As I was procrastinating this week, I came across another blog that made me think “wow, this is me.” My friends and I are in the thick of grad school right now, and the draining hoops we are jumping through makes our brains play some not-so-funny tricks on us. All that to say this: even though it is hard, and there are many tears, it does not mean we are not aware of the idea that other people did not get in or that we are not grateful for the huge opportunity. It merely means that we are allowed to feel all of the emotions and should not be guilted into thinking what we are feeling is wrong because we made it. I seriously debated whether or not I would write yet another sap story about grad school, and especially drawing inspiration from this specific quote. But, after reading the other blog, at the bottom of her page (linked here) was this quote by Mr. Rogers, and I knew then, the need to get this off my chest was validated. Growing up, I never cried. It was not because I was told not to cry; I just did not. Through my years of schooling, that is when my happiness, sadness, and sometimes anger morphed into an expression of tears. I have no clue why that has become my outlet, but it sure makes me feel better after getting it all out there. Grad school emotions run high, and the intenseness of everything around me often made my little outbursts worse. Looking back at times I cried in undergrad and before seem insignificant now. And hopefully, down the road, I will look back at this time and wonder why and how I cried this much. I knew this chapter in my life would be hard, and I thought the challenge would be good for me. Parts of it made me stronger, while others felt like they were breaking me. No matter the life lessons that have come and will come from this grad school experience, nothing could have prepared me for the whirlwind emotions from one extreme to the next. No one quite gets the struggle until you are in neck deep together. Lucky for us, my track in the program is a pretty tight group of people. We have our friend groups, and we certainly understand the stresses, fears, and celebrate the successes even harder. When you are comfortable enough to cry in front of people who were once strangers not even a year ago, you know you have reached a strong level of friendship and formed a bond that could have held the Titanic together. We are in this together until the end, and probably beyond into our careers. No one said it would be easy. And to think tears are a sign of weakness, I have to disagree. There is only so much I can bottle up and pretend like nothing is bothering me until I have to get it all out. I will say, the last two months have been tear-free, but exams are not quite over yet, so I reserve the right to revoke that statement. Regardless of the chapter we find ourselves in, unless someone has walked the same miles in our shoes, no one can invalidate the thoughts and feelings. I realize most of them were irrational now, but that was the exhaustion talking and the mountain of work waiting to be completed was pulling me down in a rabbit hole of doubt. So, go ahead. Cry it out. Stay Curious, Kayla ©Inquisitive Perspectives 2019
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I have a hard time accepting the traditional definition of success that the world abides by. There is so much more that goes into being successful than having a high-ranking position in society. For me, success has everything to do with happiness. Our success cannot be determined by a numerical value, even though that is a common idea when figuring if we are successful or not. Our school system has made us believe that high scores matter more than doing our best. Our universities engrain in us that the higher up we go with getting degrees, the better off we are if we think we want to get ahead in life. Our workforce places a demand that the more time spent at the office, the better off we will be in the long run. Success, to me, means contributing to the world, making a lasting impact, and being happy while doing the things are able to do for and with others, no matter the size. While getting good grades, collecting degrees, and having a few late nights at the office are not bad things, there comes a point where those things need to be removed from the equation and a personal reflection is all that should be factored into success. Because for a person who does have any combination of those things, it does not mean they are any less successful in their own right as the next. We are unique individuals, and so are our successes. So many times, I have wondered what success will look like for me. As I am nearing the threshold of adulthood and the working world, I am realizing that success has already found me because I am happy. If I did not find myself happy at this stage of life quite yet, I still would not consider it a loss. Success peaks at different times, and it takes on different faces. Success is not as rigid as I think we are made to believe it is. So, no matter where you find yourself in this life, look for happiness, and success will be sure to follow. Stay Curious, Kayla ©Inquisitive Perspectives 2019 Listening is one of the most important skills we can acquire. There are so many times we may hear the words coming out of someone’s mouth, but do we really listen to what the words they are saying mean? It is interesting that we learn how to talk, but some never learn how to listen. Stress can bring out the worst in us, or me at least. I can shut out the world, hunker down into the zone, and not return to civilization until assignments get done. While these are not my best ways of dealing with stress, I realize that we all deal with stress differently, but even so, we still must be present for those who need us most regardless of what kind of crazy is happening in our own life. I like to be the person other people feel comfortable coming to when they need someone to listen to. Everyone in this world needs and deserves to have that person. As I have said before and will forever stand by, everyone has a story that is worth listening to, and each time I hear a new piece of someone’s story, I feel like I get to know them that much more. When people feel comfortable telling their story to you, it may not necessarily be for advice or to get input on a matter. I know how good it feels just to dump out every emotion and the thoughts that are spinning in my head, and to have that release is cathartic in so many ways. It makes a difference having a person who is a deep, genuine listener. We may think we are great listeners, and that may be so, but there will always come opportunities in life to learn how to be a better listener. Stay Curious, Kayla ©Inquisitive Perspectives 2019 It may be the profession that I am going into that makes me hyperaware to recognize the unsung heroes in the world. There are so many people in this world who go unnoticed because they are reacting and responding to a need not because they want the recognition, but because it is in their innermost being to do something for the sake of humanity without publicity. Not every hero wears a uniform or cape. We may not always love the current societal or political climate, but at the end of the day, this is our world and our home. There have been many times that our downfall has stemmed from the bystander effect. How many times have we been somewhere, seen something that we could have helped with, but then thought that someone else saw it too and will help? We have all been there. Thoughts run through our heads that we should not get involved or it is not our place or that someone else will do it better than we could. Every day there is a chance to be a hero. Some have jobs that put them in situations that make it easier to contribute some help and happiness to people, while others have to put a little more effort into it, but no matter the circumstance, be a helper. Helpers are the people who take extra care when working with a child who may rely on compassionate attention at school. Helpers are the people who see their community as a place to welcome those who need a safe place to call home. Helpers are people who look beyond the flaws of the world and try to make it a better place for us all to live. Helpers are people who are problem solvers and can bring valuable resources to build solutions. Helpers are heroes. Stay curious, Kayla ©Inquisitive Perspectives 2019 We begin learning the minute we enter this world. Learning looks different each day, but regardless of how it happens, it is the most valuable thing humans can do. That exploration of our world through the discovery of new things and figuring out how something works are foundational skills that will carry us through our entire lives. I guess I never appreciated how important of a role playing has for children of all ages. That is their first exposure to problem-solving skills and growing their imagination. Without play, later developmental milestones can be negatively impacted. Incorporating play can enhance learning for children. In my speech therapy sessions this semester, I have done more play-based learning than I have in the past. The benefits of play implementation are evident in the growth and understanding of the target concepts. When you really stop and think about it, it makes sense. Children learn to play from the time they are able to engage in play settings. Once they learn to play, they can play to learn. This mirrors the shift later on in development when children learn to read, and it morphs into reading to learn. Playing is an essential component of a child’s life, and it gives them the first taste of curiosity. Stay Curious, Kayla ©Inquisitive Perspectives 2019 |
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