September 10, 2012 • A POSITIVE PRESS PUBLICATION • VOL. 3, ISSUE 2
Consider Your Carport
written by third-year, Austin Blouin
My hands ran over the veined leaves of the old magnolia tree in the back yard. Its branches, over the years, had come to swoop and lean over the crook of our weathered carport, which was littered with now-antique gardening equipment. Oddly, I loved the carport. There, red bricks met old siding and wooden posts, and its concrete floor wasn’t level, causing water to pool up in the corner close to the house each time it rained. I’d sit there in a fold out chair to listen to it thunder during a storm.
Time would pass and the rain would dry up, leaving only pools of my memories. As I circled the tree, enjoying its familiar shades and smells, I realized that the carport has become a symbol of transience for me. Every trip home started and ended in that carport, and each time has served as a reminder of life’s constants and, more importantly, its perpetual changes. Over the years, the constants have seemed less and less. Certainties seem to erode away with age, to the point where you can find yourself struggling to hold onto your own identity – your core being. Yet, I found solace as I stood next to that tree. In all that change and uncertainty I’ve managed to ascribe my own meaning to things. |
Therein lies something special. If I remember my collegiate experience for anything, I will remember it for this: the inescapable search for my own purpose, for the pulsing, living, and deliberately unique reason for my own existence. To reference the oft-used Shakespearian quote – every moment we have is a chance to be or not to be. That really is the question.
Ultimately, I’m glad I’ve embraced these four years as a chance to truly be, because in those moments that I achieve this I feel I’m most in touch with my humanity. I feel that despite all the changes, I can still sit in that carport as the wetness of the rain tickles my toes and understand that I’m the same person who sat there feeling that rain ten years ago. So I urge you to consider your own being. To find your ‘carport’ and recognize life’s comings and goings so you can see what never leaves you. Think about who you are. Live as truly to that as you can. That’s what makes you human. |
Dare Not to Compare
written by second-year, Allie Windom
It’s a Tuesday night. 6:53 PM. I find myself in a classroom waiting for a meeting to begin. People are beginning to filter in; some faces I recognize, some I don’t. I pretend to check my phone as I eavesdrop on the conversations buzzing around me.
“I know! Our first week is done, and I think we’ve raised over two thousand dollars. My team did a great job. I couldn’t be more proud.” “I finished the plan for all of our events this year; now I just have to figure out which new projects this semester’s eight-thousand-dollar budget will go to…” “Oh yeah, the same thing happened to me when I stopped by President Adams’ office last week…” |
In the company of such driven, accomplished people, I catch myself examining my own achievements. Have I started an organization to help the underprivileged children of Athens? Did I travel overseas and work to raise awareness of human trafficking all summer? Am I a leader in a major philanthropic organization on campus?
Well, no. I haven’t partaken in any of those things. But should I let that be an excuse to have a pity party over my résumé? Should I let the grandeur of their accomplishments belittle my own? No! |
We all have different dreams. Just because you don’t get excited to plan fundraisers for cancer research, that doesn’t mean you can’t serve on an organization that feeds the homeless. And even though you might not start a coalition between religious groups on campus, that doesn’t mean you
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find fulfillment in tutoring an elementary school student. While you may not feel comfortable leading a group of people, that shouldn’t stop you from finding a way to contribute to a team that’s working toward something amazing.
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying before, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” And although it’s cliché, it’s true. So instead of wasting time comparing your life to someone else’s, find a way to channel YOUR passions into action that can impact people. |
A Dramatic Break-up Letter
written by fifth-year, Alyson Farzad
Dear Fear of the Unknown Future,
I know our relationship has been long and complicated. We were introduced that faithful morning I turned in my first “change-of-major” paperwork, and you took my breath away. We’ve been nearly inseparable since then—me being an anxious type-A personality, and you a persistent and stubborn thought in the back of my head. I accepted you into my life. Lately, however, we have been struggling through an on-again, off-again relationship. I know it has been hard on us both. There are times when I am certain of my post-collegiate plans and I am free of you. But then you come creeping forward with questions and uncertainty, and I fall back into your arms. I realize, now, how conniving you were—only coming back on those nights when my thoughts kept me from sleeping. But here is the thing...I am not doing this anymore. |
Fear of the Unknown Future, WE ARE OVER. I have had it. I left your things by the door, and you can pick them up when you leave for good. I am sorry, but there is no longer room for you in my life. I have made friends who will be by my side for years to come. I have gained knowledge from my classes that have set me up for success. I have grown as a student and as a person thanks to my college experiences. I am a different person now and we are no longer compatible.
I leave UGA in eight months, and there is NO way you are coming with me. I will admit, I still don’t know where I will be after graduation, but there is no chance that I am letting you walk by my side under The Arch. You don’t deserve it. Those pillars of The Arch stand for something more --they stand for the lessons I have learned and the confidence I have to face the future without you by my side. I simply do not need you anymore. |
Sorry, but I’m not sorry. I deserve better and I believe in myself. The future doesn’t have to be scary. The future is, in fact, a beautiful thing. Good riddance, so long, see you never. This is the end of my fear of the unknown future.
Sincerely, A graduating senior P.S. I’m also leaving you for your kinder brother—Excitement for the Unknown Future. We are very happy together, and he treats me better, too. |
From Beginning to End– Smash It.
written by second-year, Alex Carruth
From first semester freshmen, to super-duper seniors, break the mold you made for yourself – smash it to pieces. College is the time to be a pioneer; the time to embark on explorations of new things to new places with new people. Why limit yourself? Do things you never thought you would do; take a GORP trip, learn how to LARP (Live Action Role Play) in Myers Quad one evening, join an intramural team, TALK TO STRANGERS! Leave your inhibitions behind and take the plunge into all the University has to offer! College is the time to experiment with activities and organizations, to change your major fifty times, to do whatever you want to do.
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A friend of mine, Ryan Sichelstiel, once exclaimed, “YOFO […] You’re Only a Freshman Once!” On the same attitude, I say “YOUO – You’re Only an Undergrad Once.” I realize the acronym may be hard to pronounce, but take it to heart. The undergraduate experience is one that will never happen again and no matter where you are in this journey – the beginning or end – try something new. Why limit yourself to stagnation and routine during the prime of your life? Embrace the time you have during your undergrad experience and take full advantage of every opportunity laid out in front of you. Smash the mold, reinvent, have the time of your life. YOUO.
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What's all the hype about my Georgia shirt?
written by fourth-year, Jonathan "Paco" Payne
GO DAWGS!” (Awkwardly stare at stranger who just screamed at you.)
Don’t tell me that this hasn’t happened to you. I know that I have had my fair share of strangers yell “Go Dawgs” at me as I am minding my own business wearing my Georgia shirt. You may have thought that they were just being obnoxious (the finest in the land). But there is more to it than someone being obnoxious. |
In this case, it has to do with the pride that people get when they see someone wearing the shirt of an alma mater or a favorite sports team. It connects them to you and essentially becomes a commonality between you, but it doesn’t have to end there.
You can take pride in literally anything! Going to UGA is just one of the biggest things that a lot of people can take pride in. You can be proud of your work in a group project or on a sports team. You can take pride in the places you volunteer or the people you tutor. Heck! You can be proud to make it to class on time! I know that I’ve been proud of that the past few days thanks to a faulty alarm clock. In all of those cases people will relate to you—your group mates, teammates, volunteers, mentees, and teachers. All of them will share some sort of a connection with you because of the way that they relate to the work that you are proud of. |
The fact of the matter is that as long as you put in your time and hard work, then you deserve to be proud of the fruits of your labor. And along the line, other people will be proud of you too. Whether it’s your coworkers, classmates, parents, or teachers, hard work is recognized and appreciated on a daily basis. Some people get publicly recognized and some people get a simple—but appreciated—pat on the back. And then some people have a proud stranger scream “GO DAWGS!” at them when they least expect it.
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Living the Everythings
written by second-year, Danielle Meinert
I want to do everything. I want to ride on the back of an elephant in Nepal and pretend I'm a giant when I hold the Sydney Opera House in my hands, only after I figure out why I want to go there at all. I want to leave a $30 tip on a $3 milkshake and shake the hand of writer John Green even though he has social anxiety.
When I'm 23 I want to work for an independent publisher, but only after I've spent a year on France's coast speaking to shopkeepers and restauranteurs in my broken French. I plan to live fully, to act with intent. I plan to live my everythings. The fault in these plans are their very premises: I want to do them all. I want to make this life an adventure instead of a labyrinth devoid of free will, but I cannot do my everythings unless I start. The adventure will not startle me if I do not embrace step 1: translate ambition into action. |
As my second year of college begins, I often doubt if I can manage to fit my aspirations into 2.75 years. If I cannot indulge in my dreams now, who will I be post-graduation? Will I even keep the same goals? I expect to change. I know I will grow into someone new by the end of this stage, and maybe my objectives will change too. What matters is that I have these meaningful intentions that drive me toward adventure. If they change, that is okay, because I made an effort to turn them into tangible moments.
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My beginnings involve applying to the study abroad program, the internship, and the job I want in the coming year. Maybe I won't sit on an elephant's back in 2013, but I am taking the steps to make it, or something better, happen someday.
Invoke your beginnings. Talk to the friends you want to make. Put the safe travel books down and pencil in your flight to Italy next summer. Update your résumé and web presence so you are ready for the interview at the company you plan to work at in the spring. Embrace the reality in your everythings so you can begin, too. Your ambition is ready for action. |
Get In Touch With Anyone
written by third-year, Nick Toomey
Have you ever wanted to know someone? Whether for personal or professional reasons, have there ever been times in your life when you would have benefited from having a specific mentor? Have you ever noticed similarities between yourself and someone famous or influential that you wish you could talk to them about?
I have good news. You can. A few days ago I was scrolling through the Facebook page of one my favorite inspirational online communities and found a slideshare presentation put together by a guy I'd never heard of before. He was apparently a web entrepreneur who'd experienced an impressive amount of success at a young age and wanted to share his knowledge with the masses. He compiled all of his favorite quotes, lessons on life and business, and daily practices and issued each one its own slide. I read every single one of the 800+ slides and when I finished, knew I needed to talk to him. Some of the similarities between his life and my own were far too uncanny to ignore. |
After scouring my network and the internet for his email, I proceeded to request a meeting with him.
My email template for landing a meeting with anyone: Hey ________, I hope this email finds you very well. My name is _________ and I came across your name/work/project via _______. I'd love to get your advice on _________ over coffee for 15-20 minutes. In fact I'd like to pick your brain specifically on _________. I can meet you wherever is most convenient for you. I will gladly work around your schedule. Would it be possible for us to meet? Sincerely, __________ Needless to say, he was flattered by my request to ask for advice from him. Even though he was pressed for time we talked over coffee for an hour and a half! We both agreed to share insights and inspirations again in the future and I feel confident that I can call on him for advice again. |
Now: a challenge! Pick one person you want to have a conversation with and do everything in your power to make it happen. If they live far away considering asking for a Skype meeting or a Google Hangout. Be bold. Be unreasonable. Be unrelenting. You might be just the person they want to talk to.
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