My Values
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My Gateway professor offered us an interesting prompt, “What are your top three values at this time in your life? Why do you believe that each of those values are important to you?” This proved very difficult to answer because there are so many values. Below is a brief explanation to my top three.
Before exploring one’s own values, I believe it’s necessary to discuss what a value truly is. The Oxford Dictionary defines value as follows, “the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something”. While this is a sufficient definition, values to me delve much deeper. They’re a map to human behavior. It explains our thought process and helps with decision making. Mahatma Ghandi summarizes the system of values as, “Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, your values become your destiny.” One core value I strive for is that of integrity. The timeless adage “honesty is the best policy” is one near and dear to my heart. A person with integrity is one that receives respect and trust. It speaks to a dependable character. So many other values stem from integrity. Practicing it creates a much more wholesome individual. Another value that guides me is that of youthfulness. I believe everyone ages and must grow up, but there’s something to be said to the wonder of a child. I teach gymnastics to 2-7 year old kids. Every day I smile at their fearlessness and endless curiosity. My students are filled with questions and an attitude that’s ready to try anything, even if they just fell or stumbled earlier. Carrying that disposition through life allows for so much self-discovery and continued growth. Life is constantly changing and so should we—always learning and excited just like a child. I believe at the heart of my values is charity. We, as humans, were all born into the same often difficult world. I feel a responsibility to help those who are having difficulty. I find true happiness often stems from giving happiness to others. For example, I’ve always loved service trips. One particular one involved working a summer camp for immigrant families in South Texas. It was heartbreaking to leave. I came to give to a community in need, but I left feeling as if I received so much more. Helping others essentially helps ourselves. Values are constantly growing and adapting. I hope to continue my own self-discovery and look forward to my own values evolving. |
My Passion
"When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor; it's to enjoy each step along the way." -Wayne Dyer
T. Armstrong once said, “Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.” I started to dance when I was only six years old. While I was not the most talented ballerina, dance ignited an aspect of my personality not formerly known. Growing up, I was shy and soft spoken. However, as I continued my dance lessons I became much more comfortable and confident with myself. As my talent and love for dance grew, so did my sense of purpose and social skills. When I was in the 5th grade, I discovered theatre. My dance teacher had mentioned our school’s musical to one of our classes, and I decided to audition. I had my first role as the evil stepsister Drizella in Cinderella. I was then hooked and auditioned for every show after.
My love for performing arts carried into high school. I was ecstatic to discover that my school, Mother of Mercy, had a special role in their shows called select dancer. This was a group of experienced girls who would strictly dance in the various performances. I was chosen to be a select dancer for all four of my years at Mercy. I was also given the opportunity to help shape Mercy’s dance team, a new addition to the school my Freshman year. My Senior year, I served as captain on the team. I also was exposed to a wider variety of dance, including modern, hip hop, and my favorite, lyrical. I accredit so much of my accomplishments and personality to my performing arts experiences. I can apply fake eyelashes and put my hair in a bun in mere seconds, but I can also lead a group of people to work as a team as well as feel comfortable in front of crowds numbering over a thousand. I’ve been active in the performing arts for twelve years. My passion for it is continually growing. One performance I participated in was Dead Man Walking, a true story that followed a nun who interacted with death row inmates. It was a raw, real, and emotional show. To add beauty to the show without removing any of the gravity of the situation depicted, my director added music and dance. As a select dancer in this production, I experienced this beauty. It was absolutely powerful. The performing arts are significant to me because of this wonder and reality it can portray. Another draw the performing arts has is its diversity. I went to a Choreographer’s Showcase dance recital. There was an apocalyptical piece, one where the music vibrated through your chest and the dancers’ movements were filled with power. Right after was a lighthearted piece where the dancers moved with their various technological devices to a techno song. Both evoked emotions but were so different. I appreciated the wide spread that the arts have to offer. It’s constantly changing while maintaining the classics. While performing arts may not be a future career for me, it has shaped me into who I am today. I want to remain as engaged as possible. Cincinnati is a thriving place for performing arts. The Aronoff hosts a multitude of Broadway musicals. The Cincinnati ballet has stunning dancers. At my own university, CCM offers a wide variety of shows put on by my very own bearcats. Though performing arts may have shifted to more of a hobby as I explore my other talents, it will certainly remain a passion. Instead of taking the stage myself, I will be an avid audience member. However, I can take the tools and skills performing arts have given me and apply them to my current activities. Due to my dance team, I’m comfortable in a leadership position and hope to continue this. I’ve also developed public speaking skills and communication which will help as I continue my undergrad experience. I’m grateful for all the hours I’ve spent in my rehearsal studio listening to show tunes or in front of a mirror, sweating as we run our competition piece for the fifteenth time. I’m excited to see where this passion leads me in |