Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Diversity
So I thought the beginnings on diversity was ok. Usually when I sit through a lecture on that topic I feel uncomfortable. This is not because I am racist in any way. I feel that there is always "white guilt" brought into them. I always find myself feeling like I should be not be proud to be who I am... which is always classified as WHITE or CAUCASIAN. I don't like that classification. There is a lot more to me than that. I am Italian, Russian, Norwegian, Swedish, and Czech. Is it wrong for me to get a little offended when I feel like there is usually a part during diversity speeches where I feel like they are telling me because I am white I must be rich, powerful, and racist? I don't identify with any of these things. Why does it feel like they are always telling people that are white to be sorry all the time? I don't know if this is making any sense or is coming off as racist, which is the exact opposite of the point I am trying to make. Oh well... it's just me thinking out loud...
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
World Vision Week
To be honest I didn't really go to all that was offered for world vision week. I saw part of the culture dances on Friday night. Since I like to dance and have learned some of the dances that were presented I appreciated it. I also went to the missions meeting. I think I am going to be doing one of the trips this summer. I'm not to sure but I'll see where God wants me to go. As for the guy who spoke at beginnings, I thoroughly enjoyed him. I felt that he had a great way of engaging the audience. It would have been nice if he would have elaborated on the different ways to support missionaries. There was a lot of talk about how it is important to go, but not so much about the fact that all of us are not called to go. Unfortunately I had these two girls behind me at the end of his talk. They wouldn't stop talking... and about stupid irrelevant stuff... shopping, guys, clothes... *barf*
Monday, October 29, 2007
Holocaust Survivor
I am so glad that I attended beginnings last Tuesday. We were privileged enough to have a holocaust survivor come speak to us. It was truly a once in a life time experience considering that in about 10 years from now there will probably be no more left. Even though I was rightfully engaged in what she had to say, apparently she turned some people off. I don't get it. Some people complained that she was too grouchy, held grudges, and was mad at all Germans. Grouchy? ...well I guess I can see that, but to judge her by her story that she had to share??? come on. It frustrates me that people are so close minded. She went through a lot. Would YOU be able to easily forgive the soldiers that burned your sister alive? I don't think so. Yeah she says that she hasn't forgiven them, but that is just her story. I also don't know where people got the thought that she hates all Germans. She even made a point to make that clear, that she doesn't have a problem with Germans, it was just that she couldn't forgive the soldiers that burned her sister alive. She wasn't pressing to "not forgive" on anyone. Ugh! I don't even know why this frustrates me so much. Am I close minded saying that I don't understand how people could be so dumb about it? OH! and then people were saying that she was bashing Bush. All she said was that she didn't vote for him. Well... anyway... she had a lot to say. She was able to be very descriptive about what happened because of her firsthand encounter with it. It helped me appriciate what I have. Her story also made me think about the other end. These were just everyday people that were planning the deaths of millions. They had their own lives, and for them, the camps were just work. I can't even imagine...
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Body Image
Well I feel fortunate that I'm not dealing with the pornography or "women as objects" issues that were discussed in class. I don't really feel that is something that pertains to my life. Unfortunately body image is something else. It is not that I sit there in front of the mirror everyday and think about what I do or don't look like, but it is definitely a daily struggle. It's not something that I am quick to admit considering I would think of this problem as really girly... which anyone who knows me, knows that I'm not a fan of that and hate being affiliated with that... which I guess is weird? I don't know... anyway... I would say that I struggle with loving myself and that is something much deeper than image. By loving myself I don't exactly mean my appearance... for the most part I am talking about myself as a whole and what I have to offer God and whether I am good enough. When it comes to image though... I honestly could not tell you something that I was completely in love with about my body. I do know that it is dumb to sit there and think about it so I try my best to stop when I catch myself doing it... but again I think that mostly ties into loving myself. Because of this I have a really hard time taking a compliment. I'm not sure exactly how to over come it but as of now all I can do is pray about it giving it to God and repeat the words He told me "I see you as good." For the most part I can come off as "I don't care what I look like." I guess that's another thing that I'm dealing with... it's important for me to feel tougher than I really am... hmmm I honestly don't know why I'm typing this because right now I'm feeling vounerable and weak... and I hate that.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Addictions
Addictions are not an easy thing to admit. There is always such bad connotation wih them. For this reason I am wrestling with what actually are my addictions. I'm not dealing with what you first think of when the topic is brought up. This is a weird topic for me. It is usually very easy for me to pick out what are my "flaws" or what I am doing wrong but I'm not quite sure what my addictions are. (and I guess that means I am giving them the bad connotation) hmmm... I guess I can say that in a way I am addicted to appearing stronger than I am. (if that makes sense) I hate feeling vulnerable with or in front of people. Which is interesting because in saying this I feel I am being that way right now. I guess it is good to though... right? I mean you have to be honest with yourself before you can even attempt to "fix" it.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Goals
1. This year I want to grow closer to God. In one way inparticular I want to be able to be content in the silence and be thankful for it.
2. Another goal I have set for myself is to make good friends with a solid group of people. I want this group to be comfortable with each other and completely honest with me, even if I don't want to hear it.
3. As for my final goal for this year, I want to push myself to open up to others, as they do to me. I am a good listener and people will go to me when they need to talk, vent, or want advice. It is ironic that I have such a hard time opening up.
-Applying My Strengths-
The easiest goal for me to see how my strengths would apply is the second one. Being a developer, I am drawn to people. I love to help people reach their potentials and beyond. It excites me to see people succeed. Using connectedness; I am good at finding things I have in common with the most random people. This is a great way that I use to start relationships- simply by talking about things we have in common. Since I am also restorative, I love to bring things back to life. I am not afraid of being honest so that I can be more than just on the surface friends with people. Individualization is very important also. I observe people's strengths and I draw out the best in them. With my strong sense of belief I will be able to surround myself with others who have the same ideals. It is important for me to be able to have conversations with depth about my faith.
2. Another goal I have set for myself is to make good friends with a solid group of people. I want this group to be comfortable with each other and completely honest with me, even if I don't want to hear it.
3. As for my final goal for this year, I want to push myself to open up to others, as they do to me. I am a good listener and people will go to me when they need to talk, vent, or want advice. It is ironic that I have such a hard time opening up.
-Applying My Strengths-
The easiest goal for me to see how my strengths would apply is the second one. Being a developer, I am drawn to people. I love to help people reach their potentials and beyond. It excites me to see people succeed. Using connectedness; I am good at finding things I have in common with the most random people. This is a great way that I use to start relationships- simply by talking about things we have in common. Since I am also restorative, I love to bring things back to life. I am not afraid of being honest so that I can be more than just on the surface friends with people. Individualization is very important also. I observe people's strengths and I draw out the best in them. With my strong sense of belief I will be able to surround myself with others who have the same ideals. It is important for me to be able to have conversations with depth about my faith.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Strengths
1. Developer
"You see the potential in others. Very often, in fact, potential is all you see. In your view no individual is fully formed. On the contrary, each individual is a work in progress, alive with possibilities. And you are drawn toward people for this very reason. When you interact with others, your goal is to help them experience success. You look for ways to challenge them. You devise interesting experiences that can stretch them and help them grow. And all the while you are on the lookout for the signs of growth-a new behavior learned or modified, a slight improvement in a skill, a glimpse of excellence or of "flow" where previously there were only halting steps. For you these small increments-invisible to some-are clear signs of potential being realized. These signs of growth in others are your fuel. They bring you strength and satisfaction. Over time many will seek you out for help and encouragement because on some level they know that your helpfulness is both genuine and fulfilling to you."
-I think I am one who will look at the potential in others. I get excited all the time by what I see certain people are capable of. I am definitely drawn to these people and try to push them and encourage them to do their best. If you're one of my close friends I won't be afraid to tell you when something is not a good idea. I love watching people who feel that they have just become a part of the background, and telling them what amazing potential I have observed from them.
2. Connectedness
"Things happen for a reason. You are sure of it. You are sure of it because in your soul you know that we are all connected. Yes, we are individuals, responsible for our own judgments and in possession of our own free will, but nonetheless we are part of something larger. Some may call it the collective unconscious. Others may label it spirit or life force. But whatever your word of choice, you gain confidence from knowing that we are not isolated from one another or from the earth and the life on it. This feeling of Connectedness implies certain responsibilities. If we are all part of a larger picture, then we must not harm others because we will be harming ourselves. We must not exploit because we will be exploiting ourselves. Your awareness of these responsibilities creates your value system. You are considerate, caring, and accepting. Certain of the unity of humankind, you are a bridge builder for people of different cultures. Sensitive to the invisible hand, you can give others comfort that there is a purpose beyond our humdrum lives. The exact articles of your faith will depend on your upbringing and your culture, but your faith is strong. It sustains you and your close friends in the face of life's mysteries."
-Everything happens for a reason!!! I think that every situation has a lesson providing the possiblity/option of growth, whether or not people believe it. I believe that God teaches us through others and through them we can have confirmation of what we should be learning.
3. Restorative
"You love to solve problems. Whereas some are dismayed when they encounter yet another breakdown, you can be energized by it. You enjoy the challenge of analyzing the symptoms, identifying what is wrong, and finding the solution. You may prefer practical problems or conceptual ones or personal ones. You may seek out specific kinds of problems that you have met many times before and that you are confident you can fix. Or you may feel the greatest push when faced with complex and unfamiliar problems. Your exact preferences are determined by your other themes and experiences. But what is certain is that you enjoy bringing things back to life. It is a wonderful feeling to identify the undermining factor(s), eradicate them, and restore something to its true glory. Intuitively, you know that without your intervention, this thing-this machine, this technique, this person, this company-might have ceased to function. You fixed it, resuscitated it, rekindled its vitality. Phrasing it the way you might, you saved it."
-I hate when there's conflict. I try to the best of my ability to solve all problems and get very frustrated when I have no control over it. One thing that doesn't quite match up is the fact that I don't like confrontation. If someone is upset with me, I am quick to apologize.
4. Individualization
"Your Individualization theme leads you to be intrigued by the unique qualities of each person. You are impatient with generalizations or "types" because you don't want to obscure what is special and distinct about each person. Instead, you focus on the differences between individuals. You instinctively observe each person's style, each person's motivation, how each thinks, and how each builds relationships. You hear the one-of-a-kind stories in each person's life. This theme explains why you pick your friends just the right birthday gift, why you know that one person prefers praise in public and another detests it, and why you tailor your teaching style to accommodate one person's need to be shown and another's desire to "figure it out as I go." Because you are such a keen observer of other people's strengths, you can draw out the best in each person. This Individualization theme also helps you build productive teams. While some search around for the perfect team "structure" or "process," you know instinctively that the secret to great teams is casting by individual strengths so that everyone can do a lot of what they do well."
-I am very independent. Often this can get me into trouble when I am not quick to call friends and family to see how they are doing. I am also very observant of each person's unique style. One of my favorite past times is people watching.
5. Belief
"If you possess a strong Belief theme, you have certain core values that are enduring. These values vary from one person to another, but ordinarily your Belief theme causes you to be family-oriented, altruistic, even spiritual, and to value responsibility and high ethics-both in yourself and others. These core values affect your behavior in many ways. They give your life meaning and satisfaction; in your view, success is more than money and prestige. They provide you with direction, guiding you through the temptations and distractions of life toward a consistent set of priorities. This consistency is the foundation for all your relationships. Your friends call you dependable. "I know where you stand," they say. Your Belief makes you easy to trust. It also demands that you find work that meshes with your values. Your work must be meaningful; it must matter to you. And guided by your Belief theme it will matter only if it gives you a chance to live out your values."
-I definitely have a strong belief theme. Most everything I do and don't do, is centered around my beliefs and values. I love having conversations with people about their own beliefs and sharing mine with them. "I know where I stand."
"You see the potential in others. Very often, in fact, potential is all you see. In your view no individual is fully formed. On the contrary, each individual is a work in progress, alive with possibilities. And you are drawn toward people for this very reason. When you interact with others, your goal is to help them experience success. You look for ways to challenge them. You devise interesting experiences that can stretch them and help them grow. And all the while you are on the lookout for the signs of growth-a new behavior learned or modified, a slight improvement in a skill, a glimpse of excellence or of "flow" where previously there were only halting steps. For you these small increments-invisible to some-are clear signs of potential being realized. These signs of growth in others are your fuel. They bring you strength and satisfaction. Over time many will seek you out for help and encouragement because on some level they know that your helpfulness is both genuine and fulfilling to you."
-I think I am one who will look at the potential in others. I get excited all the time by what I see certain people are capable of. I am definitely drawn to these people and try to push them and encourage them to do their best. If you're one of my close friends I won't be afraid to tell you when something is not a good idea. I love watching people who feel that they have just become a part of the background, and telling them what amazing potential I have observed from them.
2. Connectedness
"Things happen for a reason. You are sure of it. You are sure of it because in your soul you know that we are all connected. Yes, we are individuals, responsible for our own judgments and in possession of our own free will, but nonetheless we are part of something larger. Some may call it the collective unconscious. Others may label it spirit or life force. But whatever your word of choice, you gain confidence from knowing that we are not isolated from one another or from the earth and the life on it. This feeling of Connectedness implies certain responsibilities. If we are all part of a larger picture, then we must not harm others because we will be harming ourselves. We must not exploit because we will be exploiting ourselves. Your awareness of these responsibilities creates your value system. You are considerate, caring, and accepting. Certain of the unity of humankind, you are a bridge builder for people of different cultures. Sensitive to the invisible hand, you can give others comfort that there is a purpose beyond our humdrum lives. The exact articles of your faith will depend on your upbringing and your culture, but your faith is strong. It sustains you and your close friends in the face of life's mysteries."
-Everything happens for a reason!!! I think that every situation has a lesson providing the possiblity/option of growth, whether or not people believe it. I believe that God teaches us through others and through them we can have confirmation of what we should be learning.
3. Restorative
"You love to solve problems. Whereas some are dismayed when they encounter yet another breakdown, you can be energized by it. You enjoy the challenge of analyzing the symptoms, identifying what is wrong, and finding the solution. You may prefer practical problems or conceptual ones or personal ones. You may seek out specific kinds of problems that you have met many times before and that you are confident you can fix. Or you may feel the greatest push when faced with complex and unfamiliar problems. Your exact preferences are determined by your other themes and experiences. But what is certain is that you enjoy bringing things back to life. It is a wonderful feeling to identify the undermining factor(s), eradicate them, and restore something to its true glory. Intuitively, you know that without your intervention, this thing-this machine, this technique, this person, this company-might have ceased to function. You fixed it, resuscitated it, rekindled its vitality. Phrasing it the way you might, you saved it."
-I hate when there's conflict. I try to the best of my ability to solve all problems and get very frustrated when I have no control over it. One thing that doesn't quite match up is the fact that I don't like confrontation. If someone is upset with me, I am quick to apologize.
4. Individualization
"Your Individualization theme leads you to be intrigued by the unique qualities of each person. You are impatient with generalizations or "types" because you don't want to obscure what is special and distinct about each person. Instead, you focus on the differences between individuals. You instinctively observe each person's style, each person's motivation, how each thinks, and how each builds relationships. You hear the one-of-a-kind stories in each person's life. This theme explains why you pick your friends just the right birthday gift, why you know that one person prefers praise in public and another detests it, and why you tailor your teaching style to accommodate one person's need to be shown and another's desire to "figure it out as I go." Because you are such a keen observer of other people's strengths, you can draw out the best in each person. This Individualization theme also helps you build productive teams. While some search around for the perfect team "structure" or "process," you know instinctively that the secret to great teams is casting by individual strengths so that everyone can do a lot of what they do well."
-I am very independent. Often this can get me into trouble when I am not quick to call friends and family to see how they are doing. I am also very observant of each person's unique style. One of my favorite past times is people watching.
5. Belief
"If you possess a strong Belief theme, you have certain core values that are enduring. These values vary from one person to another, but ordinarily your Belief theme causes you to be family-oriented, altruistic, even spiritual, and to value responsibility and high ethics-both in yourself and others. These core values affect your behavior in many ways. They give your life meaning and satisfaction; in your view, success is more than money and prestige. They provide you with direction, guiding you through the temptations and distractions of life toward a consistent set of priorities. This consistency is the foundation for all your relationships. Your friends call you dependable. "I know where you stand," they say. Your Belief makes you easy to trust. It also demands that you find work that meshes with your values. Your work must be meaningful; it must matter to you. And guided by your Belief theme it will matter only if it gives you a chance to live out your values."
-I definitely have a strong belief theme. Most everything I do and don't do, is centered around my beliefs and values. I love having conversations with people about their own beliefs and sharing mine with them. "I know where I stand."
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