what is the measure of success? Part 1
773 words by njoliver
So, to blog exactly what I have done to improve the world is my mission. Honestly, I’m quite proud of my accomplishments even though they are most likely a bit more modest than others. I have accomplished making a lasting friendship with a person who came to Xavier vulnerable and unknown. I was able to open up my heart and let her know that there is someone who can relate to her problems and concerns. I feel that that helps make the difference when you’re new somewhere. I remembered how it felt to have my mentor be there to guild and befriend me when I was a freshman and that is why I aspired to do the same for Leslee. It is my sincerest of hopes that my being a mentor to her this semester was as helpful and beneficial to her as it was to me. I like to look back on our friendship this semester and remember one of my favorite poems by Ralph Waldo Emerson, who said,
“To laugh often and much;
to win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better,
whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;
to know even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.”
It is important to me to know that at least on person has breathed easier because I was there to help and I know that is the case with her. I also feel this same sentiment with the help that I have been able to lend those in need to tutoring. I don’t claim to be the smartest but I know that I have the talent of teaching, so I try whenever I can to share the gift that God has given. I hope that in my aspirations to help others this semester I have indeed been successful in your eyes because it appears to be that way to me. Lastly, my efforts to re-establish NOBCChe have been a great success and we have much in store. The official paper work goes to be turned in when the semester restarts because as you can tell there is little time left in the present semester. I’m really proud of the progress that I have been able to make on this effort. It has really been a trying semester so to know that we have been able to do something good makes the events of the semester seem all the more worth it. NOBCChe will have to go through a series of approvals or appeals to get the final judgment. We’re hoping that the reputation of the organization and its goal, and vision to uplift through science will prove to positively influence the committee when they decide to make a judgment on the status of the organization. So, to recap I have mentored, tutored and facilitated the possible re-establishment of an influential organization on Xavier campus.
You say in your manifesto that you feel that empowering students with the ability to be critical thinkers is in the end the best use of your life. So, I say to you that using the contributions that I can make as myself, whether it be to lend an ear, shed light on something that seems dark to someone else, or create a vehicle for other to uplift as well is one of the best uses of my life. I have really been hard on my self this semester to do well in everything that I set my mind to and sometimes not everything goes as planned. Yet, at the end of this semester I truly feel that I have done something well this semester, and that something is the progress that I have been able to make on this project. It is my hope that I get a feeling this rewarding in all other things I set my mind to in the future. Noble piece prize winner, Wangari Muta Maathai, 2004, said in an article I read on her that, “Quite often happiness, real happiness, for us human beings comes when we go beyond ourselves and we serve others. Real unhappiness quite often is found in people who are too preoccupied with themselves.” I truly value her words and believe in that wholeheartedly. I may not have accomplished much but someone somewhere may think that I have accomplished the world.