I am an educator. I believe in the student and nothing motivates me more then assisting students in believing in their story. For so long we are told or believe that one must live a certain way or understand life under the direction of our parents but I think society is wrong in that point of view. Instead, I think we are given the direction from our family and society to make up what it is that we truly believe. The world is full of fascinating people and I fail to believe that two people share an exact same world view on what it is that makes life meaningful. Our experiences and our beliefs is what shapes us into the person we want to be and the impact we want to make in this world.
As an instructor at Iowa State, I start first semester by having my students write an essay entitled- Who I Am. The purpose of this essay is to get students to think back and reflect on who they are at this point in time. What is it that you know about yourself that excites you? Where do you want to take those strengths? I feel throughout this life we are misguided by unanswered questions and we get lost because instead of basing this life on what we know, we choose to base it on what we don't know. At the end of the day those questions will always be there, but as you begin to strengthen the idea of who you are you come to recognize those answers take a life time to figure out. I am often amazed at how many of the students will change the document title to Who Am I? This completely changes the prompt of the essay. I don't know who you are but I want you to tell me what you know. How is that one defines their life and more importantly what makes life fulfilling to them. When they begin to understand those questions, college and the life experiences they are about to embark on no longer seem unsettling but instead a journey of self-discovery.
I think that is what our identity should be defined by. Identity is what you make it to be. In my opinion, it is society's way of categorizing individuals in a way that helps us answer the question of Who and Why. I am Dylan West. That should be enough for people. Life encompasses identity and it is defined by our actions and choices to help us understand Who I Am for ourselves. It is not the actions themselves that define us but what we choose to take away from those moments that gives us a better sense of self-understanding. Those lessons we take away from those experiences are what should influence our lives in a positive way.
Two years ago, I was on staff at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp in Kalispell, MT. This was without a doubt the most life changing experience for me simply because I lived and explored what was important to me, faith and life, in an environment where so many others shared that similar desire. It amazes me to this day how those experiences and this staff continue to remind me of what I am capable of doing with my life. When you are a part of a community, like camp, you begin to explore for yourself what matters most as you turn your complex lifestyle into one of simplicity. (Shower or No Shower- We love you. Dock Talks. Staff Bonding on Weekends. Peak a Mountain, Eat Lunch, and then climb back down). Discover for yourself what you are capable of achieving and let those moments define who you are. For me, that is what life is all about. Now while I can't continue to peak a mountain on my lunch break in Iowa, you begin to realize the adventure and the experiences we have whether day-to-day or just throughout life become the central part in defining the life your want to live and more importantly who you want to be. These moments are what set me up to better understand what I am capable of achieving and the great opportunities that await me in this coming year.
As an instructor at Iowa State, I start first semester by having my students write an essay entitled- Who I Am. The purpose of this essay is to get students to think back and reflect on who they are at this point in time. What is it that you know about yourself that excites you? Where do you want to take those strengths? I feel throughout this life we are misguided by unanswered questions and we get lost because instead of basing this life on what we know, we choose to base it on what we don't know. At the end of the day those questions will always be there, but as you begin to strengthen the idea of who you are you come to recognize those answers take a life time to figure out. I am often amazed at how many of the students will change the document title to Who Am I? This completely changes the prompt of the essay. I don't know who you are but I want you to tell me what you know. How is that one defines their life and more importantly what makes life fulfilling to them. When they begin to understand those questions, college and the life experiences they are about to embark on no longer seem unsettling but instead a journey of self-discovery.
I think that is what our identity should be defined by. Identity is what you make it to be. In my opinion, it is society's way of categorizing individuals in a way that helps us answer the question of Who and Why. I am Dylan West. That should be enough for people. Life encompasses identity and it is defined by our actions and choices to help us understand Who I Am for ourselves. It is not the actions themselves that define us but what we choose to take away from those moments that gives us a better sense of self-understanding. Those lessons we take away from those experiences are what should influence our lives in a positive way.
Two years ago, I was on staff at Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp in Kalispell, MT. This was without a doubt the most life changing experience for me simply because I lived and explored what was important to me, faith and life, in an environment where so many others shared that similar desire. It amazes me to this day how those experiences and this staff continue to remind me of what I am capable of doing with my life. When you are a part of a community, like camp, you begin to explore for yourself what matters most as you turn your complex lifestyle into one of simplicity. (Shower or No Shower- We love you. Dock Talks. Staff Bonding on Weekends. Peak a Mountain, Eat Lunch, and then climb back down). Discover for yourself what you are capable of achieving and let those moments define who you are. For me, that is what life is all about. Now while I can't continue to peak a mountain on my lunch break in Iowa, you begin to realize the adventure and the experiences we have whether day-to-day or just throughout life become the central part in defining the life your want to live and more importantly who you want to be. These moments are what set me up to better understand what I am capable of achieving and the great opportunities that await me in this coming year.