My Own Self-Evident Truths

Some days I am insecure. Some days I am pushing on the side of arrogant. Most days I am at peace with myself. Regardless of my level of confidence, I find that I am in a constant state of self-analysis and this can be both positive and negative. My practice of inward reflection often times allows for greater self growth, but also occasionally makes me feel unworthy or as if I am not good enough. I have been working on accepting myself for the good and that which needs improvement. In effort to pursue this mentality of acceptance, I decided to make a list of my own self-evident truths and since I'm 21, 21 truths shall suffice:

1. Running is the best therapy.
2. The key to happiness and finding joy is being of service to others.
3. Grilled cheese and Mac and Cheese.
4. Kappa Kappa Gamma has changed my life for the better.
5. My siblings are the three most important people in my life and I don't tell them enough.
6. I'm a vegetarian, but I never liked meat anyway.
7. Never will I ever regret being an RA.
8. I am a self-proclaimed pacifist, but I have the utmost respect for servicemen and women.
9. 10 minutes of meditation can turn anyone's day around. 
10. I am so good at doing things for people I don't know, but so bad at doing things for my loved ones.
11. I am bad at letting people in so if we are close, that is pretty special.
12. I am severely independent. 
13. Coffee is my life-blood.
14. Surprising me with food or coffee will bring our relationship to a whole new level.
15. I don't like being touched unless I know that it is coming.
16. Open Your Eyes by Snowpatrol is and always will be one of my favorite songs.
17. Singing at the top of my lungs in the car with the windows down with my sister is one of my absolute favorite things to do. 
18. I feel deeply.
19. I have awful ears, but perfect eyes.
20. My grandma is easily the most influential person in my life.
21. I want to change the world.

Meditation and Mission Statements

This past year, I have been very fortunate to work in one of the best offices on Creighton's camps, the Creighton Center for Service and Justice. Those who lead the work and service completed in the office truly care about its employees and volunteers.

This care was exemplified in our winter retreat this past weekend. Though the retreat was short, I really enjoyed the numerous meditative experiences and the assistance in writing my own personal mission statement. When I was told I would have to write a mission statement, I became very anxious. I had never written one before and the examples that were read aloud to us were well-crafted.

Thankfully we were given some guidance and steps to follow and I think I came up with something that is not too shabby:

While my own personal mission statement will always be a work in progress, I think having one to start with is helpful. It is also great to reflect upon as my intention to start my day. Sometimes I tend to focus on the negative and knowing my own mission statement allows me to reframe my perspective.

Today and everyday I am thankful for the CCSJ for opportunities like this and for inspiring me to be my best self.

Also, shout out to Anna for being an awesome running partner and Trent for surprise pizza. You are both the best.

Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.

53

53. This is the number of women that Creighton's chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma was blessed to welcome into our sisterhood this past Saturday on bid day. While I am very excited to welcome these young women into my life, I spent the last week going through a roller coaster of emotions searching for these new members.

If you are in a sorority, you know that recruitment can be a brutal time period. Each day you cheer, dance, smile, and spend hours in a room (or a house if you have one) in order to do recruitment the way it is supposed to be done. I did not eat a real meal for a week straight and was unable to see my friends outside of Kappa. While I absolutely love the women in Kappa and while all of my best friends are in Kappa, I found myself being absolutely warn out after a week of together time. By Saturday, my emotions were all over the place leaving me deliriously happy one hour and crying the next. My inner introvert was screaming for attention that it had not been paid and I lost five pounds from cheering for several days in a row.

Though all of this is true, I do not regret going through recruitment this year one bit. I hope to leave a legacy behind in my sorority even if that simply means that I am remembered as being a welcoming person. I hope to make Kappa as wonderful for our new members as it has been for me these past three years. If that means cheering, dancing, and engaging in small talk for several hours over the course of a week, then I will do it because Kappa is worth it for me and so are the new members.

I am so happy to say we have 53 new members to welcome into our organization, but I am also happy to finally find a semblance of normalcy these next few weeks. I look forward to being able to see my guy friends and boyfriend on a more regular basis. I look forward to being able to enjoy a drink with friends on occasion. I look forward to staying in my room all day just because I feel like it, but most importantly, I look forward to getting to know the last new member class that I will have the pleasure of meeting this semester.

Going Greek

In a week, I will be in the midst of formal women's sorority recruitment at Creighton. This means I will be jumping up and down screaming my chapter's cheers, talking with countless PNMs (potential new members), and spending twelve to sixteen hours each day with my sisters. This is my last recruitment and as I see all of the Greek women at Creighton encouraging those who are not Greek to go through recruitment, I find myself reflection on my own Greek experience.

As a second-semester freshman, I knew nothing about Greek life. I had watched a few episodes of Greek on ABC family, but that was the extent of my knowledge. I found myself becoming insecure about whether or not I would remember each chapter's letters, philanthropies, colors, and mascots and was unsure of whether or not I was really a "sorority girl." That being said, I would not allow myself to quit and I found myself accepting a bid to Kappa Kappa Gamma at the end of the week.

Freshman year bid-day

Throughout the past four years, Kappa has been a formative, life giving, beautiful experience and I know that this is true for women in other chapters on campus. As a freshman, I made so many mistakes. Though I learned from them, I am not necessarily proud of them. Kappa picked me up in these contentious moments. Kappa has taught me how to be a strong leader and how to live a life of integrity. Kappa has given me a network of women who support me when I fall down, but who empower me to be the best version of myself.

The best little 

I am not sure where I would be without Kappa or without Greek life in general. All I know is that by going Greek, I found my lifelong friends, have found a home of love and compassion, and I have found out what it means to be a part of something much greater than myself.

Formal 2014 with my favorites

I am scared of what life as a Greek alum will look like and look forward to indulging in every last minute of my time as an active, but I look to these moments with great joy.

High school art teacher who is also a Kappa

I am so excited for those going through recruitment to find what I have found even if that means not joining an organization. Being Greek has made me a better person and I am proud to call myself a sorority girl.