Well, my time as the StepUP student worker has come to an end. I received an offer for a new job, which I accepted. I am excited to start the new position, which is more related to my intended major. On the other hand, I’ve been working here in the office since June, and it is a big transition.
I’ve appreciated how much this position has supported my creativity; it’s the hardest part about letting this job go. After writing a few times for the StepUP newspage, someone suggested that I start writing for the Augsburg newspaper, the Echo. I’m grateful for that suggestion, because I’ve truly enjoyed adding my input to the school newspaper.
I’ve also sincerely appreciated everyone who has supported and offered encouragement for my articles and blogs. It may not seem like much, but when I get discouraged I bring those kind words to my mind and try to think about your thoughts more than my own.
In parting, I’d like to share some final thoughts; some ideas I’ve reflected on during my time working here. Remember to always be compassionate. Be compassionate to everyone, especially the people that are hardest to be compassionate towards. In my experience, people that hurt others are the pe
ople who are actually the most hurt, and they need compassion the most.
When you see an opportunity to help someone, no matter how small the opportunity, help them. Little acts of kindness can mean more than you think. I can think of an example that happened just recently. I was walking out of the grocery store and one of my grocery bags broke and everything fell on the ground. An elderly man walked to his car, emptied one of his bags, and brought it to me. It almost brought me to tears. It gave me hope that amongst all the hate and hurt in this world, there is still so much love. One of my lifelines has been the kindness that has been offered to me by strangers.
Share your thoughts, ideas, hopes, and experiences with people. If you are genuine in this, people will learn from you. You will also learn from people during these conversations. All we really have is each other, and everyone has something new to offer. Listen with attentive ears, and ask questions. Others’ opinions are just as important as your own. Listen and learn as much as you can in this lifetime.
Be humble. Do what you do to help others learn and grow, not to boast. The universe knows the good you are doing, and will send positivity accordingly. The more you devote your actions to others, the brighter your life may be. Always remember what the activist and leader of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., had to say, in the midst of desegregation, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
-Connie K.