Words of Wisdom inspired by Chris Staley

As part of our activity last Friday after reflecting on the talk by Chris Staley, students were asked to write down words of wisdom (Limmerick or otherwise!) that they would give to a first year student coming into their organization.  In 2 minutes or less, what would you have wanted to know?  What have you learned?

The students answers were inspiring:

“Dream a dream, my friend.  Follow it, see where it goes. Then dream a new dream”
AND
“No man is an island”–quoted from John Donne
-Ben Dodge, WE ARE Campaign

“Whatever service project or event that you do, always try to give it your best effort and stay positive while doing it.  No matter how big or small the project is, it has a huge impact on somebody’s life even if it doesn’t seem that way at first.”

-Chelsea Reynolds, Students United Way

“What is service?  Service is love.  It’s making children’s days.  It’s making elderly people’s days.  It’s helping to create beauty for other people to enjoy.  It’s laughter. It’s friendship.  Service is a lifestyle”
-Evan Kohl, Circle K

“Talk to everyone and listen to what they have to day.”

-Jeff Amos, Alpha Phi Omega

“Get involved; take risks.
Maybe write some Limmericks
Meet new people; embrace your fears,
and most importantly cherish these years.”

-Mary Beth Sprang, Habitat for Humanity

“Your past can be put out of mind
as you tiptoe and test crossing the line
with the goal to grow
you’ll find opportunities will flow
with success, your world will be
            REDEFINED.”

-Rachel Popovich, Penn State Rotaract

“Service doesn’t ask you to change your lifestyle.  It doesn’t ask you to drop everything you’re doing, and it doesn’t judge you for what you can and cannot do.  Service allows you to be the best ‘you’ that you can be.  It helps you appreciate what you have just a little bit more and enhances yours life by letting you know that you were able to help 1 person, 5 people, or 1,000 people in a small act of kindness.”
-Rebecca Davies, Penn State Rotaract

“Get involved, because that is where you are going to build the friendships that will last–these will be the memories that you remember.  You never know who you will meet, what you will learn if you get involved, but you will definitely won’t have the opportunity if you don’t get involved.”
-Zane Douglass, Penn State Rotaract

And, then, some anonymous inspiration:
“The best advice I can offer is branching out and getting involved immediately.  Joining a part of the community is the best way to feel part of a new community.  Taking on a task to help others is the most transformational experience in life.  Service provides this experience to join a part of the community and give back.”

“It’s okay not to know where you are going or exactly what you want.  Penn State will provide you with so many random and unexpected opportunities–follow at least one of these opportunities and see where it takes you. I have become a part of many activities and organizations by chance–and now, I can’t imagine my time at Penn State without them.”

“Service is the best
A sense of identity
it will provide you”

“Don’t forget who you are. Always bring yourself to what you do.  Remember who you want to become and where you want to go.  Realize that anything you do is going to affect the world and the people around you…so do something good.”

“It is never too early to start getting involved and attend every event you can; I’ve made some of my best friends this way.  Run for a leadership position.  Nothing is better than challenging yourself and challenging those running for the position as well.  You will only make everyone better–for through adversity comes greatness both to yourself and to your organization.”

“You have to start by pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.  Getting involved with clubs, service organizations, dance teams, ANYTHING–it means rethinking your own identity.  Once you find yourself in what you do, especially in what you do for others, you’ll grow as a person.”

“You never know the difference you make.  A smile, a song, a lesson.  You never know what makes it click.  Every kid grows up to change the world.  Help them learn to make good changes, not bad.”

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