Why Do I Relay?

I am all about raising awareness and promotion philanthropy, it's just for some...causes hit a little bit closer to home than others. A little over a year ago, my mother passed away due to Ovarian Cancer, this is actually the main reason I started blogging...as a healthy coping mechanism. Ovarian Cancer, is known as the "silent but deadly" cancer. There is no way to detect this early - but LADIES, this is women keeping up with your yearly checks is very important and necessary. There are a few other preventative steps you can take - but it is so completely important to have an open and communicative relationship with your doctor.

The main reason I'm blogging, isn't to get all educational on you, but it's to help promote Relay for Life. On 4/26, Frostburg will be hosting it's annual Relay for Life...and I am raising money in honor of my mom. It's been very hard for me ever since her death to be an activist for cancer awareness...but I feel like I'm ready to begin that process. A lot of it has to do with the fact of having a support system around me, both at work and personally...because before the start of this year - I'm not sure if I would have felt ready.

If you are interested in donating to support Relay for Life please click the following link below. My goal is 1,000 dollars - but everyone knows I'd do anything for my mom. :)

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/donnafynes

Snow Day Reflection

Happy Snow Day Frostburg! Living here is very similar to living in a snow globe. It is ALWAYS snowing but it never sticks. Until today when we were paid a visit from Snow Storm Saturn (PS - thanks for the day off).

Anyway, on this lovely snow day. I have been thinking a lot about how humans perceive conversations different than they really happen. Why do our brains go one way when someone says something to us, when reality was in a completely different direction? This has been on my mind a lot because shocker, we all know I can be very sensitive at times. I STILL cry at American Idol auditions, who is not surprised?! ;). I know I am not the only one out there, but I am just  curious why we take things to heart so much, when sometimes they are just meant to be a joke or a meaningless comment that has nothing to do with you at all. Why are we programmed to analyze petty, little things that only create more frustration and tears...when they weren't meant to create anything at all.  If anyone has an answer to this, I'd love to hear it...because it has been a lifelong struggle for me. I hope by me posting this you can relate and think about your own challenges and maybe you are facing a similar situation(s) too.

This also helps me think about how as Higher Ed professionals, we interact with students. What is a good balance between being a counselor and being direct? Is it all about style or is there a right way to do things? Are we doing a disservice by preaching it's not what you say it's how you say it, or should we focus more on being direct and to the point. All thoughts I do hope you have as you play an intricate role in the college experience...but just something I have been thinking about personally and professionally.

Happy Snow Day...and on another note, Dante is potty trained:

Getting Inspired.

I'm very fortunate enough to be in a relationship with someone who is also very passionate about Higher Education and student development. We've had many conversations over the last couple of days about how important student development theory is ...and how sometimes higher ed professionals (myself included) forget about it in the workplace. The endless to do lists, planning and meetings can often get in the way of why we really love what we do...to impact students. I have been fortunate and blessed with an amazing group of students this year who have taught me a lot about myself both personally and professionally. They have challenged me to think about planning events in different ways and have helped for me to understand current student culture. After a lot of reflection...I have realized that most of my learning ...has come through them.

I also have been thinking a lot about my SHIP days and how much my graduate program impacted my career path. I will always be a counselor at heart...and I think and hope that shows through my daily work. I never want to lose sight of that...and hope that other professionals across the country remember that. You never know how a conversation with a student can impact their life, choices, leadership on campus, and how they view their college experience. I believe that students should feel that administrators appreciate them...and love their jobs because of students!

The point of this post serves a few purposes for me. One - I need to blog more and get this thing up and running again. Two - I hope that my experiences and thoughts as a professional can inspire others. Three - It's so important to share your experiences and life. So if you've never read my posts...scroll back, learn about me ...and get inspired :)