"Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself and know that everything in this life has a purpose." - Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

today i am getting in touch with the silence. :) this semester has been a pretty busy one so far, . . . okay, a ridiculously busy one so far. :) everyday class/clinical starts at 6:30 or 7, i am not done with class/clinical until 3 or 4 and then the day merely begins. i workout somewhere in there (to maintain sanity mostly :)) and take my shower for the day, then it's on to a procession of assignments, or taking care of my fraternity business (as the vice president i kind of run the show), or doing outside visits for clinical, or . . . you get the point. it's pretty much a non-stop show til about 12 or 1. :) i can't complain because this is what i signed up for. i have come to embrace the fact that i conduct my life at a hectic pace, for some reason i prefer it right now. :) however, even i need a day to close up shop. today is that day for me, . . . . embracing the silence, . . . . :) (until work at 7pm-730am of course, i couldn't give myself the whole day off, hehe :))
keep on truckin :)
karen :)
- posted by Karen @ 12:23 PM

 
how to survive your shyness by really trying
"Why not go out on a limb? Isn't that where the fruit is?" - Frank Scully

sorry to have been a delinquent for so long, life has a way of engulfing me for days at a time. :) that having been said, on to the point. today's blog is about disowning your comfort zone. for example, i am naturally a soft spoken individual who often prefers listening to talking, especially in a new social situation. that is not a bad quality necessarily, however, it can very easily become a road block (to new friendships forming, to networking, to people giving you the time of day, . . . .you get the point :)). i have personally experienced all of these road blocks and i must say, . . . it wasn't worth it and i decided to try something new. when i start to feel wretchedly uncomfortable (like around new people) i stand up as tall as i can, take a deep breath, put on my smile (so key if you are a shy person, if you are not at least smiling then people will think you are stuck up), and force myself to talk to someone (it helps to have an arsenal of open ended questions that are universal conversation starters--genuine compliments are always a good call). my personal strategy is to get the other person talking about themselves (i like listening anyways :)) so that way they will appreciate your attention and automatically have pleasant feelings towards you, and also, if at any point, you can interject an interesting anecdote about your life, experience, or just a fun fact, absolutely don't hold it back, it'll probably be appreciated more than anything. no one will ever laugh at, ignore, or make fun of you and if by some chance that does happen, walk away immediately, that person is not worth one second of your time. :) if you're more on the shy side, embrace that quality in yourself but always remember not to hold yourself back and take a social step every now and again (even if you're not comfortable, and remember, most people aren't, no matter how well they present themselves). if you're on the outgoing side, remember those of us who are not and start a conversation with the most uncomfortable person around you (try listening for a while too, you may be surprised :)). that's all i got for now (sorry for being so long winded :)). everyone get out there and destroy your comfort zones!!!
karen :)

"He who hesitates is a damned fool." - Mae West (1892-1980)
"Opportunities multiply as they are seized." - Sun Tzu
- posted by Karen @ 9:32 AM

 
food for thought
"All that I have seen teaches me to trust the creator in all that I have not seen." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

i love this man's quotes and this one stirred me up inside. that's really all i have to say :)
karen :)
- posted by Karen @ 6:02 PM