Emotional Intelligence

Philip K. Dick's science fiction novel focuses on both technological progress and the human condition.

It’s always fun to imagine what the world will be like in ten, twenty, fifty years.  Will there be flying cars and talking robots?  Will there be a cure for cancer?  Will energy be free for all?  The possibilities are endless, and Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? presents an ominous, yet interesting take on the future.

Rick manipulates his emotions to start his day at work.

What surprises me the most about Philip K. Dick’s future is that many of the characters express a keen sense of their emotions.  The first chapter of the novel begins with Rick Deckard and his wife, Iran, arguing about the settings of their Penfield mood enhancing machines.  In the heat of the argument, Rick considers “between dialing for a thalamic suppressant (which would abolish his mood of rage) or a thalamic stimulant (which would make him irked enough to win the argument) (Dick 4).  Use of the Penfield, in this way, shows that the characters value emotions in their day-to-day lives.  Knowing the effect of emotions, Rick and his wife manipulate and “channel [their emotions] […] in useful ways” (Course Anthology 336).  Ultimately, Rick dials “for a creative and fresh attitude toward his job” (Dick 7).  He opts for “a businesslike professional attitude” (Dick 4) to start his day at work, recognizing “how [his] […] feelings affect […] [his] […] job performance” (Course Anthology 335).

Androids do not value animals as humans do. Rachael's reference to the owl as "it" rather than "she" reveals her true identity as an android..

While the characters of the novel understand personal emotions, they also understand the emotions of others.  When Rick Deckard tests Rachael Rosen, he carefully tunes in to her emotions, notices “her skeletal tension,” (Dick 58) and “listen[s] attentively” (Course Anthology 336).  Listening to her, Rick thinks, “She keeps calling the owl it.  Not her” (Dick 58).  This subtle fact reveals that Rachael is in fact an android, unaware of the increased importance of animals on Earth.  By listening carefully to Rachael and tuning in to her emotions, Rick finds truth and discovers that the Voigt-Kampff test is still effective in identifying artificial humans.

There are multiple intelligences. John proves that emotional intelligence is just as important as cognitive intelligence.

The differences between emotional intelligence and cognitive intelligence are also interesting in the novel.  Few people recognize emotional awareness as a form of intelligence.  However, John Isidore provides a perfect example of when the Emotional Quotient can be just as important as the Intelligence Quotient. John “had failed to pass the minimum mental faculties test, which made him in popular parlance a chickenhead” (Dick 19).  Nevertheless, when he meets Rachael in his abandoned apartment, he seems to be intelligent and highly perceptive.  Meeting Rachael, he notices, “that her initial fear had diminished [and] […] something else had begun to emerge from her.  Something more strange.  And, he thought, deplorable.  A coldness…it was not what she did or said but what she did not do and say” (Dick 67).  John senses “the felt, but unspoken, emotions” of Rachael (Course Anthology 336) and catches on that something is not quite right.  All in all, despite his failed I.Q. test, John is intelligent in sensing and determining the emotions of not only himself but of others as well.

The experiments of 1964 prove that monkeys can experience emotions.

Although Philip K. Dick reveals the importance of emotions throughout the first few chapters, he fails to recognize that emotions can be significant not only in human lives, but also in animal lives.  One sentence in particular struck out to me: “Empathy, evidently, existed only within the human community, whereas intelligence to some degree could be found throughout every phylum and order including the arachnida” (Dick 30).  I’d have to disagree with this.  After visiting SACA the other day and speaking with a representative of PETA2, I realize now that animals are just as capable of feeling as we are.  In an experiment of 1964, macaque monkeys demonstrated empathy.  They were fed only if they agreed to pull a chain that would send a painful electric shock to another monkey.  Seeing the consequences of their actions through a one-way mirror, the monkeys chose to go hungry rather than hurt their fellow monkeys.  Thus, I believe that empathy can exist far beyond the human community.

This video captures macaque monkey mother-child interaction.  Just as the 1964 experiments show, animals are similar to us in many ways.

Regardless, Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? underscores the importance of emotional intelligence in many ways and has changed my views of what it means to be intelligent.  In his future, awareness of emotions and others’ emotions is a top priority.  Moreover, emotional intelligence is just as important as cognitive intelligence.  Maybe there won’t be flying cars and talking robots in the next ten, twenty, fifty years.  But, it’s nice to think that in the near futur, we will have gained more knowledge of our intelligences—whether it be physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional.  Reading these first few chapters, I know that I have gained some knowledge and, more importantly, a greater awareness of my emotions.

Pictures:

http://findmearobot.com/Pages/Required%20robots/Required%20Robots.html

http://www.images.com/image/107265/male-mature-adult-businessman-with-briefcase-running-while-looking-at-wristwatch/?&results_per_page=1&detail=TRUE&page=24

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/caribbean/wildlife-facts/2003/wildlife-facts-february-2003.shtml

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505075642.htm

http://www.animalliberationfront.com/Saints/ARHallOfFame/BarryHorne/BarryArkangel-Vivisection.htm

Animal Equality

Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass present the ethical dilemma of animal equality.  Lewis Carroll projects his views through the protagonist of his stories, Alice, a young girl who, unlike others, remains respectful and kind toward many of the creatures.  The stories praise Alice’s ability to treat the animals as equals.  During her meetings with many odd characters, including the White Rabbit, the Mouse, and the Cheshire cat, Alice is considerate of their feelings and looks out for their best interests.  Nevertheless, at times, Alice is careless and overlooks the mistreatment of animals in Lewis Carroll’s stories.  In this way, the stories admonish her behavior as well.  Alice represents the good and the bad, and from both, I have learned the importance of appreciating all of the world’s creatures to the best of my ability.

Alice tries not to offend the Mouse.

Many instances in Lewis Carroll’s story exemplify Alice’s kindness and respect toward all creatures.  Swimming in her tears, she meets the Mouse and strikes up conversation.  When she mentions her cat, Dinah, she cries, “’Oh, I beg your pardon!” for she is “afraid that she had hurt the poor animal’s feelings” (Carroll 26).  Alice cares for the Mouse and does not want to offend it in any way.  In many other situations, Alice cares for animals and treats them as her equals.  Seeing the anxious White Rabbit, she immediately looks to help and “very good-naturedly began hunting about for [his gloves and fan]” (Carroll 37).  She is good-natured toward the Cheshire cat as well.  Alice approaches the cat carefully saying “‘Cheschire-Puss’…as she did not at all know whether it would like the name” (Carroll 65).  During the Queen’s trial, Alice sets the animals right again in the jury box for she “saw…in her haste…she had put the Lizard in head downwards…She soon got it out again, and put it right” (Carroll 119).  Alice’s compassion for all of the animals in the stories emphasizes Lewis Carroll’s belief in animal equality.

Alice places the animals back into the jury box.

Alice values the animals and finds comfort in their company.

Alice’s kindness toward the animals parallels the compassion shown in Thomas Hardy’s Jude the Obscure.  As Jude sympathizes with the birds’ desire to feed, the speaker asks, “Why should he frighten them away?  They took upon more and more the aspect of gentle friends and pensioners—the only friends he could claim” (Course Anthology 320).  In the same way, Alice views the animals of her journeys—the Mouse, the White Rabbit, the Cheshire cat, and the Lizard—for they are her only source of comfort in the strange, upside-down worlds of Wonderland and the Looking Glass.  Moreover, the fact that the animals can speak allows Alice to sympathize with them even more.

Poor Bill. Alice kicked him straight out of the chimney.

While Alice treats many of the animals with kindness and respect, at other times, Alice is inconsiderate.  Hiding in the White Rabbit’s house, Alice “gave one sharp kick” and carelessly kicks Bill out of the chimney (Carroll 43).  Alice also overlooks the mistreatment of animals by others.  During the King and Queen of Heart’s trial, officers suppress the guinea-pigs’ cheers by placing them into large canvas bags, head first, and sitting on them.  Alice reacts to this casually saying, “I’m glad I’ve seen that done” (Carroll 115).  At the Mad Hatter’s tea party as well, Alice ignores the abuse of the Dormouse and, upon leaving, watches as the Mad Hatter and March Hare “were trying to put the Dormouse into the teapot” (Carroll 77).  She even participates in the cruel game of croquet with the queen where “balls were live hedgehogs, and the mallets live flamingoes” (Carroll 84).  Ultimately, Alice proves to be selfish at times; she hurts Bill to protect herself from being discovered; she protects her ego by walking away from the tea party and allowing the Dormouse’s abuse; she plays the Queen’s ridiculous game to gain approval.

In the video below, Alice agrees to playing a game of croquet with the Queen.  The poor animals!

Alice is not perfect; she can be careless and selfish at times.  But, I think that her occasional slip-ups are important, for they teach us that she is learning, just as we are, to value the creatures of our world.  Through her mistakes, Lewis Carroll warns us against indulging our carelessness and selfishness.  Through her moments of kindness, Lewis Carroll inspires us to change.  In the end, Lewis Carroll reminds us that all creatures of the world are just as worthy as we are to be treated fairly and compassionately, to live and exist harmoniously.

Pictures:

http://www.cartoonstock.com/vintage/directory/m/mouse.asp

http://www.ebbemunk.dk/alice/alice1.html

Alice Has Potential

Alice begins her adventures by following the White Rabbit.

Alice as a leader?  I’ve never thought of her that way.  I’ve always seen her as a helpless girl thrown into a crazy, strange world.  She doesn’t lead anyone.  Rather, she follows other characters and is easily influenced by her surroundings.  For instance, at the beginning of Alice in Wonderland, Alice follows the rabbit and falls down a rabbit hole.  When she enters the great hall lined with doors and finds the bottle marked “Eat Me,” Alice obeys and drinks the bottle’s contents.  From these scenes, Alice does not appear to be a leader.  Nevertheless, I’ve come to realize that her reactions to various events underscore her potential to be a leader.  Alice appeals to readers for her admirable qualities.  In many situations, she demonstrates grace, compassion, self-awareness, curiosity, and a strong sense of right and wrong, all of which are essential traits of a leader.     

Alice is considerate of the animals and plays along with the rules of the Caucus Race.

Throughout Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, Alice is kind and graceful.  She does not judge the characters that she meets, but treats them as equals.  For example, Alice respects the participants of the Caucus Race and abides by their senseless rules.  Although Alice thinks that their game is absurd, “they all looked so grave that she did not dare to laugh…she simply bowed, and took the thimble, looking as solemn as she could” (Carroll 33).  Alice continues to act in the best interests of others when Tweedledum and Tweedledee prepare for battle.  “Thinking it a good opportunity to make peace,” Alice persuades them to not fight (Carroll 192).  She does not want the boys to squabble over something as petty as a broken rattle and get hurt.  In these ways, Alice values the feelings and well being of others.  Stephen Covey points out “what matters most is how we respond to what we experience in life” (Covey 75).  In the face of madness, Alice exemplifies leader-like qualities and reacts with grace and kindness.

Eager to help the White Rabbit, Alice sets about looking for his belongings.

Moreover, Alice remains a compassionate individual and acts selflessly to help the characters in both stories.  When she finds the frazzled White Rabbit, she immediately sets out help him.  Guessing “in a moment that it was looking for the fan and the pair of white kid-gloves, [Alice] […] very good-naturedly began hunting about for them” (Carroll 37).  Likewise, upon meeting the disheveled White Queen, Alice asks to help the Queen with her shawl and “gently put it right for her” (Carroll 195).  She refuses to be paid for her services, telling the Queen, “I don’t want you to hire me” (Carroll 196).  Alice seems to be a leader in her consideration for others, for as Stephen Covey reveals, “to learn to give and take, to live selflessly, to be sensitive, to be considerate, is our challenge” (Covey 88).

Should people be judged in terms of acts or intentions?

Along her adventures, Alice also faces several ethical dilemmas and attempts to act honestly for the better of all.  After her visit to the strange Duchess’ home, Alice realizes that she must help the Duchess’ baby, thinking “If I don’t take this child away with me…they’re sure to kill it in a day or two.  Wouldn’t it be murder to leave it behind?” (Carroll 63).  Fearing for the baby’s life, Alice takes the child away from the Duchess’ violent handling and the cook’s flying saucepans, plates, and dishes.  Moreover, after Alice hears the story of the Walrus and the Carpenter, she wonders whether the Walrus did wrong for eating the most oysters or if the Carpenter did wrong for wanting to eat the most oysters.  Perhaps more importantly, Alice argues with the Queen of Hearts and prevents unjust punishment for the Knave of Hearts.  Alice’s ability to question the morality of situations highlights her potential as a leader.  Rather than walking aimlessly through Wonderland and the Looking Glass, Alice voices her opinions and takes a stand for her beliefs, for what she believes is truly right.

While Alice is poised, compassionate, and honest, she is also curious and self-aware.  On each journey, Alice questions the characters and explores her surroundings.  She asks about the Mouse’s tale, the gardeners’ rose-painting, the Hatter’s riddles, and the Mock Turtle’s story.  She investigates the White Rabbit’s house, the Duchess’ home, the wood with no names, and the garden of live flowers.  When Alice first enters the Looking Glass, she finds a book and immediately turns “over the leaves to find some part that she could read, ‘—for it’s all in some language I don’t know’…[and] puzzled over this for some time” (Carroll 148).  In all of Wonderland’s and the Looking Glass’ strangeness, Alice keeps an open mind and seeks to learn more.  More importantly, through her curiosity, Alice becomes more aware of her identity, reminding herself at the end of the wood, “I know my name now…Alice—Alice—I won’t forget it again” (Carroll 178).  Alice is a leader in this way, always constantly seeking to gain greater knowledge and insight.

Reading Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, I have come to realize Alice’s potential to be a leader.  At the start, Alice follows others and is easily influenced by her surroundings.  She does not have many followers.  However, as the stories progress, Alice matures and becomes more and more independent.  In the end, her grace, compassion, self-awareness, curiosity, and strong sense of right and wrong strengthen and help her rightfully earn her crown.  In a way, Alice inspires me.  If, in the face of Wonderland’s and the Looking Glass’ madness, Alice can be a leader, surely I, in the face of college and the unknown, can be a leader just as well.

Alice becomes Queen!

Pictures:

http://www.layoutsparks.com/myspace-layouts/alice-in-wonderland_0

http://rashbre2.blogspot.com/2008/01/caucus-race.html

http://snowismyprozac.blogspot.com/2009/02/collection-of-things-that-currently.html

http://www.alice-in-wonderland.net/pictures/walrus-carpenter-pictures.html

My Verse

O Me! O Life!

By Walt Whitman

O Me! O life!…of the questions of these recurring;

Of the endless trains of the faithless—of cities fill’d with the foolish;

Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)

Of eyes that vainly crave the light—of the objects mean—of the struggle ever renew’d;

Of the poor results of all—of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me;

Of the empty and useless years of the rest—with the rest me intertwined;

The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life?

 

Answer.

 

That you are here—that life exists, and identity;

That the powerful play goes on, and you will contribute a verse.[1]

 

No poem has had more influence on me than Walt Whitman’s “O Me!  O Life!”  I will never forget that high school day, when my English teacher threw her arms in the air and said, with a grin, that she had the answer to all of our existential worries.  Of course, my class and I were skeptical; discovering the meaning of life had to be a lifelong process.  Nevertheless, after reading Walt Whitman’s words, I suddenly gained a new perspective.  After all, life is ephemeral; I will die eventually, and the world will continue to exist without me.  Without contributing to the world, I will lead a meaningless existence.  So then, what will my contribution to the world be?  How will I “transform[…] lives for the better of society”?[2] The answers to these questions rely heavily on my dreams and passions.

In search for my true dreams and passions, those that will benefit and inspire others, I “‘play back the tape’ of [my] […] recent life,”[3] and several events “arouse[…] the most intense emotion in me.”[4] While volunteering with organizations such as the Mickey Leland Foundation and Interact, I feel love and compassion for those in need.  After watching doctors like those at Texas Children’s Hospital save lives while making sick children smile, I feel admiration and hope.  These moments inspire me and elucidate two of my greatest passions—to help others and explore the world of medicine.

My desire to aid others stems from the first day that I volunteered with the Mickey Leland Foundation.  I was twelve, and my sister persuaded me to help her look after a group of kids at a carnival.  I remember feeling nervous at the start, for I didn’t know how I was going to entertain all of the children.  One girl, named Miracle, was especially shy and didn’t seem to enjoy the carnival.  I tried spending more time with her, talking to her and gaining her trust.  “The moon bounce could be fun!” I would exclaim.  Apprehensively, she climbed up the inflatable castle with me.  I’d jump higher and higher to make her laugh, and, in that moment, nothing made me happier than to see her laugh.  As we painted our faces, played horseshoes, won prizes, and ate cotton candy, I began to realize my passion for helping others; I enjoyed seeing Miracle open up and have fun.  I will never forget her bright smile or her playful “Meow!” as she embraced the cat whiskers and nose that were painted onto her face.

After the carnival ended, my sister revealed to me that the children, including Miracle, were foster children.  Abused or neglected by their parents, they temporarily lived under the care of the Mickey Leland Foundation while waiting for new homes.  For the first time, I realized that there were children who lacked the love, support, and safety that I thrived on at home.  While this awareness strengthened my appreciation for all that I had in my life, I was disheartened.  Miracle, along with the other children from that day, deserved just as much love and care as I did.

Other volunteer experiences in my life have exposed the world’s harsh realities to me.  I continued to take part in various roles of service throughout my adolescence.  At the Ronald McDonald House, I visited with children suffering from cancer and organized activities for them.  Fueled by an endless supply of cookies and juice, the children of Ronald McDonald House and I played board games, made Valentine’s Day cards, watched movies, and decorated Christmas ornaments.  Through the Catholic Charities Organization, I also spent time with immigrant children who were separated from their parents.  My friends and I would organize outdoor activities for the kids at Catholic Charities, providing slip-n-slides, soccer balls, hula-hoops, electric razors, and water balloons.  Spending time with the children of the Ronald McDonald House and Catholic Charities allowed me not only to brighten the lives of children and to satisfy my passion to help those in need, but to let loose and have fun like only a kid could.

More importantly, the Ronald McDonald House and Catholic Charities further opened my eyes to the injustices of the world.  Regardless of their age and innocence, children suffer from fatal diseases and endure hardships. Despite their circumstances, many of these children are able to maintain a positive outlook on life.  While I volunteered at Mickey Leland, Ronald McDonald, and Catholic Charities to help children, I found myself learning and growing from the children’s undauntable love of life.  I have come to admire their strength and optimism in the face of great adversity.

Looking back on the events in my life, I have realized that my compassion extends beyond children; I feel rewarded in helping people of all ages.  Every month during high school, I volunteered at the Bayou Manor nursing home.  These visits typically included several games of bingo.  Paired with a resident of the nursing home, I would repeat bingo numbers that were called out and retrieve prizes.  Often, I felt useless, for my visits were short with the residents of the nursing home, and it seemed as though I was never able to form lasting relationships.  I never felt that I was making a difference, until one day I spoke to one resident, Mrs. Kingsley.

In between, bingo numbers being called, she would ask me about my life—what school I went to, how many siblings I had, and what I hoped to become.  Although I would respond, she acknowledged my answers with only a slight nod and smile.  Mrs. Kingsley never heard my answers, for she later revealed to me that she was hard of hearing.  She confessed the loneliness she often felt being partially deaf and how she consequently looked forward to bingo days with the volunteers.  I came to realize that Mrs. Kingsley, along with many of the other residents, truly appreciated the volunteers at Bayou Manor.  Her gratitude made me realize the importance of my efforts and that just being there was enough to make a difference.

My passion for helping others strongly influences my life and is central in my motivation to become a doctor.  Just as my volunteer experience has shaped my passion for helping those in need, my interaction with doctors has founded an interest in medicine.  Doctors have helped me countless times in my life.  They provided comfort and hope when I was ill with pneumonia, when I had to get stitches, when I broke my foot, and when my mother needed surgery.  Because of these moments, I aspire to provide the same hope and sense of security for others in need as well.

I remember first realizing my desire to become a doctor at a young age.  I was four years old when my parents took me to Texas Children’s Hospital.  Sick with pneumonia, I entered the hospital’s automatic doors feeling afraid and confused.  Yet somehow, despite all of the tubes, needles, and beeping machines, I felt safe.  The doctors were constantly there to make me feel comfortable.  My doctor would smile and greet me with a joke every time he would come to check on me.  Even though I was just a child, my doctor would provide his “full, undivided attention,” earning my trust and demonstrating the power of listening.[5] Because of my doctor, I was able not only to cope with and ultimately overcome my pneumonia, but also to develop a trust and appreciation for doctors and medicine.

Since then, countless other experiences have strengthened that respect.  Caring doctors stitched me up when I fell from the jungle gym in the park.  They gave me comfort and hope when I had to undergo surgery for my foot.  They gave my mother a second chance at a healthy life by removing her damaged kidney.  I hope one day to emulate the doctors of my life and provide the same safety and comfort for others.

Helping others and medicine are the two greatest passions of my life.  As a physician, I hope to satisfy the “impulse of the heart as it reaches out to those who suffer, seeking to ease their pain without concern for cost.”[6] With Walt Whitman’s “O Me! O Life!” and my passions in mind, I can begin my journey of finding “the truth[s] [that] shall make […] [me] free:”[7] I will make my mark on the world by pursuing my dreams and providing comfort for others through medicine.  I have found my “bliss” and I am not “afraid to follow it.”[8] This is my truth.  This is how I will make a difference and make my mark on the world.  This is my “verse,” Walt, and I promise to sing it out at the top of my lungs.

 

WORD COUNT WITH QUOTES: 1589

WORD COUNT W/OUT QUOTES: 1403

Pictures:

Jabbar, Natalie, “Out of Hopeful Green Stuff Woven,” Live in Layers, http://nataliejabbar.wordpress.com/2009/04/22/out-of-hopeful-green-stuff-woven/.

Breitbart, Andrew, “Stage Right,” Big Hollywood, http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/author/sright/.

NSW Department of Community Services, “Overview,” http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/DOCSwr/_assets/annual_report07/overview1.htm.

In Your Voice, “Adopt-a-Dog’s 22^nd Annual Dog Show Festival,”

http://loudnews.wordpress.com/2009/10/06/adopt-a-dog’s-22nd-annual-dog-show-festival/

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis, “Contact RMHS Memphis,” http://www.rmhmemphis.org/Contact.aspx.

Devlin, Kate, “Bingo Can Help Stave Off Disability in Old Age,” Telegraph, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5601660/Bingo-can-help-stave-off-disability-in-old-age.html.

American Red Cross, “Service Action Corps,” http://www.berks.redcross.org/index.php?pr=Service_Action_Corps.

LWV, “Limited Progress on Health Care,” http://www.lwvor.org/documents/LR5_2-29-08.htm.

Cicarelli, Stephanie, “Midwest Conference Coverage Begins Today!” Vox Daily, http://blogs.voices.com/voxdaily/conferences/.

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXukV4vM5jo&feature=player_embedded

---

[1] Poets.org, “O Me! O Life!” http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/20247.

[2] Jerome Bump, “Our Goals,” in Composition and Reading in World Literature, ed. Professor Bump (Austin: Jenn’s Copy & Binding, 2009), 17.

[3] Robert J. Lee, “Discovering the Leader in You A Guide To Realizing Your Personal Leadership Potential,” in Composition and Reading in World Literature, ed. Professor Bump (Austin: Jenn’s Copy & Binding, 2009), 258.

[4] Bump 248

[5] Bump 22

[6] Dass, Ram, and Paul Gorman, “How Can I Help?” in Composition and Reading in World Literature, ed. Professor Bump (Austin: Jenn’s Copy & Binding, 2009), 272.

[7] Bump 180

[8] Bump 248

Strength of Mind

“I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor”

Henry David Thoreau (Covey 66).

My sisters play a major role in my life. They are my role models, my leaders.

My sisters are the two greatest leaders of my life.  They are my role models, and I always look to them for advice.  Growing up, I have admired their compassion, integrity, and wisdom.  More importantly, I have strived to emulate their strength of mind.  In almost everything they do, my sisters exemplify optimism and tell me “to not sweat the small stuff.”  They also demonstrate self-awareness, reminding me to pursue my own passions.  Their strength of mind never ceases to amaze me.  Their strength of mind inspires me to change.

A defining characteristic of my sisters is their relentless positive outlook on life.  Regardless of the news—that I made a bad grade or lost my wallet—my sisters could still somehow cheer me up.  “It’s just one grade, Helen.  You can make up for it on the next test.”  “Just cancel your credit cards, and everything will be fine,” they would tell me.  Because of my sisters, I have learned that “The way we see the problem is the problem” (Covey 40).  If I dwelled on every problem in my life as “the problem,” I wouldn’t be a very “effective” individual.  I wouldn’t see that making my bad grade was a way to motivate me to study harder.  I wouldn’t see that losing my wallet was a way of telling me to be less forgetful.  My sisters’ optimism has shown me that “Between stimulus and response is our greatest power—the freedom to choose” (Covey 70).  Instead of being upset and mulling over the problems of my life, my sisters helped me make the best of my circumstances.

My sisters have demonstrated the importance of optimism and self-awareness.

In addition to their positive thinking, my sisters have demonstrated the importance of self-awareness.  My sisters are unwavering when it comes to their passions and work hard to achieve their goals.  They are confident about their values and priorities.  Stephen R. Covey discusses the need for self-awareness saying, “At the core, there is one simple, overarching reason why so many people remain unsatisfied in their work and why most organizations fail to draw out the greatest talent, ingenuity and creativity of their people and never become truly great, enduring organizations.  It stems from an incomplete paradigm of who we are—our fundamental view of human nature” (Course Anthology 230).  In light of this, I refuse to lose sight of who I am, what I believe in, and what I strive for.  My mission statement will help me in this way and solidify what matters the most to me.

As leaders, my sisters’ ability to think positively and to prioritize is essential.  I hope one day to obtain these traits, my sisters’ optimism and self-awareness, and to reach my fullest potential.  Just like my sisters, I hope to become a leader, inspiring and changing the lives of others.

____________________________________________

The video below is an episode of 20/20 “What Makes People Happy?” that I saw a few years ago.  My sisters’ optimism relates to this video.  Moreover, Stephen R. Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and his views on the strength of the mind reminds me of this episode.

Strength of Mind (cont’d)

Do You Have a Happy Brain?

Shared via AddThis

Powwow

Ok, I have to admit, the first thing that caught my eye while reading about the Powwow were the words “welcome/celebration dinner.”  I like food, and from reading the event’s description, I imagined not just regular food, but NATIVE AMERICAN FOOD.  I had never had Native American food!  So, after trekking through the rain on that Saturday afternoon, getting lost (for some reason, I thought the Powwow was at the SSB), and spotting a really neat crane along San Jacinto Boulevard, I finally arrived at the UT Rec Center.

The Native Americans wore such interesting and beautiful clothing. Each tribe had their unique style.

I cannot tell you how excited I was to hear the loud, beating drums of the Powwow.  Although I missed the Gourd Dance, I came just in time for the Grand Entry!  I watched as Native Americans from all over the country, representing their tribes, danced to the rhythm of the drums.  Each tribe had a distinctive style of dress.  Some wore brightly colored fabrics with detailed fringe.  Some wore less ornate outfits, made of leather.  One Native American covered himself in wolf skin and carried a small wolf’s head.  Each Native American also wore intricate and beautiful headdresses made of long, elegant feathers.

The highlight of my trip was being able to participate in the dances.  With Lauren, Alice, and other Powwow attendees, I tried my best to follow the beat of the drums, to shuffle my feet, to let my emotions and my body loose, just as the Native Americans did.  I even competed in the Potato Dance Contest!

Lauren and I tried our best during the Potato Dance Competition! We’re determined to win next year!

Alice did a wonderful job with our Fallen Potato!

Going to the Powwow was quite an experience.  I was so grateful to be able to see such an event, to experience the Native American culture in some small way.  Ever since I was a young girl, obsessed with Disney’s Pocahontas, I have been fascinated by the Native American culture.  Now, I have been able to experience it firsthand.  Although I didn’t get my Native American food (they served pizza for lunch), I had an amazing time seeing the color and variety of clothes, hearing the rhythmic drums and chants, and dancing with that potato.

Lauren, Alice, Jay, and I presenting our Fallen Potato.

Pictures and Song:

Thank you, Professor Bump and Jay for the awesome pictures!

Apache Indian Drums–Native American Drums

Road Maps

Your brother reminds me of my sisters and how they have influenced my life.

Jose—I LOVE LORD OF THE RINGS. It’s always on TNT, and I swear, I think I have seen all three (in a row) at least three times. Anyways, I will never, ever forget your presentation, especially seeing you and Professor Bump laughing with the kookaburra! Your work at the Houston Zoo is fascinating and inspiring. I hope one day I too can volunteer at the Houston Zoo and forge relationships “just as deep and rewarding” as you did. Another part of your movie really resonated with me. Just like you, my older siblings have played a major role in shaping my life. I cannot imagine my life without them, for they have taught me so much. I look to my older sisters for guidance, and ultimately, they are my role models. Did your brother play West U. soccer? I definitely saw a jersey! Woot, go West. U soccer!

Your parents seem wonderful! I love the picture of your dad playing the guitar with you! I wish my dad showed me how to play guitar!

Jade—At a young age, my parents immigrated to the United States as well. They knew very little English and basically had to start new lives. In this way, I can identify with your appreciation for your parents’ hard work and ability to provide you with unwavering comfort and support. I too am forever grateful for my parents’ sacrifices and hardship, for all that they have given me!

Your trip to the Philippines really interested me. I have always wanted to explore more of my Vietnamese culture and visit Vietnam.

Maysie—First reaction: LOVE THE MUSIC! Your video is really entertaining to watch, and your words are so poetic and inspiring! Not only are your words colored effectively, as Alex noted, they are also placed perfectly! I especially liked your slide on the “power of positivity.” I also thought that your trip to the Philippines was interesting. In the same way, I have felt “disconnected and detached” from my roots. I have always wanted to visit Vietnam and explore more of my Vietnamese culture.

The stories about your pets were so touching and moving! They made me really miss my dog, Macy.

Callie—I think that it’s really cool that you went to the same school for 14 years. Second Baptist seems like a great place to make strong, lasting friendships. In my 18 years, I have gone to 4 different schools, each with a very different group of classmates. I also really liked the quotation by Marjorie Spiegel, “The animals of the world exist for their own reasons. They were not made any more than black people were made for white, or women created for men.” This quotation reveals truth and struck a chord within me. Animals, humans, blacks, whites, men, and women—we are all creatures living on this Earth and no one is superior to another.

Cheetahs are such beautiful, exotic animals. I cannot believe that you were able to see them in person!

Emily—Seeing your video made me want to travel even more! I especially liked your pictures of Colorado because they reminded me of the times when I have gone camping. Yet, my camping experiences are nothing at all compared to yours! Those mountains are beautiful! I also wish I could have gone on that Cheetah Walk with you. How close were you to the cheetahs? Also, I love your version of Clair de Lune! ☺ I used to play piano too when I was younger, and I regret that I quit later in middle school. I admire your passion for music and ability to play so beautifully!