Life Without Limits

I really liked this book because it told of how Nick Vujicic learned to live without limbs, and the struggles he overcame; and sometimes still struggles with. When he was born his mother didn’t want to touch him or hold him when she found out he didn’t have any limbs. He was bullied constantly but he has used his disability to change people’s lives. I liked his personal narratives about how he has travelled around the world telling people his story. He talked about how to live a life without limits and provided a personal action plan. If you have the desire and the passion to do something, and it’s within God’s will you will achieve it. To live without limits you need….

1.      A powerful sense of purpose.

2.      Hope so strong it can’t be destroyed.

3.      Faith in God and the infinite possibilities.

4.      Love and self-acceptance.

5.      Attitude with altitude.

6.      A courageous spirit.

7.      Willingness to change.

8.       A trusting heart.

9.       Hunger for opportunities.

10.   The ability to access risks and to laugh at life.

11.   A mission to serve others first. 

       In life you will hit hard times. You will fall down and feel like it’s not worth getting back up. Life isn’t easy but when we overcome challenges we become stronger and more grateful for opportunities. What’s really important are the lives you touch along the way and how to finish the journey. No matter how grim life may look you can rise above it. To wish for change will change nothing. You have to take action right now. The challenges in life often show us who we are meant to be. Don’t put your life on hold so you can dwell on past hurts. Look for ways to move forward. Maybe there is a better opportunity down the road. Stay focused on your dreams. Do whatever it takes to change your circumstances and go after what you desire. Fill your life with adventure, love, and happiness. There is no reason to stew over a wish that doesn’t happen right away. Just be open-minded to the fact that God may have a different path for you. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t see the way on your own. There are many ways to reach a goal. God helps those who help themselves. It’s up to you to keep striving to the highest purpose. Keep moving ahead because action creates momentum which can crate unanticipated opportunities. You should think you are a stick in the world you pot of stew. You can stir it up.

       When you start to have trust in your talents, knowledge, love you will begin the journey to self-acceptance. When you are unwilling to accept yourself you are less willing to accept others which can lead to isolation and loneliness. When you judge yourself too harshly you put too much pressure on you and become more judgmental. Loving and accepting yourself will open the door to a greater sense of peace and fulfillment. Instead of dwelling on imperfections focus on the contributions you can make. You can define your own version of perfection. We each have some gift, talent, skill, craft that gives us pleasure that often leads to the path of happiness. When you finally find your purpose passion will follow. You will live to pursue it. If you feel your spirits tumbling go to the mirror and look at yourself until you can find a characteristic you love about yourself. It doesn’t have to be physical. Dwell on it for a while, be grateful, and know that your beauty and value comes from the unique person you are.
         Life without meaning has no hope. Life without hope has no meaning. Hope is where dreams begin. It has a voice of purpose, it speaks to you and reassures that it happens to you and doesn’t live within you. You can’t control what happens to you but you can control the response. Trust in Him, keep hope in you, and when faced with the worst do whatever you can to prepare for the best. God know how much you can take. People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is but but when the darkness comes their true beauty is reveled only if there is a light from within. If you don’t shine form within it may because you rely on others to validate you to give you confidence, or feel appreciated. Hope often appears to give us proof of God’s presence. If your suffering is a burden, reach out and ease someone else’s. Lift them up so they can find comfort that they are not alone. Offer compassion when you need it and be a friend when you need friendship.
       Faith is defined as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Faith stands for Full Assurance in the Heart. The key to moving forward in life is to let the vision be not guided by what you can see but what you can imagine. If you can imagine a better future, you can believe it. If you believe it you can achieve it. Live as though you can do anything you dream of doing. When we feel wiped down by a huge challenge, trust that anything is possible. You may feel that the whole world is line up against you. But believe that things can change, solutions will appear, and help can arrive from unexpected places. Look for the best solution and trust that every obstacle serves a purpose. Have faith that your story will unfold and it will be incredible.
       There is no perfect route to long tem happiness but if you give yourself only temporary pleasures you will only get temporary pleasures. Life isn’t about having, it’s about being. God makes no mistakes, but he does make miracles. You are one. Without a positive attitude you can never rise above and make the difference you wish to make. Ask yourself do I want to spend the rest of my life wallowing in misery or do I want to rise above what has happened and pursue my dreams? Change your negative attitude to a positive one.

1.      I will never get over this. – It will pass.

2.      I can’t take this anymore. – I got this far. Better days are ahead.

3.      This is the worst I have ever had it. – Somedays are harder than others.

4.      I’ll never find another job. – One door is closed but another will open.

Take it one day at a time and you will become more than a conqueror. Socrates said “Let him that would move the world, move himself first”. When you can’t catch a break try creating your own. Don’t let fear keep you from chasing your dreams. Treat fear like a smoke detector. Pay attention to when it goes off; look around for any real danger or just the alarm ringing. If there is no real threat put it out of your life. You can’t enjoy life if you fear what might happen one day somewhere. Many fearful people focus on what if when we should be focused on why not?

         You never know what is around the next corner. It could be the answer you’re looking for. Edison said “Every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward”. There is no shame in tripping, screwing up, or striking out. It’s only shame if you don’t use the motivation from your misses to try harder and stay in the game. God will often make you work harder for goals putting stumbling blocks in the path. He is preparing you for bigger and better days so that we will grow. Challenges are often thrown in our way and we are more prepared for then we realize. God will give us a nudge that allows us to take the giant leap.  Keep in mind that this is new. It will be strange. You will need to stay calm, not panic, and be patient. It will all work out for the best. Give yourself some slack and time to adjust. It helps prepare you for the unexpected jolts. Taking responsibility is the only way to master the conditions along the journey. You made the leap now you have to grow in the environment. The progress may be stressful but the personal growth is worth it. Growing pains are a sign that you are stretching and reaching new heights. I encourage you to embrace the change that elevates your life and be the force of change that uplifts the lives of others. One of my favorite bible verses is ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door shall be opened Matthew 7:7-8. Often times the reason why people miss opportunities is when it comes knocking they are out looking for a 4 leaf clover. Invest in your future by preparing, dedicating to your goals, and knowing when to make the leap. If you feel like you never get a shot it may be because you aren’t ready to fire. Break a sweat, get your hands dirty, and hit the books. But not every opportunity is worth it. You have to be true to yourself and think of the impact you want to make long-term. Developing lasting relationships is key to have a fruitful life. Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up Ecclesiastes 4:9. Even after you have built up a life with purpose you can’t just wait around for something to happen. Seize every thread and weave a rope to climb. Sometimes that boulder that fell in your path is actually an opening that takes you to a higher place. But you have to have the courage to make the decent. Take it one step at time, build momentum, and create the life you love. The choices you make determine the quality of the life you lead. Be thoughtful in developing high standards and strict criteria for evaluating how you invest your time and energy. Base your choices on not how you feel in the moment but on what best serves your ultimate goals.
          Every living person should try to commit to doing something ridiculous every day. Helen Keller said “There is no such thing as a secure life. It doesn’t exist in nature. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing”. Risk is the place between your comfort zone and your dream is where it takes place. It’s has high anxiety but it’s often where you discover who you are. But you should never take a risk where you lose more than you win. An ancient African proverb says that no one tests the depth of the river with both feet. Enjoy the ride, embrace the blessings, and not just to live but to enjoy life to the fullest.
            When you step outside yourself and reach out to others it will change you. Everything you can do to better someone else’s life better makes your life more meaningful.

The 12 Steps and 12 Traditions of A.A

 I found this book to be very insightful to the thought process of someone who is addicted to alcohol. A.A was created in 1935 by Dr. Bob and Bill W. The first text for the group was published in 1939. In 1950 they had a conference and in 2009 A.A was in over 180 countries.

     The 12 Steps are critical to the recovery of the addict.
      Step 1 We admitted we were powerless over alcohol and our lives have become unmanageable. This is the step when the user admits complete defeat and humiliation. They realize that their disease is a mental obsession and a physical allergy. They have to admit hopelessness, desire happiness and purpose, need self confidence, become open-minded, and have a willingness to listen. This often leads to revolt. But this is the first step toward liberation and strength.
       Step 2 We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. The user thought they were better than everyone else, have defied God blaming Him for not having the good things in life, and felt deserted. This is the step where a journey and a transformation has to happen for the user to continue on to the next steps. They must experience true humility, honesty, tolerance, ambition, be hard working, show fairness, and decency. They must take stock of themselves, make amends, and freely give.
      Step 3 Made a decision to turn over our will over to the care of God as we understood Him. Action equals cutting away the self that blocked God. The most important things in this step are willingness and will power. The dependence on God leads to a true independence. The user must try to find someone they can depend on.
     Step 4 Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Instincts are necessary for the human existence; procreation, social companionship, emotional security, but too much can lead to domination or revulsion; which is unhealthy. This is a subtle, dominating, rule of power. The user experiences self-loathing, guilt, resentment, blame, unwanted pride, self-pity, fear, and disturbances. They often ask themselves how did my personality change when I was using? What type of coping skills did I use? Great assets can turn into habits and they discover who they are.
      Step 5 Admitted to God, to ourselves, and another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. The user doesn't like to talk, experience a high degree of loneliness, and have a feeling of non-belonging. But they can be forgiven. This is made possible by accepting defeats, being honest, taking advice, holding back nothing, and accepting direction. By knowing who they are they attempt to become who they desire. The road to straight thinking creates a honest and genuine humility. The hardest thing in this step is finding someone who they can confide in.
      Step 6 Were tiredly ready to have God remove all these defects of character. This is when the user grows in the image and likeness in God. They want to remove the mania, come to grips with the most horrible defeats, desire self-preservation, and want to discover God's will for them. Delay is dangerous, rebellion can be fatal, but don't give up, beware of the 7 deadly sins, and aim to perfection. The difference is between being a boy/girl to becoming a man/woman.
      Step 7 Humbly ask Him to remove our shortcomings. They drank into oblivion and it was never enough. They never thought that being honest, having tolerance, and true love for man and God could be the basis of living. They must consider what humility is and the benefits are. "True humility" is

•  Submitting that God is the legitimate authority
• Recognizing virtues and talents that others possess, giving due honor and obedience
• Recognizing the limits of one's talents, ability, or authority; and, not reaching for what is beyond one's grasp

"False humility" is deprecating one's own sanctity, gifts, talents, and accomplishments for the sake of receiving praise from others. This involves the courage to summon their faith when symptoms arise. Shaping one's own destiny is possible if done right with God's purpose. Gaining a new perspective can help them get something they really wanted rather than something they MUST have.
      Step 8 Make a list of all persons we have harmed, and become willing to make amends to them all. This step involves repairing, cleaning away the past, and opening old wounds. Forgiveness, peace, partnership, and brotherhood is key. They must mend what they can, avoid extreme judgement, and this must be received on both sides. This really begins the end of isolation.
      Step 9 Make direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. This step involves good discretion, great timing, courage, and prudence. Prudence is learning from experience and having an open mind. The user needs to make sure that they are completely ready, take responsibility for the welfare others, try not to evade the issue at hand, and make sure their loved ones know they are serious. Seeking authority, being quick witted, having the ability to discipline, and seeing ahead to the possibility of a positive future is key.
      Step 10 Continue to take personal inventory and when we are wrong promptly admit it. The learning and growing process continues. Self-searching will become a habit, admit and accept what they find, and persistently try to correct this wrong. Look for progress not perfection, practice self-restraint, have a honest analysis of what's involved, display a willingness to admit when it's their fault, and the equal willingness to forgive. The user can't act in good purpose until self-restraint is automatic. Know their true motives, having gratitude, displaying kindness, having courtesy, and not making unreasonable demands is key. Trying for a better tomorrow and searching their heart with no fear or favor is the goal.
       Step 11 Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. Prayer and meditation is a direct link to God. This gives peace, love, harmony, forgiveness, truth, hope, joy, comfort, and understanding. Constructive imagination brings emotional balance, peace of mind, wisdom, and strength.
       Step 12 Having a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, We tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. The joy of living, giving, helping others, giving advice, demonstrating faith, having leadership, freeing ambition, and walking humbly with God is key. This leads to being well grounded, realizing that they don't need to dominate to gain importance and they don't need to seek fame and honor to be praised. With the right attitudes and the right action is the key to good living.
   
The 12 Traditions

1. Our common welfare should come 1st; personal recovery depends upon A.A unity.
    Unity is most important, they are a small part of a whole, no personal sacrifice is too great, and they can have freedom but they have to work as a group.
2. For our group purpose there is 1 ultimate authority, a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience our leaders are but trusted servants; they don't govern. There is no one person that governs the A.A.
3. The only requirement of A.A is the desire to stop drinking. The ability to be free to choose to go to group or not.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or A.A as a whole. The whole group can't be threatened.
5. Each group has 1 primary purpose to carry it's message to the alcoholic who still suffers. The message of A.A must be passed to other alcoholics and they should help any way we can.
6. An A.A group ought to never endorse,finance, or lend the A.A name to lest problems of money, property, or prestige divert us from our primary purpose. 
7. Every A.A group ought to be full self-supporting declining outside contributions. 
8. A.A should remain forever non-professional but our service centers may employ special workers. 
9. A.A, as such ought, never be
 organized but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible for those we serve. 
   They must be avoid the dangers of too much wealth, prestige, and entrenched power to tempt them.
10.  A.A has no opinion on outside issues; hence the name shall never be drawn into public controversy. 
  They must remain neutral.
11. Our public relations is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of the press, radio, and film.
  Personal ambition has no place and they must act as a guardian.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities. They must make sacrifices and have a high confidence in their future.

ACCORD Stuffed Animal Drive

Allegany County Community Opportunities and Rural Development (ACCORD) is a grant-funded community action agency, originally formed in 1972 as the Housing Action Corporation. It was established to fight poverty in Allegany County by a group of concerned citizens who recognized the need to improve housing conditions for low to moderate income individuals and families.

Today, ACCORD, due to its growth and expansion over the years, and because of rising needs in the community, now provides a multitude of different services.

The part of the organization that I would be working with is the Community Action Angels program. This program is devoted to providing hope to people experiencing any difficult circumstance. This program includes a holiday gift program for children, holiday food boxes, clothing/furniture collection and distribution, nursing home projects, services for the elderly, highway clean up, fundraisers, coat drives for children, disaster and emergency relief, transportation,  financial assistance for medical co-pays, utilities and car repairs, purchasing of  household goods, furniture and/or appliances, minor home repairs, baby and toddler clothing and/or supplies, and food drives for distribution.

My project was working with these Angels to host a stuffed animal drive to give to traumatized children for the book to buddy program.  I had cardboard boxes in the SLC to collect the materials.

I advertised the event with posters, student announcement, poster on Pioneer Link and the cable channel, and created a Facebook event.  The event was very successful and I donated three garbage bags of stuffed animals for the organization.  

Allegany County Community Opportunities and Rural Development (ACCORD) is a grant-funded community action agency, originally formed in 1972 as the Housing Action Corporation. It was established to fight poverty in Allegany County by a group of concerned citizens who recognized the need to improve housing conditions for low to moderate income individuals and families.

Today, ACCORD, due to its growth and expansion over the years, and because of rising needs in the community, now provides a multitude of different services.

The part of the organization that I would be working with is the Community Action Angels program. This program is devoted to providing hope to people experiencing any difficult circumstance. This program includes a holiday gift program for children, holiday food boxes, clothing/furniture collection and distribution, nursing home projects, services for the elderly, highway clean up, fundraisers, coat drives for children, disaster and emergency relief, transportation,  financial assistance for medical co-pays, utilities and car repairs, purchasing of  household goods, furniture and/or appliances, minor home repairs, baby and toddler clothing and/or supplies, and food drives for distribution.

My project was working with these Angels to host a stuffed animal drive to give to traumatized children for the book to buddy program.  I had cardboard boxes in the SLC to collect the materials.

I advertised the event with posters, student announcement, poster on Pioneer Link and the cable channel, and created a Facebook event.  The event was very successful and I donated three garbage bags of stuffed animals for the organization.

 

Farwell Alfred

I am feeling very sad while writing this editorial because I do not want to say goodbye to Alfred State College. The experiences and opportunities I have had in my three years here have shaped who I am. The maturity, personal growth, and intelligence I have gained has been fantastic to experience. My first time coming here I was not sure what my goals were, but I now know what I want in my life. I have achieved being a leader, being comfortable in my own skin, confidence in myself, gained many close friends I can rely on, learned how to find resources to be “in the know,” feel connected with the college and community members, found my inner passions, gained confidence talking to people without pressure or fear, finding out who I really am, and what makes me truly happy. Becoming editor of the Tor Echo has improved my writing skills, fulfilled a bucket list moment, and I cannot thank Dr. Quinn enough for this amazing opportunity. I will be graduating from Alfred State College knowing that it is a place that I consider my home away from home.

Get Real with It Seeking Opportunities While at Alfred

Get Real with It is a new program started by Taquon Middletown and Nickie Hockenberry. The program’s goal is to inspire minority students to be successful and take advantage of opportunities while at Alfred by hearing the inspirational stories of guest speakers. The first session was held on February 26^th and is a bi-weekly program. Taquon was one of the first speakers because he is one of the cofounders of the program. When Taquon came to Alfred he made partying, drinking, and illegal activities his main priority. He got arrested often and did not focus on academics. Kim Williams noticed his behavior and encouraged him to get his life turned around. He started going to counseling sessions, made goals and priorities, and keeps a positive attitude. He has a new mindset. He has worked really hard, got his grades up, got a job on campus, and received scholarships to spend a semester abroad.

Another guest speaker at this event was Thomas Daniels. Thomas grew up in the Bronx. His mother was a single parent and the mother of seven children. His dad was not involved in his life because he was incarcerated. To protect his family, Thomas joined a gang. When he was 16 his friend was shot in the back of the head and as he lay dying he asked “why me?” Thomas watched his friend die and became angry because he felt that the world lost a really good person. He was encouraged to go to college and came to Alfred. When he first arrived, he was very angry, not expressive, and did not open up. He then decided to make changes when he started counseling. He started working, volunteering, and excelling.

Alfred provides many opportunities for college students. Talking to people, joining clubs, and getting your name out there can be the best opportunities to accomplish dreams. There are people here who truly care about the students. Discover who you are, vent feelings, and take full advantage of the opportunities here like Taquon and Daniel. “I believe that anything is possible, believing starts within yourself. The opinions of others have no value, just believe. You have to want success as much as your next breath,” Taquon commented. 

Son of Holocaust Survivor’s Talk

Murray Deutsch recently visited Alfred State College and did a presentation about his family’s experiences during WWII. His parents were born in Czechoslovakia, which is known today as Ukraine. His dad was a traveling teacher and his mother was rich, spoiled, owned property and lived on a farm. After graduating high school his mother went to Budapest to attend college and worked as a wig maker. She was a social butterfly and networked with many people. As time passed it became common knowledge that an event, later known as the Holocaust, was occurring. The Holocaust began because Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Third Reich, had convinced the German populace that they were a superior race. The goal of the Holocaust was to target and methodically irradiate mass numbers of Jewish descendents to create a superior race. This irradiation would create expanded opportunities for German leadership and living regions for the new German race. The Holocaust occurred predominately during WWII, from 1941-1945. This genocide became known as the largest in modern history.

 It became obvious to his mother and father that the Jewish population was being targeted. They feared that they would be transported by freight train to specially built extermination camps where, if they survived the journey, they would be systematically killed in gas chambers. His mother and father needed to become creative to be able to survive. Because of her social connections his mother was saved because others assisted her to become a nun in disguise. She worked in a hospital that fronted as providing health care, but actually took in people that were Jewish to hide them from the Nazi’s control and extermination. His dad however was captured and placed in a labor concentration camp and was continuously in fear that he would die. He noticed a huge pile of trash in the middle of the camp and he decided to crawl underneath it and hide for three days and nights. After hearing that the fighting and yelling had ceased, he crawled out and slipped out of the camp and headed towards Budapest. He eventually escaped to the refugee hospital where he met his future wife, the nun. They fell in love and were married a short time later.

After the war ended they traveled back to her childhood home but found it occupied by another family and were told to leave. This was not uncommon for survivors to not be able to recover their own personal property after surviving the war. They had nowhere to live, but they heard about survivor refugee camps located in Turio, Italy, where his parents relocated and lived for a few years. During their time there they had two children, his brother and himself. During their time in Italy they repeatedly applied for paperwork to move the United States and eventually arrived in the States.    

“It’s On Us” Campaign Movement on Alfred State Campus

Alfred State College began partnering with the White House and The Generation Project last semester for the campaign entitled “It’s On Us.” The goal of this campaign is to “promote being an empowered bystander and sending the message that it is truly on all of us to help eradicate sexual violence on college campuses,” according to Nikkie Hockenberry, coordinator of Equity, Inclusion, and Title IX located at Alfred State. The college recently showed the film It Happened Here during Ally week. The film was followed by a question and answer session with the producer Marjorie Schwartz Nielsen and one of the subjects of the documentary, Sarah O'Brien. The movie explored sexual assault on campuses through the personal testimonials of five survivors from three schools along with testimonials from college administrators, educators, mental health experts and legal scholars. The video featured many students, faculty, and staff talking about how the rape culture needs to end. The students described surviving a sexual assault and how that when they reported the crime, people’s reactions were disbelief, blame, and encouraged them to forgive and forget.

Sarah is a Vanderbilt University student athlete who has mobilized other survivors and activists at staged events, such as Take Back the Night and The Clothesline Project. She presented a list of demands to Vanderbilt deans that have led to a revision of Vanderbilt’s policies. Sarah said that the purpose of releasing the film was to change intervention strategies at college campuses, empower people to tell their stories and make change.

These students went to college excited and ready to find their independence. It is a time in a student’s life where they seek new experiences, make lasting friendships, find out where they belong, and discover their passions. Experiencing a sexual assault robs them of enjoying college to the fullest. As a result of the attack they had panic attacks, did not feel safe, experienced anxiety, felt isolated, had difficulty concentrating, and their grades dropped. 85% of rape incidents are committed by perpetrators that the people know. “The worst part is knowing that my friend did it,” said Erica Daniels.  

“It’s On Us”, hence the name of the campaign, seeks to create a safe environment for people who have been victim to sexual assaults on college campuses and offer them support. It is on us to not blame the victim, not to look the other way, step in, help someone get home safely, and take responsibility. According to assaults that have been reported, 1 in 5 college students are sexually assaulted. This is not just a woman’s issue because men can be assaulted as well. 100% of the time it is not the victim’s fault. Rape victims are the highest percentage of victims that experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), more than any other group.

Alfred State shows support for the “It’s on Us” campaign through activities such as Take Back the Night. This year during Take Back the Night the Chief of University Police Leslie Kachurek talked about the free services that the campus police offer to all Alfred State students. They offer referrals, change of room assignments, escort services, counseling on and off campus, judicial affairs actions, arrests, and order of protections. During the event the “It’s on Us” Alfred State video was shown.

There are many things that a person can do to stand up against sexual assault; obtain clear, verbal consent, respect a person’s right to say no, sign a pledge to commit to intervene, educate yourself and others on the issues, advocate for more rape prevention education programs, youth violence prevention programs, participate in a Take Back the Night march, and avoid blaming the victim. Their experiences showed how they turned their tragedy into a springboard for change.