Life Can Be Like Fireworks on the Fourth of July



Fireworks from "Fourth on Flagler" over the Intracoastal.

The Fourth of July is always an important time of remembrance for our country. For this year's Fourth of July holiday, I saw a spectacular  fireworks show at the "Fourth on Flagler" event in downtown West Palm Beach. The show was above the Intracoastal along Flagler Drive, right in front of the PBA campus.  

According to the website of The Massachusetts Historical Society, on July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote the following in a letter to his wife Abigail regarding the celebration of Independence Day:  
"It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore."

Seeing the illuminations or fireworks is my favorite part of the holiday. As I watched the show with a group of friends, I thought about how my life has been like a bunch of fireworks in the sky -- each role I have in my life is like each individual firework.  

Lately, I have been thinking about how to juggle life as a student, daughter and sister, friend, an employee, a young woman, and life as a Christian.  And in the juggling, some of my friendships started to diminish, it was frustrating to see them fall apart.  Luckily, I was able to get together with those friends for the fireworks show, and we regained momentum. 

All of these roles that "light up my life" are each like the different fireworks, which lit up the sky on the Fourth of July in colors of blue, white, green and red.  Ultimately, it takes a lot of planning for a fireworks show to look good, and it takes just as much time, if not more, to organize my life for it to turn out good, as well.  Additionally, even though each individual firework looks good in the sky on its own, together, they create an amazing show. As much as I would like to focus on being perfect in one role of my life, I remind myself the different roles I have keep me well rounded.

I know that a lot of planning for the fireworks in downtown allowed the thousands of people in attendance to enjoy a spectacular event. Although everything in my life does not seem to add up all the time, just like how it's possible for the fireworks go off at the wrong time, I know with a little practice God will help my life come together like a beautiful illumination. 

PBA Students and the World LEADERS Conference


Last week, students had a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet, hear or even just catch a glimpse of some of the most influential leaders around the world.  The World LEADERS Conference took place the morning and afternoon of April 18 and 19 in the DeSantis Family Chapel at Palm Beach Atlantic University.  Through PBA's event coordinator, students were invited to volunteer for the conference.

Early morning volunteer group of PBA students

 
PBA Students Volunteer and Attend

I decided to volunteer April 18 helping out in the front of the chapel by checking attendees’ name badges, as well as working with the backstage production crew.  Throughout the day, I was able to catch a glimpse of many of the speakers. While volunteering, I had a blast with the other volunteers.   Plus, it was great to see that the attendees and staff were grateful for our presence and assistance with the conference. 

 Besides students who were volunteering for the conference, there were several other students who attended the conference with seating.  Through hearing a variety of speakers, PBA students gained a deeper understanding of the meaning of a "leader."  I know that students who attended the conference will apply these skills to their lives at school, as a majority of them are already currently student leaders on campus.

Blair speaks at the World LEADERS Conference

Former Prime Minister of Britain Tony Blair

Luckily, as a student volunteer, I was selected along with one other student to work during the afternoon when Former Prime Minister of Britain Tony Blair gave his speech.  I worked with the production crew, and then attended a reception in the Rotunda of the Warren Library for a photo opportunity with Former Prime Minister Blair.  Although it was a rare experience to introduce myself to him, it was his words of advice during the conference that was a gift beyond compare.

There were three aspects of Former Prime Minister Blair's outlined seven steps for leaders that stuck out to me as goals for improving my own leadership. For example, he encouraged the audience to use problems for motivation, instead of frustration.  He also suggested using a balance of humility and self-belief in leadership. Finally, he asked us to remember to always thank God for the blessings in our life.   

These three small examples of leadership advice have deeply pierced my heart, and will help me with my leadership journey at PBA. Overall, it is encouraging to see how an experienced world leader, such as Former Prime Minister Blair, is willing and able to express leadership advice in a way that is relatable to those who have yet to gain his experience. 

The Season of the Spirit

Christmas Tree in Cityplace

Christmas in West Palm Beach and at PBA truly helps one find joy in the season. 

Just steps away from campus, there is a Christmas tree more than 40-feet tall with thousands of twinkling lights in the heart of CityPlace, a shopping and entertainment center.  Plus, by the tree you can even see "snow" falling from the palm trees, scheduled on the hour.  Just last Saturday was the Palm Beach holiday boat parade of lights, where boats of all sizes traveled along the Intracoastal.  This week at PBA, everyone has been decorating Christmas trees, baking cookies for parties and buying presents for secret Santa games. 

Speaking of snow, when I was a child living up north, I remember throwing pieces of cotton around the family room if we didn't have a white Christmas.  I thought it would make Santa more jolly coming to our house!  However, once I grew older, my view of the Christmas became challenged.  Since that time, I became the scrooge of my family when the Christmas season came around.  I thought Christmas music was cheesy.  I banned the color red from my wardrobe.  I would go through the motions at festivities.  Additionally, even with attending all of these wonderful Christmas activities in West Palm and at PBA this semester, the spirit in my heart had still been lacking. 

I found a rekindling of Christmas not only by reminiscing for this blog entry, but also by reaching a breaking point in my life this week.  The meaning of Christmas reignites the spirit again when it's finally shattered in to tiny, little pieces.  After I had listened to some Christian music for encouragement, I faced my anti-holiday feelings by listening to more Christmas music.  As my holiday Pandora station played "Christmas Cannon" by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, I found in my heart "The joy that He brings."  The song lyrics are vague, but it relates to having the spirit of a child in Christmas, such as I did before.  Most importantly, this Christmas spirit  parallels with having the faith of a child in loving Christ.

I hope you also recieve a renewed sense of spirit in both Christmas and Christ the Lord during this holiday season. See you in 2012!

'Major' Road Work Ahead

When I picture choosing a major for a degree, I see it as driving down the road of life. 

We often have a path envisioned in our minds that is smoothly paved for the ride ahead.  However, the potholes and bumps of difficulties in life can make the journey an off-road adventure.  As much as we hate construction work on major roads, we also often have trouble accepting the necessary time to fix issues.  And, picking the right vehicle is also important.  Palm Beach Atlantic University is the vehicle that I have chosen to navigate my career path. 

This week, I attended a career seminar offered by PBA’s Student Success office.  I had recently felt like I had lost control of the wheel, with the semester ending quickly and having no final destination.  However, the seminar was helpful in affirming my decision on a major, and potential career options. 

When I first decided to come to PBA, I was unsure of what major to choose -- a roadblock.  Initially, I thought Nutrition would be a possibility in order to fulfill my goal of helping others. Except, I didn’t have a passion for science.  I took a detour toward a major in Communication, which was inspired by a social media project I was involved with in high school. 

Nonetheless, here I am, nearly midway through my sophomore year reaching another roadblock.  Much to my dismay, even completing a minor with my Communication major would leave me a semester short of the credits required to reach the finish line at PBA and graduate my senior year.  With no desire to take electives senior year, I am filling up the tank and plan to double major in Communication and English.  This is a perfect route to take because English is one of my passions.  Beginning next semester, I will begin to test drive the English courses on the road to my majors.

What kinds of "major" road work are you encountering?

Intrapersonal Discovery at the Intracoastal

I would like to share with you all, a groundbreaking discovery of mine this week while sitting on the Intracoastal Waterway seawall.  Every day I have overlooked such an amazing place to take my thoughts and run with them, sometimes literally, with the many runners along the sidewalk there.  I definitely hit a wall these past days, and I’m thankful that I was able to climb the "wall" and sit upon it this week. 



Sitting on the Seawall at Intracoastal

I'm not saying that the seawall is some magical place. It was just a place, as I walked back from class, where I was able to take two seconds of my day to find peace.  In the midst of the chaotic life, with work, school and relationships, God was giving me a chance to be content.  Really, how difficult should it be to take ten minutes a day to breathe deeply among all the congestion we are surrounded by in life?  I don't find it a coincidence that fall break is coming up Friday for us all to relax after midterms.  As we enjoy wonderful festivities, family and friends, let us break from any burdens or sins hanging us down. 



View of Palm Beach Island

Recently, I have felt a great need to satisfy others around me, like my parents, friends, and professors.  I also have felt like I haven't had time for personal hobbies and interests, or even sleep, all of which keep me from being cranky.  The best ways that I find myself relaxing are through reading, writing and spending time appreciating nature.  Where ever you find tranquility, be it in the company of others or the privacy of your room, I challenge you to increase your flow of life and simply appreciate God’s goodness

   

With that said, I have a short story about being surrounded by God's goodness. 

Last night as I was walking back from a meeting, I passed Christian Sampson, a Sailfish Dinning employee, walking and talking about the Word as always with his Bible.  I said hello and asked him how he was, and his answer touched me when he said "Blessed."  All of a sudden, tears rolled down from my eyes in such gratitude as I walked home. We typically answer that question with "Good." or "Fine, thanks." Christian's genuine response was so real to me.  Whatever is going on in life, through the ups and downs, we really are blessed. 
***
Where do you find tranquility on or near the PBA campus?

Testing the Waters at PBA

Enjoying Palm Beach

Are you "making waves" at Palm Beach Atlantic University?  Do you want to know about events here at PBA, locally and nationally? Once you take a swim around, you will start to see the ripple effects happening in your life at this "oceanic" campus!

My journey to PBA began at the end of my junior year in high school when I heard about PBA through a friend.  I had been going to the beaches of Palm Beach for five years prior to attending, but had never noticed the school.  I guess it goes to show how good things can sometimes be hard to find!

Like for many of you, PBA being a small, yet growing Christian university greatly appealed to me.  Until I spent a year here, I never knew what an impact I could make in other's lives.  I truly sought a servant's heart because I could see God's light present through others here. 

I chose to make waves at PBA this year as a sophomore majoring in communication. Is it ironic that being homeschooled until senior year is what spurred this interest in communication? That, along with sports, projects and programs I participated in, which involved all levels of communication including cultural and interpersonal. 

Why am I here writing this blog do you ask? Well, for the said reasons above, and to try something new for my workplace.  Most importantly, I want to discuss a plethora of topics that are interests, concerns or ideas of the everyday PBA student, faculty, parents and friends.  With this blog I want to be the eyes, ears and a potential voice for everyone who has an interest in PBA. 

Please feel more than welcome to e-mail me with questions, and absolutely leave me a comment for negative/positive feedback.

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