"SOL Blessed." This was the popular phrase that the SOLs of 2014 to be their own and to be the identifier of our class. It represents the opportunity that we had been given to spend three months together and to grow personally and be supportive of one another in this endeavor. "SOL Blessed" relates our gratitude for the family we had been given and the plethora gifts from Ms. Sarah Leggessee. It represents the instantaneous cognitive reaction to being asked about our summer together - gratitude for the people and experiences we were blessed to receive. I am blessed to have been a Student Orientation Leader of the class of 2014 because it shaped me, freed me, and enabled me to grow.
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
~Mother Teresa
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
~Mother Teresa
I shall begin with a succinct exposition of SOL as a preamble to the in-depth account to offer an introduction and to display what I had gained/learned.
The Student Orientation Leader position at the University of Cincinnati is renowned for its transformational effects - mainly the liberation of the person from social pretense and personal flourishing - and for the excitement inherent in its nature. SOLs are selected from a rigorous process that reveals their character, personality, and aptitude towards group cohesion. SOL began with an intensive, one month training period designed to sharpen us as professionals, provide us with sufficient knowledge of the university, and to come together as a family. A significant aspect of the training was the Linsly Outdoors Center excursion. Over the six day retreat, the SOLs faced and conquered their deep-seated fears and congealed together in fellowship. Immediately afterwards, Bearcats Bound Orientation began and we were thrown into the fire of high mental and physical demands, frantic scrambles for coordination of events, and the engagement from an ever changing environment. The frenzy and strain upon the person lead to the greatest of growths because oftentimes it was others that we were consoling and administering to the most central pains and burdens of the SOLs. I find this to be one of the most profound environments in which I have ever been present in that the exposition of one's true self and burdens were so readily and frequently displayed, seeking for the intervention of others. Never before have I experienced a work environment where the employees let their soul and psyche surface and be so encouraged by the others. Eventually, all of the small group sessions, down the drive seminars, questions, concerns, and overloading of information upon others ended with the end of the year banquet and a reflection upon our summer. Above all, I learned about myself. I learned that I love putting others first and pursuing the ideas of the good, the righteous, the just, and love. I found more strength in my skin and soul that offered (socially aberrant) reflective and introspective ideas than those that arise in common conversation. Professionally, I became adept in leading a small group and understanding the dynamic of the group and then accommodating and guiding the discussion or events to strategically meet the goal or fulfill the purpose of the group. Furthermore, I learned how to engage others and guide them along the path without directing them and thus stimulating discovery, collaboration, and critical thinking. I also learned many of the skills necessary to conduct myself professionally such as the confidence to speak first and engage others in conversation, to use the other's name, and to frequently show gratitude for what I have been given. Finally, I gained leadership skills in learning how to put others above myself and live as a servant leader. I also learned how to recognize my appropriate place and how I can be most effective with my presence and input. With the freedom to conduct my small group and interactions with my discretion came the ability to analyze the situation and find solutions to a problem in real time.
SOL
When I arrived at the University of Cincinnati, I immediately found several things that I would strive for: membership in the First Year Leadership Program, accreditation as a ROAR tour guide, and employment in the highly coveted student Orientation Leader position. Then, approximately six months after I established my goal, I began the rigorous and stressful application to become a SOL. After a lengthy interview, high-anxiety mini camp, and a personal discussion with the director, I received a phone call with an offer to become an Orientation Leader. And so it began!
In the weeks preceding training, the SOLs were somewhat unsure of the role of family member that each would fill and the relation that we would have with each other. We engaged in light social media activity and mostly feared for our lives(our jobs) that our Coordinators would catch one of us doing anything. I also began unsure of how to approach the situation being that I am naturally inclined to rush into an unknown group of people and befriend them all, yet I wasn't sure if that role would be assumed by another or if, because of our notorious social natures, it would be seen as aberrant. In retrospect, I should have dived head first in and shown true colors as this is who I am. However, training began and we were held to the strictest of schedules and our every move was monitored and evaluated for "loving critiques" that somehow didn't feel so warm - this was because our Coordinators were instructed to remove any inviting demeanors so as to establish authority. I struggled through the training, as did many others, because cliques would form and would, unbeknownst to the members, undermine the spirits of the other SOLs as we were expected/assumed to come together as family. Also, throughout the training, I had made it a personal goal to study and to read during the break so as to develop myself intellectually and reignite my passion for good thought. Stress was high throughout the day because no individual wanted to be late for fear of termination and no one wanted to draw attention to himself or herself. We lived together in Siddall residence hall and I roomed with Eli Rouse. Initially, I was somewhat hesitant to live with Eli because we were so different, yet we grew so close and I know what attracted me to him in friendship was the genuine kindness that he exuded. He befriended all and would give his full presence to the other. Through living together, the SOLs........... And so on. I could continue with the entire SOL experience yet I would much rather impart on the reader the experiences and events that typified SOL, the times that made SOL the wonder and liberation that it was.
The Law!
I AM MY BROTHER'S KEEPER. This is the law passed down from SOL class to SOL class. It defines who we are and how we come to be. We are put through the most physically rigorous gauntlet of little sleep with expectations of high energy and flawless discipline. Nietzche once said that "he who has a why can bear almost any how." That why became each other. That why then changed into love. Prior to the transformation, our director inculcated this into our minds but that meant little compared to our own initiative. The SOLs quickly understood that they did not want to lose any other due to tardiness (for which the penalty was termination) because we recognized ourselves as a team, and thus responsible for one another. But the responsibility became much more than assumed. It became our duty to push or pull each other up to the standards and requirements of SOL; a duty formed from the notion of each SOL being one of our family - one of our own. We became the protectors of each other's health and happiness.
The Reveal!
Although I cannot disclose details about the event, I can speak in generalities and talk of the produce from the miniature retreat. During one of the training days, the SOLs and the Coordinators gathered into a room and proceeded to engage in one of the most emotional and personal activities of the summer. In many ways, we disclosed what was on each person's heart and some of the truest elements that compose the individuals. We came to know what each other feared, what they loved, what plagued them, what hindered them, their regrets, and many other dimensions of the person. Perhaps this was the first uniform foundation across all SOLs for our family: because we the outpour of oneself was to all, we shared the ultimate secrets with each other that would be treasured and kept hidden within the rest. We came together because we knew each person had a piece of us kept within them.
The Excursion!
The SOLs went on a six day retreat to the Linsly Outdoors Center where we removed ourselves from our social circles and responsibilities to connect with each other. We roomed in cabins spent every waking hour doing activities with the group. During this time, there were two very liberating experiences. The first was the high ropes course that challenged the fears and perceived limits each person held within themselves. Most participants had hesitations to make an attempt with the intent of succeeding, but they tried nonetheless. A determination on reaching the goal was learned and was reinforced by the onlookers. Triumph over the obstacles became triumph over oneself in that it represented mastery over fear. Conquering the course was freedom because one became disillusioned by the seeming impossibility or incapability that arose when first considering an attempt. Second was the wall. The objective was to transport all twenty-nine SOLs, through lifting and pulling, from the base of a fifteen foot wall over and onto a platform behind it. We had only one sentence apiece to communicate throughout the entire exercise which then added an sense of awe and reverence to the atmosphere. It can be seen as a metaphor for the entire summer in that we succeeded because our full attempts to climb were aided and supported by the rest of the team. Each gave the the entire extent of what their will power would offer but it had to be matched by the entire exertion of strength by the rest. The support of our being to the others was amplified by the silence because the ends of our work and purposes for aiding was not hidden behind platitudes, rather, it shone forth in the eyes, nods indicating trust and affirmation of mutual dedication to the goal, and the light of joy in one's expression after a SOL reached the top. Together, we conquered.
The Typical Day!
Perhaps what most people identify SOL as is seen in the small idiosyncrasies within SOL. The everyday small changes revealed nuggets about the nature of SOL. When another SOL would walk up without solicitation and hug another, it demonstrated the want for the other to be truly happy and to share in happiness with one another. When we would spend hours talking to our roommates at night we sacrificed our sleep for the community and solidarity between us all. When we would recognize the work of a SOL that would have gone unnoticed, we dignified their humility and offered our gratitude for their selfless giving. We showed our disregard for being socially comfortable by dancing every other morning in front of hundreds of onlookers. We demonstrated love for each other by being both the arms to fall into when the world was crumbling and our will was fading as well and the smile to share in during the greatest of joys. We were family and lived as thus each day.
The Student Orientation Leader position at the University of Cincinnati is renowned for its transformational effects - mainly the liberation of the person from social pretense and personal flourishing - and for the excitement inherent in its nature. SOLs are selected from a rigorous process that reveals their character, personality, and aptitude towards group cohesion. SOL began with an intensive, one month training period designed to sharpen us as professionals, provide us with sufficient knowledge of the university, and to come together as a family. A significant aspect of the training was the Linsly Outdoors Center excursion. Over the six day retreat, the SOLs faced and conquered their deep-seated fears and congealed together in fellowship. Immediately afterwards, Bearcats Bound Orientation began and we were thrown into the fire of high mental and physical demands, frantic scrambles for coordination of events, and the engagement from an ever changing environment. The frenzy and strain upon the person lead to the greatest of growths because oftentimes it was others that we were consoling and administering to the most central pains and burdens of the SOLs. I find this to be one of the most profound environments in which I have ever been present in that the exposition of one's true self and burdens were so readily and frequently displayed, seeking for the intervention of others. Never before have I experienced a work environment where the employees let their soul and psyche surface and be so encouraged by the others. Eventually, all of the small group sessions, down the drive seminars, questions, concerns, and overloading of information upon others ended with the end of the year banquet and a reflection upon our summer. Above all, I learned about myself. I learned that I love putting others first and pursuing the ideas of the good, the righteous, the just, and love. I found more strength in my skin and soul that offered (socially aberrant) reflective and introspective ideas than those that arise in common conversation. Professionally, I became adept in leading a small group and understanding the dynamic of the group and then accommodating and guiding the discussion or events to strategically meet the goal or fulfill the purpose of the group. Furthermore, I learned how to engage others and guide them along the path without directing them and thus stimulating discovery, collaboration, and critical thinking. I also learned many of the skills necessary to conduct myself professionally such as the confidence to speak first and engage others in conversation, to use the other's name, and to frequently show gratitude for what I have been given. Finally, I gained leadership skills in learning how to put others above myself and live as a servant leader. I also learned how to recognize my appropriate place and how I can be most effective with my presence and input. With the freedom to conduct my small group and interactions with my discretion came the ability to analyze the situation and find solutions to a problem in real time.
SOL
When I arrived at the University of Cincinnati, I immediately found several things that I would strive for: membership in the First Year Leadership Program, accreditation as a ROAR tour guide, and employment in the highly coveted student Orientation Leader position. Then, approximately six months after I established my goal, I began the rigorous and stressful application to become a SOL. After a lengthy interview, high-anxiety mini camp, and a personal discussion with the director, I received a phone call with an offer to become an Orientation Leader. And so it began!
In the weeks preceding training, the SOLs were somewhat unsure of the role of family member that each would fill and the relation that we would have with each other. We engaged in light social media activity and mostly feared for our lives(our jobs) that our Coordinators would catch one of us doing anything. I also began unsure of how to approach the situation being that I am naturally inclined to rush into an unknown group of people and befriend them all, yet I wasn't sure if that role would be assumed by another or if, because of our notorious social natures, it would be seen as aberrant. In retrospect, I should have dived head first in and shown true colors as this is who I am. However, training began and we were held to the strictest of schedules and our every move was monitored and evaluated for "loving critiques" that somehow didn't feel so warm - this was because our Coordinators were instructed to remove any inviting demeanors so as to establish authority. I struggled through the training, as did many others, because cliques would form and would, unbeknownst to the members, undermine the spirits of the other SOLs as we were expected/assumed to come together as family. Also, throughout the training, I had made it a personal goal to study and to read during the break so as to develop myself intellectually and reignite my passion for good thought. Stress was high throughout the day because no individual wanted to be late for fear of termination and no one wanted to draw attention to himself or herself. We lived together in Siddall residence hall and I roomed with Eli Rouse. Initially, I was somewhat hesitant to live with Eli because we were so different, yet we grew so close and I know what attracted me to him in friendship was the genuine kindness that he exuded. He befriended all and would give his full presence to the other. Through living together, the SOLs........... And so on. I could continue with the entire SOL experience yet I would much rather impart on the reader the experiences and events that typified SOL, the times that made SOL the wonder and liberation that it was.
The Law!
I AM MY BROTHER'S KEEPER. This is the law passed down from SOL class to SOL class. It defines who we are and how we come to be. We are put through the most physically rigorous gauntlet of little sleep with expectations of high energy and flawless discipline. Nietzche once said that "he who has a why can bear almost any how." That why became each other. That why then changed into love. Prior to the transformation, our director inculcated this into our minds but that meant little compared to our own initiative. The SOLs quickly understood that they did not want to lose any other due to tardiness (for which the penalty was termination) because we recognized ourselves as a team, and thus responsible for one another. But the responsibility became much more than assumed. It became our duty to push or pull each other up to the standards and requirements of SOL; a duty formed from the notion of each SOL being one of our family - one of our own. We became the protectors of each other's health and happiness.
The Reveal!
Although I cannot disclose details about the event, I can speak in generalities and talk of the produce from the miniature retreat. During one of the training days, the SOLs and the Coordinators gathered into a room and proceeded to engage in one of the most emotional and personal activities of the summer. In many ways, we disclosed what was on each person's heart and some of the truest elements that compose the individuals. We came to know what each other feared, what they loved, what plagued them, what hindered them, their regrets, and many other dimensions of the person. Perhaps this was the first uniform foundation across all SOLs for our family: because we the outpour of oneself was to all, we shared the ultimate secrets with each other that would be treasured and kept hidden within the rest. We came together because we knew each person had a piece of us kept within them.
The Excursion!
The SOLs went on a six day retreat to the Linsly Outdoors Center where we removed ourselves from our social circles and responsibilities to connect with each other. We roomed in cabins spent every waking hour doing activities with the group. During this time, there were two very liberating experiences. The first was the high ropes course that challenged the fears and perceived limits each person held within themselves. Most participants had hesitations to make an attempt with the intent of succeeding, but they tried nonetheless. A determination on reaching the goal was learned and was reinforced by the onlookers. Triumph over the obstacles became triumph over oneself in that it represented mastery over fear. Conquering the course was freedom because one became disillusioned by the seeming impossibility or incapability that arose when first considering an attempt. Second was the wall. The objective was to transport all twenty-nine SOLs, through lifting and pulling, from the base of a fifteen foot wall over and onto a platform behind it. We had only one sentence apiece to communicate throughout the entire exercise which then added an sense of awe and reverence to the atmosphere. It can be seen as a metaphor for the entire summer in that we succeeded because our full attempts to climb were aided and supported by the rest of the team. Each gave the the entire extent of what their will power would offer but it had to be matched by the entire exertion of strength by the rest. The support of our being to the others was amplified by the silence because the ends of our work and purposes for aiding was not hidden behind platitudes, rather, it shone forth in the eyes, nods indicating trust and affirmation of mutual dedication to the goal, and the light of joy in one's expression after a SOL reached the top. Together, we conquered.
The Typical Day!
Perhaps what most people identify SOL as is seen in the small idiosyncrasies within SOL. The everyday small changes revealed nuggets about the nature of SOL. When another SOL would walk up without solicitation and hug another, it demonstrated the want for the other to be truly happy and to share in happiness with one another. When we would spend hours talking to our roommates at night we sacrificed our sleep for the community and solidarity between us all. When we would recognize the work of a SOL that would have gone unnoticed, we dignified their humility and offered our gratitude for their selfless giving. We showed our disregard for being socially comfortable by dancing every other morning in front of hundreds of onlookers. We demonstrated love for each other by being both the arms to fall into when the world was crumbling and our will was fading as well and the smile to share in during the greatest of joys. We were family and lived as thus each day.