Well, I took the leap. The pursuit of meaning in my life has led me to graduate school....to pursue meaning academically. :) As I learn more about the boundless field of communication, I am discovering the field of phenomenology, an area of study entirely dedicated to the process of meaning-making. Seeking, searching, and striving, only to arrive here, where I've always been. :)
In the mere weeks that I have been here, I feel my mind stretching, I feel myself being challenged in new ways, and I find myself in pursuit of my true calling. What Ken Robinson would term "The Element".
The path to our element is not always clear. Sometimes we have to crawl towards it, slowly and blindly. But we find our way eventually, if we refuse to give up, refuse to spend a life in the shadows.
I encourage all of you to keep searching, keep stretching, and keep seeking. The answers to the questions are out there. But as any true seeker knows, it's really the questions that matter anyway.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Thursday, April 19, 2012
You say you want a revolution......
Wow. What a difference a few months makes. I can now say that just a few months from now, my entire life will be different. I have been accepted into a PhD. program! Yesterday I received a call telling me that I have been offered a full assistanceship, which will cover tuition and provide a small stipend. Wow. Over the next couple of months I will be quitting both of my jobs, one of which I have been at for seven years, the other for four. I will be returning to school after an eight year hiatus. I will be moving out of my apartment and in with my boyfriend officially. (My first time living with someone) I will be traveling back to Europe!! (Ah, Europa, I have missed you!!) I will be burying myself in books and articles in preparation. It is truly a revolution. How many chances do you have in life to start over?? I am grateful beyond words to the universe and those special souls who have helped me to unearth this path that awaits me. I am a huge believer that no man is an island, and realize every day that I have had some very special giants who have offered their shoulders to me.
It's funny. I have always considered myself a very independent person. I have taken care of myself and provided for myself for a very long time, but sometimes independence lends itself to foolish pride. Of course we need other people. What a lonely place this would be if we walked this world alone. That is not to say that there is not value to taking time for yourself and maintaining the relationship with your inner being. We cannot allow that relationship to lapse. It's all about balance, finding time for solitude and opening up to those who grace your life with their wisdom and love.
I have a lot to learn. I have a feeling this leap back into academia will teach me more than just communication theory. I expect it will teach me more about who I am. The never-ending journey of self exploration.
It's funny. I have always considered myself a very independent person. I have taken care of myself and provided for myself for a very long time, but sometimes independence lends itself to foolish pride. Of course we need other people. What a lonely place this would be if we walked this world alone. That is not to say that there is not value to taking time for yourself and maintaining the relationship with your inner being. We cannot allow that relationship to lapse. It's all about balance, finding time for solitude and opening up to those who grace your life with their wisdom and love.
I have a lot to learn. I have a feeling this leap back into academia will teach me more than just communication theory. I expect it will teach me more about who I am. The never-ending journey of self exploration.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
New Year!
It is a new year! Although it may be cliched, I have always enjoyed the process of resolution, and the feeling of a new year ahead full of limitless possibilities.
I have resolved to get back in touch. My work schedule has hindered my personal relationships to a frightening degree, but I vow to do all I can to begin rebuilding those relationships that I have been neglecting.
I have resolved to have more substantive conversations. I miss the tingly feeling of those conversations that challenge the mind and spark the soul.
I have resolved to finish books and work on my attention span! In our ever-accelerating society, wherein online forums contain a "too long, didn't read" summary expectation for paragraph-long stories, I refuse to surrender my brain to this new social/intellectual norm.
I have resolved to eat better. This may be the most difficult one of all. Gone are the days of my 21 year old self that could live on a junk food diet without bodily consequences.
I have resolved to be the kind of person I'd like to be around. I think this is something that I have been neglecting lately. It is easy, when you find yourself loved, to convince yourself that that is enough. It isn't. We must constantly maintain a standard for ourselves, and strive to be the person we want to be.
I have resolved to build my knowledge base. The information that we have at our fingertips! What a shame to take that for granted. Education tends to be staunchly segmented, at times to a fault. It stands to reason that if I am to pursue a degree in Interpersonal Communication, I should have a strong baseline in psychology, sociology, and cultural anthropology. Even if I do not get into the program, I would like to pursue classes in these areas. Additionally, I want to dedicate myself to independent study as well. I need to wake my brain up.
I want to rediscover music. This is another area of my life that has found itself neglected. I miss the soul spark that occurs when a song touches you.
New year, new possibilities. In a world constantly moving, always looking for the next upgrade, don't forget to upgrade yourself!
I have resolved to get back in touch. My work schedule has hindered my personal relationships to a frightening degree, but I vow to do all I can to begin rebuilding those relationships that I have been neglecting.
I have resolved to have more substantive conversations. I miss the tingly feeling of those conversations that challenge the mind and spark the soul.
I have resolved to finish books and work on my attention span! In our ever-accelerating society, wherein online forums contain a "too long, didn't read" summary expectation for paragraph-long stories, I refuse to surrender my brain to this new social/intellectual norm.
I have resolved to eat better. This may be the most difficult one of all. Gone are the days of my 21 year old self that could live on a junk food diet without bodily consequences.
I have resolved to be the kind of person I'd like to be around. I think this is something that I have been neglecting lately. It is easy, when you find yourself loved, to convince yourself that that is enough. It isn't. We must constantly maintain a standard for ourselves, and strive to be the person we want to be.
I have resolved to build my knowledge base. The information that we have at our fingertips! What a shame to take that for granted. Education tends to be staunchly segmented, at times to a fault. It stands to reason that if I am to pursue a degree in Interpersonal Communication, I should have a strong baseline in psychology, sociology, and cultural anthropology. Even if I do not get into the program, I would like to pursue classes in these areas. Additionally, I want to dedicate myself to independent study as well. I need to wake my brain up.
I want to rediscover music. This is another area of my life that has found itself neglected. I miss the soul spark that occurs when a song touches you.
New year, new possibilities. In a world constantly moving, always looking for the next upgrade, don't forget to upgrade yourself!
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