committed.
Maybe I'm over-reacting, maybe not. But in my eyes this decision makes no sense. Let the university focus on the things that it needs to right now. And believe me, the university doesn't need to focus on it's academic accreditation. They should be worried about the victims of the crimes and their future; not some nit-picky ruling that is doing nothing but adding to the stresses of every single member of the Penn State family.
Today, news broke that the Middle States Commission on Higher Education has warned Penn State that it's academic accreditation is in danger. Before anyone gets all riled up, I do agree that what Jerry Sandusky and some other administrators and coaches did was wrong. The truth should have come out long, long ago.
The part that I have a problem with is all of the sanctions that have come down since. Should there have been some sort of penalty? Yes. But not against the players. There were certain individuals that should have been punished. $60 million and a bunch of scholarships? All that does is hurt the student-athletes; many of whom will never have the chance to play the sport the love at such a competitive level again.
It is my personal opinion that the sanctions against the team were entirely too harsh. Why hurt the players that had nothing to do with the heinous crimes that were committed years ago? Punish the defendant (which happened) not the innocent players.
But that is not really my point here. The sanctions that were handed down before have been generally accepted; nothing will change those now. But to say that the university's academic accreditation is in jeopardy because this scandal is absolutely ridiculous. Why should the university shoulder the burden of one man's crimes?
The university's research labs had nothing to do with this. Nor did the law school. Or the engineering department. Or the college of business. Not a single academic part of the university can be held responsible for the crimes that were committed at Penn State. Not one.
Yet, the Middle States Commission is putting Penn State's academic accreditation right in the thick of things. Almost 45,000 students on Penn State's University Park campus have put time, money, and energy into a degree program that is in danger of losing its accreditation. Although through no fault of the academic side of the university. Does this make sense?
It seems to me that the Middles States Commission is just adding to the pain, suffering, and rebuilding of the Penn State family. How can they reasonably back up their decision here? At this point, they are punishing the academic side of the institution for something that a few individuals are responsible for. You could liken this to the the family of a convicted murderer being punished by the court for spending time with the felon prior to any crime being committed.
Maybe I'm over-reacting, maybe not. But in my eyes this decision makes no sense. Let the university focus on the things that it needs to right now. And believe me, the university doesn't need to focus on it's academic accreditation. They should be worried about the victims of the crimes and their future; not some nit-picky ruling that is doing nothing but adding to the stresses of every single member of the Penn State family.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Boy Scouts Controversial Ruling
As many of you know the Boy Scouts of America just recently reaffirmed their long-time rule that they will "not grant membership to open or avowed homosexuals."
Just tonight I saw an article on cnn.com that detailed a group of Eagle Scouts that had chosen to return their medals and disaffiliate from the national organization. For those of you that don't know, the rank of Eagle Scout is the highest rank to which a Boy Scout has to aspire. It is the pinnacle of the Boy Scout hirearchy; the rank which every parent hopes their son will achieve. In order to reach the rank of Eagle one must earn at least 21 merit badges, assume multiple leadership roles within his troop, and plan and lead a service project in his community. Many men that earn the rank of Eagle reap the benefits later in life; when looking for a job or finding connections within the community. To think that more than 100 men (and counting) across the country have returned their medals is stunning.
I, myself, am an Eagle Scout. I take tremendous pride in the work that I put into the process and the experiences that I gained because of the Boy Scouts of America. Earning that award was the toughest thing that I did in high school. It forced me to learn how to be 100% organized, how to manage my time, how to lead and manage others, how to plan a large scale event. The list goes on and on. When I hear that these men are giving up all of that to stand up for what they believe in my heart swells.
Before each and every meeting we recite the Boy Scout Law:
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
The national organizations most recent ruling is hypocritical against almost all of the above 12 pillars.
A Scout is loyal: A Scout should be loyal to all of his peers, regardless of sexual orientation. If am I loyal to my friends I am right there by their side through thick and thin. I don't care if they are gay. They are my friend and I will be loyal to them. In this case, being loyal means sticking up for their beliefs and rights.
A Scout is helpful: A Scout should be helpful to his peers by recruiting them to join the ranks of Boy Scouts and teaching them skills that will help them with the rest of their lives; regardless of sexual orientation.
A Scout is friendly: A Scout should be friendly to everyone around him; regardless of sexual orientation.
A Scout is courteous: "A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows that using good manners makes it easier for people to get along." on. That excerpt is directly from the Boy Scout handbook. If a Scout is truly courteous his is willing to accept other Scouts into his ranks; regardless of sexual orientation.
A Scout is brave: "A Scout can face danger although he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at him or threaten him." If a scout is brave he is willing to stand up to his national organization in order to stand up for what he believes in and defend the beliefs of his peers; regardless of sexual orientation.
A Scout is reverent: "A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others." If a Scout is truly reverent then he respects the beliefs of others; regardless of orientation.
When I recite the Boy Scout oath at the beginning of each meeting I pledge "To help other people at all times.." Pushing people away from my organization is not what I consider helping them.
Unlike the Eagle Scouts in the cnn.com article, I will not be returning my Eagle Scout medal and disaffiliating from the national organization. I fully respect what they are doing, but I feel there is more to be done.
The path down scouting was a fulfilling one. I learned so many life skills that will be instrumental in my future success. I believe that every young man should have access to the same program that I did. Yes, Boy Scouts of America has the ability to to choose whom they wish to add to their membership; I am not disputing that. What I do dispute, though, is the genuineness of the organization in its current state. How can you promote yourself as an organization that takes pride in an oath and a law when you can't live those to the fullest extent?
This world is changing and BSA is refusing to acknowledge that. But rather than turn my medal in and renounce any affiliation with the organization, I will continue to stand by and be an active promoter of Boy Scouts. I will encourage any young man, gay or straight, to participate and get whatever they can out of it. I will push for changes on the national level.
But most of all, I will live the Oath and Law in my everyday life. I won't pretend to live them the way that the national organization does; rather, I will accept everyone and help everyone. I won't discriminate based on sexual orientation. I have two friends (that I know of) that are both an Eagle Scout and gay. They are both great people because they went through the Boy Scout program. Would they be able to do that now? No. And that's not right.
So I will, in the national organizations words, continue "To help other people at all times."
Just tonight I saw an article on cnn.com that detailed a group of Eagle Scouts that had chosen to return their medals and disaffiliate from the national organization. For those of you that don't know, the rank of Eagle Scout is the highest rank to which a Boy Scout has to aspire. It is the pinnacle of the Boy Scout hirearchy; the rank which every parent hopes their son will achieve. In order to reach the rank of Eagle one must earn at least 21 merit badges, assume multiple leadership roles within his troop, and plan and lead a service project in his community. Many men that earn the rank of Eagle reap the benefits later in life; when looking for a job or finding connections within the community. To think that more than 100 men (and counting) across the country have returned their medals is stunning.
I, myself, am an Eagle Scout. I take tremendous pride in the work that I put into the process and the experiences that I gained because of the Boy Scouts of America. Earning that award was the toughest thing that I did in high school. It forced me to learn how to be 100% organized, how to manage my time, how to lead and manage others, how to plan a large scale event. The list goes on and on. When I hear that these men are giving up all of that to stand up for what they believe in my heart swells.
Before each and every meeting we recite the Boy Scout Law:
A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.
The national organizations most recent ruling is hypocritical against almost all of the above 12 pillars.
A Scout is loyal: A Scout should be loyal to all of his peers, regardless of sexual orientation. If am I loyal to my friends I am right there by their side through thick and thin. I don't care if they are gay. They are my friend and I will be loyal to them. In this case, being loyal means sticking up for their beliefs and rights.
A Scout is helpful: A Scout should be helpful to his peers by recruiting them to join the ranks of Boy Scouts and teaching them skills that will help them with the rest of their lives; regardless of sexual orientation.
A Scout is friendly: A Scout should be friendly to everyone around him; regardless of sexual orientation.
A Scout is courteous: "A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows that using good manners makes it easier for people to get along." on. That excerpt is directly from the Boy Scout handbook. If a Scout is truly courteous his is willing to accept other Scouts into his ranks; regardless of sexual orientation.
A Scout is brave: "A Scout can face danger although he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at him or threaten him." If a scout is brave he is willing to stand up to his national organization in order to stand up for what he believes in and defend the beliefs of his peers; regardless of sexual orientation.
A Scout is reverent: "A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others." If a Scout is truly reverent then he respects the beliefs of others; regardless of orientation.
When I recite the Boy Scout oath at the beginning of each meeting I pledge "To help other people at all times.." Pushing people away from my organization is not what I consider helping them.
Unlike the Eagle Scouts in the cnn.com article, I will not be returning my Eagle Scout medal and disaffiliating from the national organization. I fully respect what they are doing, but I feel there is more to be done.
The path down scouting was a fulfilling one. I learned so many life skills that will be instrumental in my future success. I believe that every young man should have access to the same program that I did. Yes, Boy Scouts of America has the ability to to choose whom they wish to add to their membership; I am not disputing that. What I do dispute, though, is the genuineness of the organization in its current state. How can you promote yourself as an organization that takes pride in an oath and a law when you can't live those to the fullest extent?
This world is changing and BSA is refusing to acknowledge that. But rather than turn my medal in and renounce any affiliation with the organization, I will continue to stand by and be an active promoter of Boy Scouts. I will encourage any young man, gay or straight, to participate and get whatever they can out of it. I will push for changes on the national level.
But most of all, I will live the Oath and Law in my everyday life. I won't pretend to live them the way that the national organization does; rather, I will accept everyone and help everyone. I won't discriminate based on sexual orientation. I have two friends (that I know of) that are both an Eagle Scout and gay. They are both great people because they went through the Boy Scout program. Would they be able to do that now? No. And that's not right.
So I will, in the national organizations words, continue "To help other people at all times."
Regular Blogging
In an effort to change my life for the better I have committed myself to changing a few of my lifestyles. For instance, I have committed to working out five days a week while running an additional three days. I have made a conscious effort to wear my retainers every night (you're welcome mom!). I have begun to read more leadership books in order to make myself a better leader and friend to all of those around me. I have started to explore different career paths in an effort to determine what I want to do when I graduate in two years.
The thing that I struggle with the most is determining what to do with all of my thoughts. From time to time I will read something that lights a fire in my mind and I begin arguing with myself. Instead of arguing with myself I am going to start putting my opinions out there and letting others react to them. This will help me clear my head while also increasing my ability to clearly express my thoughts to the world around me.
Thanks for listening.
The thing that I struggle with the most is determining what to do with all of my thoughts. From time to time I will read something that lights a fire in my mind and I begin arguing with myself. Instead of arguing with myself I am going to start putting my opinions out there and letting others react to them. This will help me clear my head while also increasing my ability to clearly express my thoughts to the world around me.
Thanks for listening.
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