Faith, Life, and Lessons

Lesson 10- You see what you look for. Like most people, I've been pretty down about global events these past few days. It seems like there's been a social explosion of hate, prejudice, and trauma. This post is not to share opinions about any specific events (Facebook seems to have that role on lock), but I do want to share a few thoughts based off a talk I gave this past summer at camp. It's about shifting our  perspective  and recognizing the divinity of others.  It seems that too often humans view each other as objects, problems, or stereotypes. We treat others as disposable, we discredit any view that isn't our own, and we alienate anyone who seems too different or vulnerable. From what I can tell, people rarely think of each other as masterpieces and priceless works of art. But that's exactly what we are. As Genesis 1:27 puts it,  "So God created human beings in his own image, in the image of God he created them." Everyone person...

Lesson 8- I have only found one source of permanency, and it ain't humans Lesson 9- Sometimes God will call-you-out through the Bible. Like dang, that was pointed. Fair warning: this is kind of a downer of a topic at first, but I promise it gets uplifting if you shift your perspective. For a few days last week, I felt slightly discouraged. Not downright upset or anything, just less rooted than usual. Fragile, even. After further analysis (I've gotten really into meditation these days- hippie, I know) I realized that the majority of my unbalance stemmed from realizing how much my friendships have changed since last year. More than that, it was the acknowledgement that relationships are fluid and transitional that began to really unsettle me. I couldn't shake the inescapable truth that as much as I love my friends and know that they love me, human connection is inherently impermanent. It's a dark thought, but very few connections last your entire life. Friendships shi...

Lesson 7- Contentment comes in seeking Truth and using our gifts to serve others “Why do you want to volunteer?” With a welcoming smile and inquisitive eyes, the interviewer awaited my response. I knew what she was asking. I’m a young college student with the most opportunities I will ever have. I have the youth and flexibility to do almost anything that interests me. So why this?  Why do I want to voluntarily put myself in the midst of the harrowing trauma of others? Why am I so often drawn to the seemingly dark places when I could just as easily spare myself? Why do I want to work here, at the Sexual Assault Center of Nashville. And even more pertinently- do I have what it takes? Second-hand trauma is a very real phenomenon, and becoming a Crisis Line volunteer at the SAC puts me in direct contact with victimization. The work isn’t for everyone; can I handle the pain and stress in a healthy manner? “Well…” I start out slowly before launching into my explanation of my ...

Lesson 4- Sometimes I overvalue courage (I am not invincible) Lesson 5- It’s not as awkward as you would think to have someone else X-ray your butt Lesson 6- Escaped prisoners make for a great distraction from recovery Listening to the water rapids crash in twisting white ribbons 45 feet below, I cleared my mind. My friends and I had already decided, against the local warnings, that we would be fine jumping from Baker’s Bridge that warm summer evening. Although usually as serene and picturesque as a Colorado post-card, the water below the bridge gnarled because of the high water levels. However, after looking at it for a few minutes, we figured it’d be fine. Beyond a unanimous thirst for adrenaline (a general characteristic of a camp counselor), it was my friend’s birthday, which almost always calls for an eventful night-off from camp. After a few of my friends had successfully jumped off the bridge and swam (more like been swept) to the rocks on the side, it was my turn. No...

Lesson 4- It’s not about me This past summer, I spent nearly 3 months up in Durango, Colorado working at a utopian-esque community called Camp Kivu. Owned by the same company that had sent me on the Gap Year before college, Kivu was a summer camp that had become a place of refuge, honesty, and love to thousands of kids and staff members alike over the years. As this was the last summer of Camp Kivu (they will be focusing on the Gap Year from now on), I’m so glad I was there to learn TONS of valuable life lessons before they officially closed. One of the most memorable and tangible lessons was about humility and service. While I am pretty invested in “service” back at Vanderbilt, I had spent much of last semester pondering what humility actually meant. I don’t want to be someone who, like the Pharisees, serves to impress others. I want my life to be about more than myself and my own contentment. As a result, I had read books about humility (okay, a single book), prayed about it, and...

Lesson 2- The Little Mermaid is alive and well, and she lives in Nashville. Lesson 3- Identity is way beyond skin deep If you’re at all connected to me on social media, you’ve probably seen that I recently dyed my hair from its usual bleach blonde ways to a dramatic auburn red. Admittedly, one of my favorite pastimes is creating shock-factor, but that was only one of a few motivations for this particular decision. I’ve heard it said that girls who change their hair too often have self-confidence issues. 1) I don't believe that & 2) I think I may be the opposite and just not have enough self-confidence issues. (My poor roommate knows this all too well as I would often walk around the room “less than dressed” shall we say…) So while I had been planning to go red eventually this year just for fun, it wasn’t until I found out that my brother’s upcoming military training at the Corps of Cadets is called “Red Phase” that I felt like it was the perfect timing. Praise the Lord that...

Lesson 1- Blogging is fun, and it's worthwhile to remember your own lessons. Oh wow. A whole year has gone by without me touching this little archive of all my gap year adventures. I think it's about time I shake off the dust, crank the engine, and get this blog rolling again! I'm not really sure why I decided now is the time to begin blogging again. It just feels right. Honestly, while reflecting on this past year (my first year of college at Vanderbilt!) I couldn't keep track of all the lessons I had learned because of how many there are (lots of room for growth, ammirite??) And that's when I realized that it could be fun to share some of these learning opportunities in the hopes that it could benefit someone else. Who knows? Maybe we're going through the same things and don't even know it! And besides that, I occasionally do really crazy and dumb things, and it could potentially be entertaining for you to read. I don't mind laughing at my own expens...