"When the sun is shining, I can do anything; no mountain is too high, no trouble too difficult to overcome." ~Wilma Rudolph

As I sit down outside to write this final blog post, the scene is so peaceful.  The sky has no clouds at all, the sun is beating down, and there is a slight breeze indicative of the summer season.  And, I feel wonderful.  Today has been an amazing day, and I give almost all the credit to this glorious sunny weather.  Yesterday, when the scene was a little less bright, and the sun a little less warm, I had a significantly less wonderful day.

Just as fiction authors and playwrights use weather and scenery to create mood, people feed off of mother nature to form their own moods every day.  Without realizing it, we have significantly more "good" days when the weather is nicer.

Wilma Rudolph said, "When the sun is shining, I can do anything; no mountain is too high, no trouble too difficult to overcome."  This is true, but why can't we transfer these sentiments to cloudy days as well?

We cannot allow a majority of rainy days to be "bad" anymore.  The next rainy day, just imagine that the sun is out, or find beauty in different parts of the rainy day--the way the droplets hang off the trees, the ominous piling of clouds in the sky, or the sloshing noise of rain boots on pavement, for example.

The technique I just described should work for nearly anyone.  However, if just imagining sunshine isn't enough, or if you can't find any beauty in a rainy day, then you must simply create your own sun.  Smile more, find humor in little things, and seek out the people you love the most.  There is always something to smile about, and a rainy day should not be the sole cause of a bad mood.

The good news is, the next few days are forecasted to have glorious, beautiful weather, perfect for being outdoors and soaking up some sun.  Enjoy every ray of sunshine and the imminent joy that comes with it, but bottle up some happiness to save for a rainy day.

"The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do." ~Walter Bagehot

Everybody loves an underdog.

Photo Courtesy of Jonathan

Can you imagine a world where the super-villain wins in ever movie, the number one seed always triumphs in the March Madness tournament, and rags never turn to riches?

It sounds awfully dull to me. What if it were impossible for anyone to rise from the bottom and reach the top?  If we had nothing to work for and nothing to prove, what would be the point in trying to accomplish anything at all?

A huge source of motivation for me is the ability to prove people wrong.  As Walter Bagehot stated, "The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do."  Whenever you are faced with a seemingly insurmountable task, doesn't attempting the task becomes all the more tantalizing?  And, when someone tells you that something is "too difficult," or that your goal is "unattainable," doesn't your goal become irresistible?

The other day in class, we made lists of things that motivate us.  My list included:
-When people are counting on me
-A due date
-Satisfaction of finishing
-Something to look forward to
-Proving people wrong

When I first made my list, I avoided adding things like recognition, self-affirmation, and rewards because they seemed selfish.  Yet, when I thought more about it, I realized that all of those things play a large part in keeping me motivated.  Sometimes, I try to convince myself that I don't seek the approval of others and do not care what others think about me.  However, I would bet that almost everyone is motivated by reactions of other people.  We have so many interactions with a plethora of people each day.  We'd be lying if we tried to say that we always live unselfishly and never think about ourselves and how our image comes across to others.

The last item on my list was "Proving People Wrong."  I almost didn't add it out of embarrassment, simply because it seemed petty and selfish.  But this is, quite honestly, my number one motivating factor.  As I thought about all my proudest accomplishments and what motivated me, they were almost exclusively driven by the desire to prove someone wrong.  Being the underdog in a game, competition, interview, or in achieving any goal is wonderful.  When I identify as the underdog, I take pleasure in working harder and in knowing that, by winning or achieving my goal, I will surprise people.

I determined out of this exercise that it doesn't matter what motivates you, as long as you know what it is.  Nobody will know what is motivating you, or care what drives you to work but they will notice when you accomplish a difficult task.

No matter what, there is pleasure in proving others wrong and in proving your self-worth.  Proving oneself is a vital component in motivating a person to continue to seek future successes, regardless of who the person happens to be.

Now, whenever somebody tells you that something is out of your reach, be sure to use their criticism to fuel your desire to accomplish your goal and prove them wrong.

"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." ~Annie Dillard

I had an instant connection with this quote, an instant lightbulb, an instant feeling of understanding.

I, Brooke Cichocki, have reached enlightenment.  I guess I'm done here.

I'm only kidding, but the impact that this quote had on me was immediate and powerful.  I'll tell you my story.

Photo Courtesy of Joshua Aguilar

Monday, March 27 was a cloudy, dry, cool day with a dull, sleepy kind of feel--one of those days you walk around campus and everyone you see is wearing sweatpants and your only interactions with classmates include, "huh, it's cloudy outside today."  I went to my classes, did my work, ate my meals, and wound up back in my dorm room at 10:00pm, planning Tuesday, March 28.  At that point, it occurred to me that I went through my entire day just going through the motions.  No specific moments stuck out as positive or negative, and I could hardly even remember walking home.

I went to bed, and woke up.  Tuesday, March 28.  The weather was the exact same, but the air had slightly more bite to it.  I went to class, did my work, ate my meals, and wound up back in my dorm room at 10:00pm, planning Wednesday, March 29.  At that point, it occurred to me that I went through my entire day just going through the motions.  No specific moments stuck out as positive or negative, and I could hardly even remember walking home.  Sound familiar?

Now, I decided I needed some serious motivation to get me out of my drab frame of mind.  Naturally, I turned to my handy, ever-present stack-o-quotes.  I flipped through a few, feeling utterly uninspired.  But then, I struck gold: 

"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." --Annie Dillard.

Wow.

If you think about it, the quote is really simple.  Our lives are just made up of strings of days, after all.  Yet, we never seem to think of it in that way.  I always used to think that my days were some minuscule unit of time leading up to some big unknown event--maybe the day I graduate ,or get my first job, or have kids, or retire, or do anything noteworthy.  I used to tell myself "you win some, you lose some" and "bad days don't mean anything, I'll have a good day soon."  But now, somehow, it's different.

Photo Courtesy of Dafne Cholet

I lived Monday, March 27 and Tuesday, March 28 in limbo--not accomplishing, or failing, or discovering, or anything.  Those are two days of my life.  Sure, life is relatively long, but I spent at least 48 hours of it just "going through the motions."  How I spent those days was, at the time, how I was spending my life.  And I'm not okay with that.

I want to spend my life laughing and loving and achieving and realizing.  Of course, some days I'll be crying and wondering and hurting and losing.  But, on those days, I'll still be working towards the large, overarching goal of stringing all my days together to truly live a fulfilling life.

So, next time you're just going through the motions, notice it, and try your best to change it so that you can spend your life the way that you want to most.

"Loneliness is the poverty of self, solitude is the richness of self" ~May Sarton

For the last month, I have been living without a phone, and I am here to tell you that I am alive and well.

I am a survivor.

Long story short, on THON weekend, I dropped my phone in the toilet and due to panicking and slight sleep-deprivation, I turned on the phone right away which fried its insides and shut it down for good.  I finally received a working phone in the mail this week, marking nearly a full month living in the "Stone Ages" (as some of my friends have so kindly told me).  

Photo Courtesy of magicatwork

While I felt extremely disconnected from the world during this month, I cannot say that I minded.  I realized that I don't need to check Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat every other hour.  I realized that I did not miss out on anything that my friends were up to, just because I couldn't text them.  I realized that having my phone only distracts me while studying, and that I was so much more productive without it.

Society fools us into thinking that to be "connected," we need to be constantly checking social media, and that using technology is the only way to communicate.  Sure, it is fast, but much more quality conversations are always had face-to-face.  

And, while I walked to class without my phone, I made eye contact and smiled at strangers walking by without a second thought, which brightened my day.  While waiting outside of classrooms or offices for meetings, I could no longer rely on my phone as a clutch to keep me occupied.  Instead, I was much more observant of the people around me and had time to think about my day and do some self-reflection.

Photo Courtesy of Patrick Marioné

I will admit that the first few days, I felt oddly lonely.  Without my phone, I had extreme fear-of-missing-out, and felt odd not communicating with people 24/7.  However, after a while, I embraced the idea of solitude.  

"Solitude," the state of being alone, is completely different from "loneliness."  "Solitude" is often associated with peacefulness, and tranquility--being alone because you want to.   Merriam-Webster defines "loneliness" as "being without company, sad from being alone, and producing a feeling of bleakness or desolation."

So, when I went to study in the stacks without my phone, I was in complete solitude.  I accepted the fact that I had no way of reaching anyone, and no one could reach me.  I was there for one reason, to do work for a few hours and see how much I could accomplish.  That idea brought me a feeling of contentedness, and allowed me to do my best work efficiently.  I was alone because I wanted to be, and I was happy to be there.  

Solitude is really nice, and I would have never discovered this if I hadn't broken my phone.   So, the next time that something inconvenient happens to you, embrace it.  Be open to the possibility that, by adjusting to the situation at hand, you may just find a new perspective that breathes fresh air into your life.

"I don't believe in guilty pleasures. If you enjoy something, you just enjoy it. No sense feeling guilty about it." ~Cristina Moracho

What is your guilty pleasure?  Is it ice cream?  Netflix?  Shopping sprees?

Mine is The Bachelor.

Photo Courtesy of Tamara Korovina

If, by any chance, you are not familiar with the show, twenty-eight women compete for one man and the chance to become his future wife.  The show is set up so that the man, "the bachelor," goes on a group date and several one-on-one dates each episode.  He eliminates a few girls at the end of each week, until he is left with one--his fiancée.  When there are three or four women left, the bachelor meets with each of the girls' families, and in the season finale, the remaining contestants meet the bachelor's family. 

Just allow me to say--the show is absolutely insane and wrong on so many levels, and yet, I love it.

Is it right for a man to date twenty-eight women at once?  Not at all.  Is it entertaining?  Without a doubt.

Photo Courtesy of Ryan Fung

The Bachelor is undeniably my guilty pleasure because it is dramatic and shocking every week without fail.  The dates are fantastical, lavish, and completely swoon-worthy.  The mansion is beautiful and the gowns are spectacular.  In the end, the engagement ring is huge and the proposal is romantic.  Of course, all of this is artificial, but it satisfies my sweet tooth for romance, drama, and reality TV.

I am completely aware that there are much more wholesome and enriching things I could be doing with my life for two hours every Monday, but I wouldn't want to be doing anything differently.

Why should anyone have to defend their guilty pleasure?  Unless the thing you enjoy the most is destructive emotionally, or harmful to your physical well-being, just enjoy it!  My guilty pleasure allows me to stop thinking, worrying, and stressing for a few lovely hours, and I honestly look forward to Monday nights because I can't wait to relax for a change.  

Author Cristina Moracho said, "I don't believe in guilty pleasures.  If you enjoy something, you just enjoy it.  No sense feeling guilty about it."  I could not agree more.  

I think that all of us should have one guilty pleasure--something that helps us get through a tough week or allows us to let go of stress.  Indulging in a guilty pleasure is healthy in moderation, and this indulgence has the power to give us a kind of emotional and mental therapy that we all need every once in a while.

So, the next time you are sitting down to watch Extreme Couponing, Finding Bigfoot, or whatever reality TV you are most embarrassed to love, don't give it a second thought.  You are worth it.  Just concentrate on enjoying life and all that it has to offer, including television, ice cream, and shopping malls.

“Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others.” ~Robert Louis Stevenson

Blast off, BJC!  Can you feel the energy?

A few short weeks ago, many of us experienced our first THON.  And if our experiences were at all similar, THON may be the most emotional, awe-inspiring event you in which you have ever participated.

From the second the doors opened to the final few minutes, the Bryce Jordan Center was full of energy, optimism, and hope.  It was incredibly moving to see so many people standing and dancing together in support of the same wonderful cause.  Confession: I teared up a little during every single line dance.

I have followed THON for the past couple years, just watching the last few minutes on the Livestream to see the total, and my high school had its first-ever Mini-THON my senior year.  As soon as I chose Penn State, I knew that I had to get involved, but I had no idea how incredible it would be to actually experience the weekend.  The countless hours that go into fundraising, preparing, and interacting with the families before the event are certainly powerful to witness, but the feeling in the Bryce Jordan Center on THON weekend as a culmination of everyone's hard work, is impossible to describe.

The Four Diamonds--Courage, Wisdom, Honesty, and Strength embody all that THON stands for, and all the qualities that can overcome the terrible disease that cancer is.  In interacting with some of the THON kids, it struck me how much more courage, wisdom, honesty, and strength they had than people three times their age.  Despite the stress and awful circumstances that they must be enduring in their fight against cancer, they are the strongest little warriors I have ever seen.

Robert Louis Stevenson said, "Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others."  In hearing the families speak, none of them ever got caught up on fear, but conveyed messages of hope, recovery, and positivity.  This quote is a perfect representation of why THON, the largest student-run philanthropy, is so successful and strong.  There are so many reasons for these families to be fearful, but their optimism makes us admire their strength, which drives us to take action, which helps families feel more secure, which gives the families hope, which gives the kids courage.  When the kids and families share their courage, there are no boundaries.

This year, THON raised $9,770,332.32 For the Kids.  According to the official THON website, more than $127 million dollars have been raised since pairing with the Four Diamonds.  With over 15,000 student volunteers and more than 400 student organizations who actively fundraise for THON, more than 3,300 families are able to be assisted directly by the Four Diamonds.  Many families never have to see a single bill.

THON weekend made me so proud to be a Penn-Stater.  The sense of community and determination here is unparalleled.  Hopefully, all our efforts this year will have a major impact in helping all the families and the kids to keep fighting so that in the future, we can dance in celebration of a cure.

(One mission, show your diamonds//Every cub a Nittany Lion)

Dwight Schrute's Perfect Valentine's Day

February 14th...the day when we are all inundated with pink hearts, sappy Instagram posts, and endless chocolate.  For many people, it can be an exhausting, annoying, disappointing holiday (the chocolate's not bad, though).

Photo Courtesy of Brent Moore

I miss the elementary school days when Valentine's Day simply meant classroom parties, candy, and collecting Nemo, sports, and dinosaur-themed Valentines from the entire class.

 'Timmy gave me the brontosaurus card, do you think he likes me?!' or 'Ew, Steve's cards all have hearts on them, he's got cooties!!' were common threads of conversation throughout my second grade class--threads that I would love to have back.  These conversations all show the bliss and excitement of childhood that comes with any holiday (especially a holiday that lets kids miss a day of class).

But, as time goes on, something changes.  As we age, we tend to react in one of three distinct ways to Valentine's Day:

1. We await the day with great anticipation and enthusiasm.
2. We feel lonely.
3. We are completely indifferent.

Dwight Schrute, of "The Office" (my all-time favorite TV show), has his own way of coping with Valentine's Day: "My perfect Valentine's Day?  I'm at home, three cell phones in front of me, fielding desperate calls from people who want one of the fifty restaurant reservations I made over 6 months ago."  I suppose Dwight's reaction would fall under the "indifferent category" (cold indifference, yes, but indifference all the same).



The point is, Valentine's Day in this day and age is very flashy and heavily commercialized.  It seems as though this day is more about eating at the fanciest restaurants and buying the most expensive bouquet than actually showing the people closest to you how much you love them.  A friend told me, "Valentine's Day was created by Hallmark to make a killing off of cards and chocolate."  While this is completely untrue (February 14th is the feast day of St. Valentine), it is quite easy to see the logic behind their viewpoint.

Back in elementary school, I would always save my favorite Valentines for my best friends and make sure that they got the best color of Fun Dip attached (probably the most touching gesture that anyone can make).  In these very small, trivial ways, I could communicate to my friends how much I cared for them.

Photo Courtesy of Han N

Can't we translate some of this mindset to our own lives?  It is certainly important to express how much you care for your loved ones every day of the year, but on Valentine's Day, try to do something little that lets them know that they are extra special.  Whether that means remembering to send your Mom a card, or taking your best friend out to breakfast, any small gesture counts.

So, if your Valentine's Day fell short this year, try to make the most of next Valentine's Day; and even if you don't have a "Valentine," remember to be grateful for the people who love and care for you unconditionally every single day of the year.

“Life moves pretty fast. You don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” ~Ferris Bueller

Many people take life for granted.

So often, we wake up feeling drowsy and think, "I don't want to get out of bed, today is going to be rough."  And, as we're going about our day, we complain, "Today is the worst day, everything that could go wrong is going wrong."  When we come home, we say, "Thank goodness that's over."

I caught myself in this kind of mood today.  Sometimes, we may act and think negatively and not even notice it.  And I know that, whenever I am in a bad mood, I often just want to feel sorry for myself and mope because it is easy (and occasionally oddly satisfying).

However, I think that bad moods, negativity, and moping do not solve anything, and they certainly do not allow us to live our lives to the fullest.

Iconic movie character Ferris Bueller says it best: "Life moves pretty fast.  You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."



There are so many things that we miss when we're set on brooding.  Lousy moods bring our eyes down and hunch our shoulders.  For instance, today was a beautiful day on campus with lightly falling snow gently coating the trees and sidewalks, but I didn't even notice until I snapped out of my sulking.

Photo Courtesy of Penn State

Life does move fast, and many times, we just want it to move faster.  Whether we just want this week to be over so we can be done with our exams, or if we can't wait for spring so that the days are lighter and longer, or even if we are wishing for the whole semester to be over because we are stressed, we should try as best as we can to live in the moment and appreciate life for what it is right now.

Of course we are stressed, tired, and occasionally unmotivated--that is just the nature of being a college student.  It is our choice, though, whether or not we want to act stressed, tired and unmotivated, or if we want to live more positively and always look for the good things in our worst days.

When you have an exam, sit in the coziest lounge with your favorite hot beverage and enjoy being comfortable and at ease.  When you need to write a paper, take five minutes to call a friend you haven't spoken to in a while just to catch up.  When you're late for class, make sure to keep your head up so you can still take in the beautiful scenery as you rush down the sidewalk.

Don't be so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that you don't stop to see what's going on every now and again.  The truth is, we don't know how much time we have left on this planet.  It could be a day, or it could be a million, but the only thing that's certain is the present, so make sure to live in it.

“Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards.” ~Vernon Sanders Law

Think about the hardest test you ever took--the test with the most red slashes, dashes, and corrections; the test that gave you an awful, sinking feeling in your stomach; the test that made you feel like you might need to drop out or at least move to Canada.

For me, this test was in eleventh grade, in AP Calculus with Mr. Burkhardt (seeing the combination of these two names on a schedule at the beginning of the year meant certain peril).  Mr. Burkhardt was an extremely intelligent man who loved calculus and who loved teaching.  Yet, he was easily the most difficult teacher in the entire school because of his extremely high standards.

His tests were hard.

And I fought those tests with all my might.  I used to go to Mr. Burkhardt at all hours of the day for help, I worked meticulously on the homework, and I watched an immeasurable number of Khan Academy videos.  Yet, a majority of the time, the lessons always came after the test.

The test that sticks out to me had to do with taking the volume of the cross-sections of 3D objects (some application of integrals that has not crossed my mind in a good two and a half years), and I was absolutely terrified to get my grade back

As soon as the paper landed on my desk, I had a terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach.  I took one glance at all the red marks and my less-than-stellar score, and quickly stuffed the exam in my backpack, out of sight.  At that moment, I swore off math completely, gave up, and wallowed in disappointment.

The next day, I took the test to Mr. Burkhardt for one last look-over, and he helped me to understand every last problem better than I could have ever expected.  Although I was frustrated at myself for not solving the problems correctly in the first place, I gained a greater understanding of the concepts on the test by seeing those humbling red slashes and seeking out help.

In the words of Vernon Sanders Law, "Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards."

Like Mr. Burkhardt, life gives the lesson after the exam.  In life, we must constantly learn by trial and error.

Sometimes, we have days when we get everything wrong.  Our recollection of these days is riddled with red slashes--we say something hurtful to someone we care about, we forget appointments or responsibilities, or we get a mediocre grade on a test.  Our memories from our entire lives have countless red slashes as well.  The overarching, large, memorable mistakes we've made are the ones that we can learn from the most.  When we make a huge mistake and are angry, embarrassed, or ashamed, our negative memories of the event drive us to improve and avoid making the same mistake again.

That is the wonderful thing about mistakes, missteps, and mishaps: we hardly ever make the same mistake twice.  Even though we may feel irked that life doesn't just give us all the answers right away, it is much better to learn from experience and to take the test by simply living our lives, accepting the red marks, and seeking improvement when things don't go our way.

“There is no such thing as a quantum leap. There is only dogged persistence—and in the end you make it look like a quantum leap.” ~James Dyson

New Year's Day is one of my favorite days of the whole year.  I love to wake up, after a satisfying night spent celebrating with friends and loved ones, with a sense of purpose and a feeling of renewal.  Fresh starts are wonderful, and with the new year comes the promise of new beginnings, greater successes, and endless possibilities.  This time of year, we all write our goals and aspirations meticulously on a sheet of paper and adorn it with the title: New Year's Resolutions.

Photo courtesy of gigi_nyc

New Year's Resolutions--a phrase that has a quasi-magical connotation.  With just one sheet of paper, we can erase all our flaws, fix broken relationships, and accomplish nearly impossible tasks.  This brand of list is incredibly satisfying to write, but terribly difficult to execute.  My list looked something like this:

1. Go the gym every day
2. Practice and piano two hours a day each
3. Have thirty minutes of relaxation time every day
4. Go to bed before midnight on weekdays
5. Never say no to a new opportunity

Of course, some of these are downright unrealistic.  If any normal person took every single opportunity offered to them, there would be no time to eat or sleep (which is even a struggle most days for the average college student).  Also, if I were to accomplish goals 1, 2, and 3, goal 4 would become impossible.  

Most times the goals set under the falling, sparkling confetti at midnight on New Year's Eve are too lofty, too broad, and too idealistic.  

But, don't throw out your resolutions as soon as they fall through (usually about the third day of the new year, for me).  Look at the list you made on this New Year's Eve and pick one resolution that you were particularly excited about or motivated to accomplish, no matter how lofty the goal appears to be.  Then, write out mini checkpoints to help you toward attaining your large goal.  For, in the words of James Dyson, "There is no such thing as a quantum leap.  There is only dogged persistence--and in the end you make it look like a quantum leap." 

The major flaw with many goals, and New Year's Resolutions in particular, is the expectation of quick or immediate results and frustration when we can't clearly see some sort of concrete progress.  This is why so many people struggle with losing weight, getting their dream job, or paying off debt.  Our individual flaws sometimes seem so large to us that we don't know where to start to mend them.  And, when we finally get going on a plan, a method, or a set schedule for achieving a large goal, we become aggravated when our hard work does not yield an immediate payoff.  

These quantum leaps that we want so badly in our lives are only achievable through relentless tenacity and the courage to commit a huge sum of our time and effort to making them a reality.  Everyone else will perceive your achievement as a quantum leap, but you will perceive it with pride as the result of your own blood, sweat, and tears.

So, this week, I encourage you to look back at your list of resolutions and re-start the year, using dogged persistence to get exactly what you want out of 2016.  Happy New Year!

"We cannot hold a torch to light another’s path without brightening our own." ~Ben Sweetland

The other day, I was mindlessly scrolling through Instagram, stalking my high school friends' new best friends to make sure I was not being replaced, when I came upon a selfie.  Usually, I refuse to "like" or even look too closely at selfies (I usually associate them with narcissism, even though that's usually not the case).  However, the caption on this specific picture caught my eye.

"Be the reason someone smiles today."

Yes, the caption had absolutely nothing to do with the selfie the girl posted and yes, maybe she was fishing for "likes," but this statement truly speaks volumes.

Imagine if everyone made it their goal to make someone else smile every day.  I tried it this week as a social experiment (also because I desperately needed a pick-me-up to get me through this last week before Thanksgiving), and it was an incredible way to live!  It's not like I'm a terrible person normally, but I don't usually wake up every single day thinking, "Okay, today, my goal is to make someone else's day."

This week, I did, and I don't ever want to stop.

I realized that, in order to make others happy, I had to be happy first.  I had been feeling down, but as soon as I made a commitment to make other people happy, I felt instantly better.

Do you know anyone who is always pessimistic or always has something to complain about?  We all do.  And we all feel exhausted and negative when we spend time around them.  Emotions are contagious.  So, when we're around a person who has a good, positive attitude, their energy spreads and we suddenly feel rejuvenated.

Ben Sweetland said, "We cannot hold a torch to light another's path without brightening our own."

Courtesy of Rachel Melton

If we want to make positive contributions to the world or if we want to simply make another person smile, we have to brighten our own torch.  We need to think and live positively in order to have a hope of changing anything.

This is easier said than done.  It is difficult to be positive and wake up each day in a good mood because life often gets in the way.  Everyone always has rough days, but these days are so much easier to get through with a positive mindset.

Back home, my family has a sign hanging right at the bottom of the stairs that says, "Today is going to be a great day."  It is impossible to miss when you walk out of the door in the morning.  I'll admit it--the sign used to annoy me on sometimes.  Some days, I convinced myself that I wanted to be angry or sad or upset, and I stubbornly thought that no sign could change how I felt.  Occasionally, I wanted to let myself have a bad day.

Now, however, I realize the importance of that sign and appreciate it so much more.  It is so true that if you wake up and think, "Today is going to be a great day," then the chances of you having a great day are infinitely better.  Minds are incredible things and simple thoughts have a tremendous impact on the way that we live each day.

Last week, I placed a new addition in my dorm: a sign hanging on my door, bearing the words that I used to (occasionally) despise,  "Today is going to be a great day."

I'm hoping that this sign will help me to brighten my torch so that I can continue on my mission to make at least one person smile every day--and I highly recommend that you do the same.

**Disclaimer:  This sign is 100% foolproof.  Side effects may include laughter, contagious smiling, and a lift in mood.**

"Aerodynamically, the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know it so it goes on flying anyway." ~Mary Kay Ash

According to my extensive research, bumblebee flight does not in fact violate the laws of physics, but this was news to me (I have about as much scientific knowledge as a third grader).  Nevertheless, bumblebees have tiny wings and comparatively huge bodies and manage to fly long distances with apparent ease, and I find that to be truly amazing.

Let's disregard science for a moment and pretend that aerodynamically, bumblebees are technically incapable of flight.  This allows us to take Mary Kay Ash's quote for what it is--a fantastic metaphor that can apply to many situations in our lives.

We'll call this the Bumblebee Mentality: "Aerodynamically, the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know it so it goes on flying anyway."

The bumblebee is not conscious of its less-than-ideal anatomy for flying.  It just goes on and does what it needs to do to survive and thrive, without worrying that it is not capable of accomplishing its goals (of pollinating flowers and possibly terrorizing small children).

Life is a little bit more complex for us because we know exactly what we shouldn't be able to do.  Humans technically shouldn't be able to live on Mars or cure cancer or end violence and terrorism in the world.  However, there are so many amazing people with the Bumblebee Mentality who are working towards achieving these incredible feats.  They are capable of eliminating thoughts like "this is inconceivable," and "this can never be done."  They pretend to be unaware that some things are nearly impossible and go on to defy the odds, (hopefully) eventually achieving these amazing feats anyway.  

Photo courtesy of Tom Blackwell

Many of us are not working towards curing cancer, per se.  Yet, there are small victories in our own lives that could be won if we embrace the Bumblebee Mentality.  So many times, we shy away from daunting tasks because we don't think we are capable.  The only way to find out whether or not we're capable of something is to try.  After all, the bumblebee doesn't know that it shouldn't technically be able to fly, but it goes on flying each day.

Every NewYear's Eve, I, along with everyone else in the world, make New Year's Resolutions that I never keep.  We have the best intentions of eating healthy, doing one good deed every day, working ahead on homework, and keeping our rooms spotless (these are usually my goals), but something always gets in the way.  I usually pride myself on my self-discipline but for some reason, written goals always end badly for me.  I think this is because writing them down reminds me that I struggle with them and reminds me of my lack of confidence in these areas of my life.

If we just do and don't dream, we will be well on our way to executing the Bumblebee Mentality and will be able to accomplish so much that we never thought possible.  

Theoretically, the college student shouldn't be able to eat, sleep, do homework, socialize, and join service and recreational organizations, but the college student doesn't know so it goes on trying anyway. (A semi-original quote by Yours Truly).

"A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor." ~English Proverb

At this point in the semester, you may be dealing with "Three Projects Due in One Week Virus," "Sleep is for the Weak Plague," or "Fail-phobia."  Expectations are rising, energy levels are falling, and you feel like you're being tossed around as if Penn State Football scored their 31st point and a sea of arms is throwing you up in the air (except, there's no cheering, smiles, or excitement--only a slight sense of queasiness).

This theoretical rough sea, according to an English Proverb, is good for you.  That is often difficult to believe.

Sometimes, when stress overcomes us or threatens to make us weak, we feel that we should just give up.  We may think that to push through a rough time and keep enduring whatever it is that is causing the storm in our lives is pointless and will only cause more turmoil.

However, when our ship starts to rock on rough seas, we must adjust our sails and keep going because that is the only way to escape the storm.  We need to keep looking forward and know that these hard times are just one patch of rough seas in our lives that are ultimately making us more skillful sailors.  Dealing with rough seas makes us well-practiced life experts (that is why calling your grandparents or speaking to wise people every once in a while is helpful--they are well-versed in the troubles you are experiencing and know the best ways to overcome them).

Courtesy of Patrick McDonald

The world today is a frightening
place.  With so much unrest and violence in the most ordinary, unsuspecting places, it is difficult to disregard the turmoil going on in society and live without fear.  But, sailors cannot go into a storm worrying about every possible terrible outcome.  They must put aside their fear and execute the task at hand by navigating through the rough waters.  The circumstances of society today include a great deal of violence, selfishness, and lack of regard for the value of human life.  Unless we are consciously working to enact change, the only thing we can do is to fight negative forces head-on and stand our ground by keeping our personal values close to us.

Imagine what we could accomplish if everyone were able to live without fear in every aspect of our lives.  Without any anxiety or worry about possible impending negative events (no matter how small), we could be able to fully concentrate on all the things that are important to us and lead the most meaningful, impactful lives possible.  We are all capable of this, but oftentimes, worry, anxiety, and the negative circumstances of life hold us back from unleashing our full potential.

Life can certainly be rough.  But without the bumps and waves that accompany each day, we would never learn anything and would never become skilled life captains.  My favorite coach always used to say, "Make a mistake once and it becomes a lesson.  Make a mistake twice and it becomes a choice."  As long as we do not allow our mistakes to become choices, we will be able to continue through whatever life hands to us and come out stronger, becoming truly skillful sailors.

"Life is amazing. And then it's awful....And it's breathtakingly beautiful." ~LR Knost

Last week, I was in a bit of a rut.  It was one of those weeks I felt like nothing I did was good enough and everything that could have possibly went wrong, went wrong.  We all have these weeks (or days, or months, or even years) and when we are living through them, it feels like they'll just stretch on forever.

My mom sent me this quotation at just the right time which really helped me to put everything in perspective (Moms are great, aren't they?):

"Life is amazing.  And then it's awful.  And then it's amazing again.  And in between the amazing and the awful, it's ordinary and mundane and routine.  Breathe in the amazing, hold on through the awful, and relax and exhale during the ordinary.  That's just living heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful, ordinary life.  And it's breathtakingly beautiful."  ~LR Knost

Did you ever think about the fact that our life is basically one really long day with naps of various lengths mixed in?  (Last week was also one of those weeks during which I had a lot of weird, deep thoughts like "Why are we here?", "What is my purpose?", "Would the world be a different place if we were allowed to mix flavors at the creamery?")  All the small events that we live through each day add up to create this large-scale, big picture that, in the end, we define as our life.  It's absolutely insane.

"Life is amazing."  We are so fortunate to be getting a great education at a wonderful school, surrounded by supportive peers and teachers.  We all have people that we love and who love and care for us.  We have so much potential to be whatever we choose to be in the future.  And let' s not forget, we get to experience this glorious fall weather in the most beautiful setting and we have West cookies to cure any of our maladies.

"And then it's awful."  Sometimes, we question the big decisions we make or we feel like we have no direction.  We may lose a loved one.  We could fail or be told that we'll never be successful.  We may feel powerless in our own lives, which is a really scary feeling.

"And in between the amazing and the awful, it's ordinary and mundane and routine."  We wake up, brush our teeth, go to class, do work, study, fall asleep, and repeat the entire cycle again.  Sometimes, we just go through the motions and feel as though we don't have very much to look forward to.

In these situations, it's important to...

"Breathe in the amazing."  Regardless of how the rest of your life is going, when something wonderful happens, soak it in and appreciate the good feelings that you have in that moment.

"Hold on through the awful."  Know that there is always a silver lining, that there is always help when you most need it, and that no matter how bad a time may seem, with positive thinking, it will pass.

"And relax and exhale during the ordinary."  Just enjoy the ride and appreciate the small things in your day that make it special.

And the truth is, "that's just living heartbreaking, soul-healing, amazing, awful, ordinary life."  We all need to recognize that everybody experiences their own hills and valleys.  The only thing we can do is to be aware of our feelings and the feelings of others and help each other to navigate the rough seas in each of our individual lives.

This week, try to reach out to someone who may be having a rough time and encourage them to see all the wonderful things in life that make it so worth living.  As I write this, the breeze is gently blowing, vibrant red leaves are fluttering from the crystal blue sky, and I can't help but to think that, right now, life is good.

"And it's breathtakingly beautiful."

Photo courtesy of PSUpix on flickr.com

"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent." ~Victor Hugo

I have mood swings.  But only when I play music.

One of the things I have learned through studying music is that I have to express things in my playing that I would not normally feel every day.  In one piece that spans less than ten minutes, I may need to express sorrow, joy, pain, passion, excitement, agitation, restlessness, and humor.  I need to convey these emotions to the audience and to accomplish that task, I must transfer these emotions through my fingers and through the air that I put through my instrument by genuinely feeling those things.

The music major track is just as rigorous as any other area of study. We spend up to four hours a day in a practice room, another hour in lessons or chamber groups, and another in ensemble rehearsals.  Then, we take two to three theory classes in addition to the required general education classes.  Most days, I can't even figure when (or if) I can eat.  Add on the immense stress of competition within the music school and the pressure to play well 24/7, mixed with less than healthy amounts of sleep and there, in a nutshell, is the life of a music major.

Yet, there is a reason why all of us decide to put ourselves through this exhausting lifestyle that, yes, has an extremely low employment rate.

That reason is passion.

Passion for the thrill of performance, all mediums of music, and the art of expression.

I am grateful that each day, I am able to be emotionally moved in so many different ways, and experience the chills that occur when every single member of my ensemble is completely in sync, expressing and feeling the exact same emotions that I am.

It's powerful, and it cannot be described.

Thus, Victor Hugo said, "Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent."

Every single piece of music has a deeper meaning than the black and white notes on the page, and each composer has a story or a journey of emotions they need to express in their work.

Do you ever have a powerful experience (whether positive or negative) that you try to describe to a friend, but you can't even find the words to express how you felt?  Do you ever engage in a debate about a topic that you know is extremely important, but you simply cannot determine how to execute your argument?  Do you ever want to tell a family member, friend, or loved one how much they mean to you but there are truly no words to communicate your feelings?

We all do.  There are not enough words in the English language to express the most powerful emotions we have and the intense situations we experience.  And that is why we have music.

Many people dismiss music as pure entertainment.  The reason that music is associated with entertainment is because it tells stories and expresses emotions that we as humans cannot express with words.  It is intriguing and thought-provoking, and beautiful and wonderful in every way.

That is why I decided to dedicate my life to this art form.  I am able to participate in the conversation of words that cannot be expressed.  Weird, right?  But I don't mind at all.

Sidenote:  If you have not yet seen this video, this is a perfect demonstration of the way that music has the power to move people from all over the world to collectively express the inexpressible.

"It is our choices...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." ~Albus Dumbledore

I am an avid Harry Potter fan.  My mom started reading them to me aloud when I was in second grade and I became immediately and irrevocably obsessed.  Since the beginning of my relationship with the Harry Potter series, I have read each book more than ten times (that is not an exaggeration) and the pages are so dog-eared and ripped that I need to read some of the books sitting at a desk so they don't fall apart.  I have taken every Sorting Hat quiz known to man (I am proud to say that I am a Gryffindor) and I know the secret Butterbeer recipe at Starbucks by heart.

All seven Harry Potter books are intricately thought-out, incredibly multi-dimensional, and amazingly realistic, which makes them the perfect read for anyone wishing to escape into a fantasy world for a few hours.  I was actually slightly disappointed that I didn't receive a letter when I was eleven inviting me to hop on Platform 9 3/4 in Kings Cross Station to begin my education at Hogwarts.

I will be forever grateful, however, to J.K. Rowling for giving the world the gift of Harry Potter.  Not only does the series provide a welcome distraction from the real world, the books also introduce dynamic characters that offer insightful advice and words of wisdom that are applicable to any Muggle's (non-wizarding folk's) life.  The words of Professor Albus Dumbledore (Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Order of Merlin, First Class, Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, and Grand Sorcerer--I'm sorry, I couldn't resist) always prove to be extremely wise.  He said in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

Apart from our surface-level talents, everyone also has the ability to be kind, to be hard-working, and to be optimistic.  I believe that people are inherently good.  We all have the abilities inside us to be exemplary people, but we have to consciously choose to use our abilities (like kindness, perseverance, and optimism) to prove our worth.

When Harry donned the Sorting Hat on his first day at Hogwarts to be sorted into a House, he persistently implored, "Not Slytherin, not Slytherin."  He did not want to be associated with the House that produced the darkest Wizards in all of history.  He later finds out that the Hat thought he had all the qualifications and abilities to be in Slytherin, yet it placed him in Gryffindor because his choice defined his true character.

Although I acknowledge that the Harry Potter novels are complete fiction, I am not ashamed to say that many of the most important lessons I have ever learned have come from the dog-eared pages of the most beloved seven books on my shelf.  Because of Albus Dumbledore, I learned that every minuscule choice in life displays a different aspect of our identity.  Whether we notice it or not, our choices automatically expose our true characters to the world.

So,

Choose wisely.

 

"Worrying is stupid. It's like walking around with an umbrella waiting for it to rain." ~Wiz Khalifa

First of all, I would just like to establish that Wiz Khalifa is not someone I would peg as an exemplary role model.  However, he crafted one of my favorite quotes, "Worrying is stupid.  It's like walking around with an umbrella waiting for it to rain," which is thoughtful and full of erudition.  After all, Wiz is short for "Wizdom" (I gather that this is actually a true fact, but maybe I shouldn't believe everything I read on the Internet.)

I'll admit that even on the sunniest of days, I carry an umbrella in my backpack "just in case."  Partly, this has become a habit for me and partly, I feel more secure if I am prepared for every possible situation (and this week, the umbrella has come in handy quite a few times).

"A Sea of Umbrellas," image courtesy of Penn State

But what good does the umbrella do for me on a sunny day?  It adds to the already heavy load on my back, which may pose a problem fifty years from now.  It scrunches notebooks, creates a strange, suspicious looking lump, and just serves as a nuisance.  The same could be said about the act of worrying.  It scrunches positivity, creates a suspicious lump of negative thoughts in the back of my mind, and truly serves as a nuisance.

Worrying is stupid.  That's an undeniable fact.  So often, we think of all the worst-case scenarios when we are trying something new, challenging ourselves, or going about our normal daily routines.

We have all been going through a few taxing weeks of exams, which have certainly added a degree of worry and stress to our lives.  While studying this past week, I noticed that whenever I became even slightly discouraged, I thought, "What if I'm studying the wrong material?", "What if I forget this the minute I get to the test?", "What if I fail?", "What if...?"

Worrying is stupid.

The fact is, we cannot spend time dwelling on the "What If's."  All we are capable of doing is working hard in the moment and letting our work speak for itself when the time comes.  Hopefully, everything will fall into place.  And if it doesn't, we have the knowledge that we did all we could.  We pick ourselves back up again and continue to work hard to meet and surpass our next obstacle in life.

Dalai Lama XIV said, "There are only two days of the year when nothing can be done.  One is called Yesterday and the other is called Tomorrow, so Today is the right day to love, believe, do, and mostly live."

You cannot worry about yesterday's troubles because they cannot be undone.  You cannot worry about tomorrow's potential shortcomings because they cannot be predicted.  The best thing you can do for yourself is to live with your gaze grounded in the present moment, focusing on the task at hand, content with the current happenings in your life.

It's a bit strange to me that only the articulate Wiz Khalifa could teach me this all-important lesson, but I'm grateful that I learned it.  And I think from now on, I'll leave my umbrella behind (unless, of course, a hurricane or monsoon is in the forecast...*cough* Saturday *cough*).

"Today I Forgot My Umbrella" by Leonid Afremov

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart." ~Confucius

Well, I'm about to go to the library, does that mean I should skip and whistle merrily on my way to the place where I will inevitably spend hours poring over books, writing essays, and studying for exams?

Not exactly.

Matthew Cusick Map Art--Course of Empire Mixmaster, courtesy of Digital Bus Stop

Although this quote sounds rather cheesy, Confucius (at least to my knowledge) was not a cheesy man.  His philosophy outlined the importance of moral values, justice, compassion, and sincerity, which are all admirable traits.

I'll admit it, this quote sounds like it would appear in large, looping text on the front of a middle school girl's diary, surrounded by sweeping mountains, blooming flowers, and a beaming sun--a gag-worthy presentation, to say the least.  Yet, when standing alone in simple black text, Confucius's words are some of the most inspiring I have ever read.

He implies that, in order to live a full and satisfying life, one must demonstrate enthusiasm at every opportunity.  By this logic, even my trip to the library merits some version of gusto on my part.  Gusto, in the sense that because I am going, I should direct all my effort and attention to the task at hand by concentrating, being present in the moment, and soaking in and digesting every word that I read.  After all, I decided to go to the library, so why not "go with all my heart" and make the most of it by learning, comprehending, and doing good work?

Since that was a fairly boring example, I'll now relate this to an adventure like cliff diving.  First off, if you partake in this exhilarating, terrifying experience, I respect your bravery.  Never in five million years would you see me at the top of a cliff preparing to jump, unless there were a giant pit of fluffy pillows at the bottom (which there wouldn't be).  Anyway, in a thrilling situation such as cliff diving, Confucius encourages pumping even more zest and wholeheartedness into the act by being aware of the experience and how it affects you.

Photo courtesy of Magnolia Box

For example, at the top of the cliff, you may feel wonder and awe by looking down at the (hopefully) spectacular view and appreciate the wind whipping around you.  Then, as you're about to jump, nerves may kick in, but you notice that they only feed into your adrenaline rush.  As you jump, a feeling of complete freedom (and maybe terror) may overcome you, which will only last a few seconds.  Now it's over and you feel a rush and an overall sense of relief and satisfaction for completing the feat.

The average person likely feels all these things but does not think to notice, process, and appreciate them all.  Confucius encourages us to notice everything we sense and encounter in life in order to heighten our experience here on Earth.  By living with attentiveness, going places with all our hearts becomes much easier.

When faced with an activity that is pleasurable to us, going with all our hearts is already fairly easy.  The best times to keep these words of Confucius in mind, however, are those times when we need to complete a task or go somewhere that makes us anxious, annoyed, or angry.  Every day is an opportunity to infuse your world with energy and avidity.

So, whether you are going to the library or going cliff diving today, make sure that you go with all your heart and bring plenty of zest and enthusiasm to spare.

"I'm discovering that everybody is a closet quotesmith. Just give them a chance." ~Robert Brault

How does one become quotable?

Customarily, a quotable person has some sort of fame or success.  They have written books, made speeches, or starred in movies.  They probably have a sports car, a yacht, and someone who follows them around all day with pen and paper ready to write down all the witty things they say.

Oftentimes, the sayings of the affluent and illustrious seem quite uninspiring.  For instance, the quote of the day presented to me on my phone yesterday was (are you ready for this?):  "I don't know if I have a favorite color." ~Kate Middleton.

This is not a joke.

I cannot tell you how many times I have uttered those exact words (I have finally decided on sunflower yellow as my color of choice but it took many difficult years of self-reflection) and yet, Kate Middleton gets all the glory.

I suppose this says a lot about our society and how we, as a generalization, tend to give a lot of weight to the words of famous people.

Yet finally, Robert Brault, a modern-day freelance writer, recognized that even the common man--the waitress, the business owner, and the college student--is quotable.  He eloquently states, "I'm discovering that everybody is a closet quotesmith.  Just give them a chance."

If I had a dime for every time I heard a member of "the common man" say something witty, charismatic, insightful, or inspiring, I would have enough money to treat everyone at Penn State to a cone at the Creamery.  Okay, I probably wouldn't have that much money, but you get the picture.  The point is that everyone is quotable--you just need to listen.

You can find inspiration anywhere if you practice the art of listening.  Listen intently to your friends, your families, your teachers, and even strangers when they speak.  Listen to yourself.  Take in every word and taste it like it's the best, most refreshing scoop of Paterno Peach you've ever had.  Digest it slowly and search with passion for specks of inspiration, hidden quotes from each unsuspected quotesmith.

The Humans of New York account on all mediums of social media quotes the common man daily and has collected millions of followers.  This past week, the account posted this:

"Choosing what I want to do with my life is like trying to watch a YouTube video. When I'm halfway through the video, I glance over at the sidebar and see they're recommending something else that seems more interesting."

A photo posted by Humans of New York (@humansofny) on Sep 10, 2015 at 6:19pm PDT

This quote by a random, regular New Yorker definitely struck a chord with me and was the most relatable quote that I have read in quite some time.  I find this quote to be especially pertinent because, as college students,  we constantly struggle with the issue of deciding the direction of our future.  Since quotes are meant to inspire, to motivate, to generate emotions, and to spark discussion, there are no better authors of quotes than ordinary people with whom we feel a connection and with whom we can easily relate.  Sometimes, we may read a quote by a hugely famous pop star, an extraordinarily intelligent mathematician, or a tremendously successful businessman and find no inspiration.  We may feel puzzled because we as a society place great value in the words of celebrities and generally think that these people have a great amount of wisdom to offer.  Yet, oftentimes, the most inspiration comes from people just like us who have experienced the same pain, joy, and sorrow that we have experienced throughout our entire lives.

Everybody is a closet quotesmith.  Thank you, Robert Brault!

"Change your thoughts and you can change your world." ~Norman Vincent Peale

I check my “Quote of the Day” App religiously every morning and have not missed a day since I first downloaded it from the iTunes store.  If I ever miss a day, I am convinced that I will surely miss THE quote that will inspire me to single handedly cure cancer, feed the starving, shelter the homeless, and end all wars.  

That was sarcasm, if you missed it, because I in no way believe that quotes have magic powers to drive humankind into action and to de-flaw the entire species.  If this were true, then why not read Ghandi quotes to the cruel, Mother Theresa quotes to the greedy, and Martin Luther King, Jr. quotes to the apathetic?  All of the world’s problems would be instantaneously eradicated!  Of course, this tactic would never be successful.

Regardless, I believe that quotes are powerful, and that every quote gets a distinctive reaction from each person who reads it.  A quote that truly resonates with one person may not mean anything to someone else.  

I just find quotes to be thoroughly interesting.  Introducing a really good quote into your life is like feeding an insomnia cookie to your over-worked mind.  The results are instantaneous, overwhelmingly energizing and ultimately remarkable.

A couple weeks back, my quote app presented me with the following quotation by an anonymous author: “Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen.”  

I have to admit, this quote breathed new life into me.  I went about my life for the next few days with a new sense of positivity, zest, and energy, truly believing that something wonderful was about to happen.  As it turns out, nothing really did.  However, in those few sunshine and smiles, glass half-full days, I realized how a person’s quality of life can greatly improve by a simple change in mindset.  I believe that is what quotes can do for us.  That single quote by an anonymous author, whether you believe it or not, changed my entire outlook on life.

Norman Vincent Peale, a minister, author, public speaker, and expert in positive thinking once said, “Change your thoughts and you change your world.”  Notice, he does not say the world, just your world.  While the aforementioned quote about believing in the future occurrence of wonderful things was wildly successful in changing my thoughts and my world, you may not have the same reaction.  As individuals with different backgrounds and experiences, we all find the thoughts of some speakers to be more intriguing than the thoughts of others.  That is why certain words and the manner in which they are expressed have the capacity to impact our lives in immeasurable ways.

My goal with this blog is to attempt to dig up truly inspiring, non-cliche quotes.  By my last post, I hope that at least one quote resonates with you, changes your thoughts, and allows you to change your world for the better.

After all, you are the one who has to live in it.

Just by changing your thoughts, your world has the potential to turn into a vibrant, pleasant place.