A letter to December

Dear December,

Where are you? Today is the 28^th, I have hardly seen or felt your presence all month, and I only have three more days with you. You’re acting a lot like March really, except for those few sprinkles of snow, if you could call them that. A snow-less Christmas has come and gone and the sun is shining again, melting whatever dusting had rested on the ground. Nonetheless you are closing out an interesting year full of adventures, smiles, tears, and memories. Looking back at last December, I wondered where I would be in a year. I would have never guessed here. I can’t say everything has been flowers and sunshine, but it’s been during the storms that I have grown the most. I would not have asked for some of the experiences I received, but would not trade them for anything for they have made me who I am today. It’s hard to see this at times, but having a few days to relax and reflect has helped. From these reflections, hopefully, I will learn from my mistakes and continue to treasure what God has blessed me with. Who knows? Maybe the start of 2012 will encourage me to leave my apathetic ways and help readjust my focus. And so I thank you December for comforting me with your warmer-than-usual weather, reindeer, abundance of homemade cookies, and talk of a new year.

Sincerely,

Hannah      

Knock Your Mismatched Socks Off

“Hey, guess what?” my friend asked one day.

“What?” I replied

“I have a purple sock on and a pink sock on!”

I looked at her as she smiled and simply shook my head…

One of my biggest pet-peeves is unmatched socks. I only wear socks that match and will NOT mix-match them. I have frequently pointed out to my roommate that her socks do not match. An example of this mismatching is a pink and black zebra stripped sock paired with a green and blue polka dot sock. Her response to my outbursts was that she bought a pack of 10 socks that purposefully did not match and she that was going to wear them proudly no matter how many times I complained about it. I eventually gave up and tried not think of how much they didn’t match.

But one morning after my ranting, she challenged me to wear unmatched socks. I reluctantly agreed but told her that she would have to listen to me complain about it all day. My unmatched socks consisted of a purple sock with a green frog on it paired with a white and pink stripped sock. When I first put them on, I did not know how I was going to make it through the day. It was wrong. They did not match. At all. Nothing about them matched. Did I mention that I was wearing socks that didn’t match? Obviously I wanted to make them match. But I couldn’t; I told my roommate I would wear them until 10 o’clock that night. I could do this…maybe.

I put my tennis shoes on which helped, but I could still feel their unmatching-ness nagging at me in the back of my mind. Surprisingly I made it through the day with minimal complaining. This amazed me because I thought having unmatched socks would be a big issue for me. But honestly after my first class I forgot about them and was only reminded when I occasionally glanced at my feet. Out of sight out of mind perhaps?

The saying goes don’t knock something until you’ve tried it. Well I tried it. I made it to 10 o’clock that night and I proved to myself that I was not confined by disdain for mismatched socks. I “faced my fear” if you will, and conquered it. Even though I continue to match my socks, at least I tried something new and out of the ordinary. And surprisingly, I lived to tell about it.  

Do you wear mismatched socks? Why or why not? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!   

Picture obtained from mitaliblog.com

Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

Have you ever cried for no reason?  And it’s not even a sobbing-box-of-tissues-worthy cry, just a few tears. Perhaps there is a reason and you just haven’t discovered it yet. Or there really could be no source that wants to claim responsibility for this expression of emotion. But it is an expressed emotion nonetheless. A day or two later, you look back on how you felt and wonder what was wrong with yourself. There was no way you could have been so sad because today you are higher than a kite on a sunny afternoon in July! You can’t stop smiling. Little things make you laugh. No one can do you wrong. You radiate joy, happiness, essentially any positive emotion possible.

Now, imagine a world without emotion.

No anger. No sadness. No joy. No awe. No anticipation. No disappointment. No regret. No loneliness. No optimism.

That exciting apprehension you experience as you finally tell the woman of your dreams you love her and want to spend the rest of your days growing old with her and the joy and contentment she expresses-gone.

The relief, amazement, and love you and your spouse experience when holding your band new baby for the first time-not there.

The pain, heartache, and sorrow you felt when you heard your grandmother passed away- non-existent.   

What would the world be like without these emotions? How different would your life be if you made decisions without the influence of emotions? I often take the ability to feel these numerous emotions for granted or some days wish I could go numb and feel nothing at all. But as I continue to think about a world without emotions, I realize how logical, rigid, and sad it would be. I am grateful that I can experience joy, even if that means some days I have to experience sadness. For how can we recognize and find pleasure in true joy without experiencing the depths of despair?

Would you give up all emotions to escape the sadness, the hurt, and the pain? I'd love to hear your thoughts about this topic!

Doodle on!

“And when you take the square root of 2547 and multiply it by the fourth...”

There have been times when I am sitting in class and suddenly the square root of 2547 turns into a Thanksgiving turkey. At first it’s all numbers and square roots. Then I hear “roots” and I think of the outdoors. My hand veers to the left margin of my notes and begins drawing squiggles that resemble the roots of a tree. Trees. Forrest. Brother. Hunting. Turkey Hunting. Thanksgiving dinner. Yum! Those squiggles have now evolved into some broccoli, stick figures, and a turkey on a plate that’s been interrupted numerous times when my hand refocuses on numbers and equations. This is not a new phenomenon for me. If you could see my notes from high school, you would see that if the notes were not detailed that day, the left margin would be filled with random doodles. I used to feel bad because I had so many scribbles - didn’t that show I was uninterested and disengaged with what was being taught in class? I learned that these doodles were a result of my visual learning style. There are three major ways people learn: visually, auditory, and kinesthetically, but for now I will focus on the visual learning style.

Visual learners, like myself, learn best by seeing things. Doodling is a way for students to “see” and give their brain a little extra stimulation in the classroom. I often find myself remembering where something is in my notes by what was drawn beside it, even if it had nothing to do with the lesson. Why? Because when I close my eyes, I can see it in my mind. Visual learners tend to picture concepts in their minds and pictures, charts, diagrams, and outlines can help them better visualize those concepts. Color is a vital tool for visual learners. It helps them organize and recall information in their notes because they can “see” which word went with which color. Here are some learning techniques from about.com that can assist visual learners in the classroom:    

·         Draw a map of events in history or draw scientific process. 

·         Make outlines of everything! 

·         Copy what’s on the board. 

·         Ask the teacher to diagram. 

·         Diagram sentences! 

·         Take notes, make lists. 

·         Watch videos. 

·         Color code words, research notes.

·         Outline reading.

·         Use flashcards.

·         Use highlighters, circle words, underline.

  

Even if you are not a visual learner doodling can still be beneficial. It doesn't have to be a masterpiece-simple shapes and shading can help you retain information because not only are you hearing the information, but you are engaging your mind and body as you interact with what is being said. In fact, researchers have found doodlers retained 30% more of the information they heard than the non-doodlers. So doodle on doodlers!

Not a visual learner but interested in finding out what your learning style is and enhancing your classroom experience? Take this quiz and let me know what techniques help you learn best!

The Virus

It starts off sweet, soft.

Innocently.

Maybe there’s even a hint of excitement sprinkled somewhere in it.

It means no harm, really. It crosses your path maybe once or twice and is quickly forgotten. Your life goes on as it had before.

Normally.

It may be hours, days even before it hits it you unexpectedly. It may attack you in the grocery store line. Or perhaps as you stand at the kitchen sink rinsing the dishes. It can come at any time- morning or night. But once you realize it, it's usually too late. It creeps throughout your entire being until it consumes your every thought. You try to distract yourself with a million other variations of it, but nothing satisfies you. You go on with your day, thinking that school, work, or occupying yourself with some mindless task will divert your attention.

Wrong. This only serves to intensify your need for it.

Finally you give in- there is nothing else you can to.

The next chance you get you pull up iTunes, YouTube, turn up the radio- whatever it takes to rid yourself of its melodic grip.

What is this monster you may ask?

Some call it stuck song syndrome, others call it an earworm. You may recognize it as that song that’s constantly set on replay in your mind; nearly all of us have been struck by this “virus” at one time or another. And one of the worst parts is that it’s usually not the entire song that consumes your entire existence. It can be just one line or rhythm that tantalizes your mind for days on end. You could potentially be trapped on different parts of the same song for weeks!     

One of your symptoms may include repetition of the same song over and over on your phone, iPod or laptop- whatever plays music- until it drives you, your parents, your roommate, and your friends absolutely crazy. This is how it spreads. Another symptom may be waking up with that song already in your mind so much so that it compels you to belt it at the top of your lungs in the shower at 6:30am. While these symptoms may also serve as temporary fixes, there is unfortunately, no known “cure” for these fateful occurrences. 

But eventually, gratefully, and perhaps even magically, the “virus” runs its course and exits the body, leaving you and those around you with some peace and sanity still intact.

But then it starts off sweet, soft. Innocently. It means no harm…

I was recently exposed to the song “Island in the Sun” by Wheezer and currently have the first eighteen seconds lodged in my brain. Has this ever happened to you? What songs or snippets of songs have been stuck in your head? What methods have you used to rid yourself of the dreaded earworm? I’d love to hear your thoughts or remedies you’ve discovered! 

       

Tree Joy

Enjoying coffee with a friend. Seeing the sun shine. Making cookies with my mom. 

Each of these experiences brought a smile to my face and sparked warmth in my heart. They didn’t have to be elaborate, extraordinary, or showy to do so- goodness the sun shines every day somewhere, coffee can be bought at anytime, and quite frankly the kitchen counter gets pretty messy when cookies are made at my house. No, these are not the flamboyant parts of life, these are the simple things. They are sprinkles of peace, pleasure, and joy that God chooses to bless us with. And the best part is, sometimes they are so ordinary we don’t even see them coming, and the randomness of these events makes them all the more enjoyable. Sometimes we have to sit back with a hot cup of chai tea and reflect on the experience to realize how much joy we actually received from it.

I think so many times in life we wait, hope for, and expect something grand and magnificent to grab our attention and whisk us away in the oblivion of ultimate happiness. And in the midst of all these high hopes and expectations, we miss these little bite-sized bits of happiness that God gives us each day. 

Example: Today it is cold, wet, dreary and Monday. I am expecting something striking to make my day but there is no big event going on, no special food in the cafeteria, nothing impressive to differentiate this Monday from any other Monday. Except for a tree. I look out the window (checking to see if it’s a total downpour or a dainty drizzle) and I see it. It’s been there all year, but something about this time of year makes it stand out, especially today. I have deemed it the perfect fall tree- at least until it changes. It has the perfect combination green, orange, yellow and red leaves on it and makes the other trees beside it pale in comparison. A little while later the sun peaks out and gives the tree an iridescent golden shimmer which makes it all the more beautiful. Simply beholding this tree and its colors gave me joy on this dreary Monday.

We miss simple things like this because we are looking for something greater. Sometimes we forget the simple things can be great too! I challenge you to reflect on this day and look for something small that made you happy, something little that made you smile. Hopefully you’ll discover the joy of the little blessings God places in your path!    

A Controlled Chaos

Ask me how I felt a week ago and I would have said busy.

But implied by that word busy, was the word overwhelmed. Yes, I was going to be busy working, studying for tests, writing papers, throwing a social life somewhere in there and going to a family reunion, but I did not mean the good busy feeling.

Response A:

Busy: If I had truly felt a good busy feeling, I would have embraced it by saying, “I am busy. I have this and that to do and then I’m going there for this and what am I still doing here? I’ll catch you later after this happens tonight!”

Response B:

Overwhelmed Busy: Instead, I responded with, sigh, “uh, busy? I have a lot going on and no time to do any of it” as I gloomily stalked away.

What is difference between these two responses?

Control.

Response A, stemmed from a sense of control. While there may have been a lot to do in those few days, response A would have indicated I did not feel overwhelmed because I knew I had it under control, was not worried, and knew it would all work out in the end. Response B indicated a lack of control; I felt things were out of my hands and there wasn’t much I could do about the situation. It also showed the lack of confidence I had in my ability to get things done and in outcomes of those situations.

Looking back on the week, after everything had finally been accomplished, I decided to see what could have made me I respond the way I did. What was it that made me feel as though I had no control? Some factors that may have contributed to this feeling included being unable to ask for help, taking on too many things at once, trying to constantly please others, extreme competitiveness, or ineffective time management. In preparation for the upcoming week, I have a much more positive outlook because after looking at what I have to accomplish, I have made some adjustments to avoid feeling overwhelmed. I have given myself more control over certain situations by saying no, and by trying to plan my days so everything doesn’t pile up on one particular day. 

Ask me how I’m feeling about week and I’ll say confident!

Picture obtained from: www.stacksandstacks.com      

Immersed in Color

Happiness, anger, peace, danger, fear, energy, and love can all be found in seven letters: ROYGBIV

Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet

Each of these colors elicits a certain response which may be expressed consciously or subconsciously. Color can easily affect your mood and emotions. Ever feel antsy when you step into a room? Do you notice your blood pressure rise when surrounded by a particular color? Of course there can be personal reasons tied into your response to a color, but overall people have similar reactions to colors. Ancient Egyptians realized this and tried to harness the healing power of color by using chromotherapy to heal various ailments. Here are some examples of various colors that were used to enhance health:

·         Red: increase circulation

·         Orange: healing of the lungs and increase energy

·         Blue: alleviate pain

·         Indigo: treat skin ailments  

Today, most psychologists would say that color therapy has little significance or actual healing effects, but would agree that each color is able to draw out various moods, feelings, or associations. Below is a list of colors and various concepts and sensations they can elicit. 

Red:

~Attracts attention

~Creates feelings of intensity

~Can increase blood pressure

~Is associated with life and excitement

Orange:

~Related to a fresh new day

~An ostentatious and ambitious color

~Draws attention

~Is associated with energy, fun, and warmth

Yellow:

~Releases serration (a feel-good hormone)

~Can enhance concentration

~Tends to make babies cry more often and disagreements to rise

~Is associated with the sun, cheerfulness, happiness, and optimism

Green:

~Pleasant to the senses

~Also a calming color

~Traditional color of peace

~Is associated with wealth, nature, envy, harmony and masculinity

Blue:

~Majority of people’s favorite color

~Produces a calming effect

~Some shades may imply indifference

~Is associated with dependability and loyalty

Purple:

~Is uplifting

~Is a mix between a stimulating and calm color so it can cause unrest

~Can come across as fake because it is not frequently found in nature

~Is associated with prosperity, wisdom, and spirituality

Most of the time we don't even think about the affect colors can have. Knowing what is associated with each color can help you determine what type of message you want to send to your future employer, how to grab consumers’ attention so they buy your next book, or what color to paint your child’s room. The next time you go into a store or purchase a product, keep in mind how colors may shape your decision. Did the color of the yellow walls change your mood? Did you purchase the product because the red label caught your attention? I’d love to hear your stories on how you think color has influenced you!

Picture obtained from: http://nightmaremode.net/2011/07/dreaming-in-color-omnitopic-roundup-6701/

How is this Running Benefiting Me?

“Next drill: 10 suicides. Go.”

Groans escaped from my volleyball team as we repeated the suicide drill of running from line to line across the gymnasium floor. I didn’t understand why we had to do so much running. The court was not that large, and was not nearly the size of a football or soccer field. And this would have been considered an extreme punishment for two missed serves-there is a reason this is called the suicide drill. I tried to concentrate on something other than the running as my leg muscles screamed at me in the middle of the fourth suicide.

It wasn’t until later I realized why my team and I were constantly doing running drills. It wasn’t because our coach was punishing us; it wasn’t because she liked to see us in pain. It was because the drills provided us with more agility and stamina when it came time to play a game. Our coach made us go through the pain of those drills to improve our performance in the game. 

Our perspectives have a significant impact on how we handle certain events that come our way. Sometimes in life we are placed in complicated situations and encounter difficult people. At the time, it is hard to see how a particularly trying event could possibly have a positive outcome. (how is this running benefiting me again?) We may have a bleak outlook. But I have found as I look back on various experiences throughout my life, that I have learned valuable lessons and grown closer to Christ and more as a person through those hard times. Eventually I realize the importance of the lessons I have learned and see that I have become a more well-rounded person by encountering something difficult. Just as the goal of my coach was not to cause me pain but to prepare me for the game, the difficulties we experience in life are there to make us stronger and prepare us for what may come next.

In the end it really depends on the outlook we have when we encounter something difficult. If you are going through a difficult trial in your life right now, I encourage you to stick with it and not lose hope.  We can ask “why me?” a hundred times and meditate on nothing but the negative aspects of the issue, or we can ask “what can I learn from this and how will it make me a better person?” Looking back, you may be surprised at what you have learned just by changing your outlook on a particular situation.      

Rain, Rain Go Away...

The soft pitter patter of rain gently aroused me from my sleep this morning. I laid there for a few moments listening to the soothing sound before the alarmed buzzed in my ear. As I climbed out of bed, the necessary adjustments I would need to make for the day began streaming through my mind...no sandals, scrunch my hair, wear a jacket with a hood, find my umbrella… all of these modifications because of the rain. But my hairstyle and clothes weren’t the only things affected by the rain- my mood was affected as well. The gray clouds did not excite me, and knowing I would be wet and cold from the elements did not encourage me to have a good outlook on the day.

But does the weather actually have an impact on one’s mood or emotions? Some studies would suggest yes, others would suggest no. A study conducted in Germany found that specific elements in the weather such as temperature, wind, sunlight, precipitation, air pressure, and the length of the day, did not have a significant impact on positive moods, though temperature, wind, and sunlight appeared to influence how tired the participants were. While responses from this study were spread across such a broad spectrum, researchers could not deny the fact that there may be a correlation between weather and mood for some people.

Others would argue there is no correlation and that it is up to the individual how they chose to feel on a particular day, regardless of the weather. While each of us has the ability to control our emotions and our dispositions, I believe there is a correlation (not causation) between the weather and a person’s mood. For example, another study of college students found that there was a significant link between the weather and their moods. There was a strong, positive correlation between optimism scores and sunlight hours. It also suggested an association between rising temperatures and lower anxiety scores. This supports the assumption of a link between disposition and the elements.   

Another example of how weather can influence a change in mood can be easily seen in those who have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Individuals with this disorder experience depression-like symptoms due to the lack of production of serotonin in the fall and throughout the winter months. Serotonin is a hormone produced when there is sunlight exposure and can help combat depression. This is why in the winter months when there are fewer daylight hours, the serotonin production decreases, thus affecting an individual’s mood.

There are many studies that have been done that show significant or insignificant correlations between the weather and one’s mood. While the evidence can go either way, there is definitely some sort of connection between the two. For some, the correlation may be more apparent than in others. So next time you find yourself in either a pleasant or gloomy mood, take note of the weather. I’d love to hear your thoughts on whether or not the weather played a part in your disposition! 

Brownies, Coffee, and Cake- Oh My!

The aroma entices me. It fills my nostrils and conjures up pleasant memories causing a sense of calmness to rush over me. I can’t fight it any longer, so I grab a pale blue mug and watch the last drop of freshly brewed Maxwell House coffee drip into the pot. I pour myself a cup, and as I circle my hands around the warm mug, begin to think of an accomplice.

Chocolate cake? Biscotti? Ooo…Chocolate chip cookies? Brownies? Cereal? Maybe a Reese’s Cup? Ice cream? What about those barbeque chips we have in the cupboard...  

I need something to accompany this delicious cup of coffee. But wait, I just ate an hour ago- I’m not hungry. Why do I want something to eat? My stomach isn’t growling. I don’t feel weak and I don't think I’m going to pass out…

In this case, my “hunger” is not really hunger. Hunger is the physiological need for food in order for the body to function properly. The real reason I want some form of food to accompany my coffee is because of my appetite. Appetite is the desire for food and is the psychological aspect of eating. It is the emotional cues you experience when you see, smell, and even think about food. So while my body does not need food, my desire for it encourages me to eat. For example, I know how delicious brownies taste, especially when chocolate chips have been added to them. The thought of pairing the sweetness of a brownie with the bitterness of coffee evokes a positive and satisfying emotional memory in my mind, thus increasing my desire for food. Now if I had a slice of peanut butter pie and coffee…

A knock interrupts my thoughts as my roommate opens the door to a few girls with a large cardboard box in their hands. They explain that they are selling baked goods for a service learning trip. Now I am really in a dilemma. I do not physically need food, but I have a desire for food. Do I say no thank you, knowing that I am physically satisfied, or do I buy something in order to gratify my psychological desire for food?

Twenty minutes later, I wipe the remaining peanut butter cookie crumbs off my desk and continue on with my homework, knowing that I not only supported a service learning trip, but also satisfied my appetite!  

What was I thinking?!

Why did I say that?! Why did I tell Angela that I liked that shirt? Susan, Theresa, and Maggie all said it looked cute and that she should try it on. Really?! Not for a blind date! It looked like a pink flamingo had exploded on it! She’s going to look like a disaster; why didn’t I just speak up and tell her how hideous the shirt was?

Have you ever been in a situation similar to this one? Perhaps you’re out with a group of friends or colleagues and everyone else seems to view a situation differently than you do. Instead of speaking your mind about the issue, you nod your head and agree with what everyone else has said. This is a prime example of conformity and is influenced by our sometimes unconscious desire to be accepted by our peers. As social beings, we are very much influenced by the thoughts and actions of those around us, so much so that we at times “change” our views to match what others have said so that we fit in, regardless of the situation. So next time before you conform to what others have said, think twice before one of your friends walks out of the store looking like a flamingo!