What To Consider In Order To Become A Successful Student: #11

What To Consider In Order To Become A Successful Student: #11

Prepare for class. As one of my professors said, “If you don’t know enough about a subject already, lectures are a pretty poor way to learn.” You have to read the material eventually, so you may as well read it before class. It’s amazing how much more meaningful the material is the second time you are exposed to it.

I’m realizing more and more through the adventures of life that “happiness” truly isn’t a destination, but rather a way of traveling; a by-product of living a meaningful life and appreciating everything we encounter along our path. When we live with purpose and gratitude, we become an example to those around us. #travelfreely #livefully #itisachoice #bethechange #deployyourbest #setanexample #paths #thesimplepleasures #enjoyit #traveloften (at Alum Cave Trail)

The Circus Elephant

Do you know what circus trainers do to keep a circus elephant from escaping? After every performance has been witnessed by the audience and once the show is officially over, the trainers clamp a metal chain onto a collar around the mighty elephant’s leg - where the chain is attached to a small, wooden peg that’s hammered into the ground. The 10-foot tall, 5,000 kg brute is more than capable in accomplishing the task of snapping the chain, uprooting the wooden peg without requiring any effort, and escape. However, that is not what happens. In fact, it does not even try. The world’s largest and most powerful land animal, which can uproot a tree as easily as you and I could break a toothpick, remains tied down by a small peg and a flimsy chain. How come? It’s because when the elephant was a baby, its trainers used exactly the same methods. A metal cuff was placed firmly around it’s leg, but the difference arises by having the wooden peg replaced with a sturdy metal stake hammered firmly in the ground. The chain and stake were strong enough for the baby elephant in order to prevent it from escaping. So, if it would try to break away, the metal chain would pull it back. In most cases, the elephant would pull harder resulting in the metal cuff to deeply wound the young calf’s leg by penetrating deep within its hide and cause it to bleed. Through many attempts and after suffering enough pain, the baby elephant finds no reason in continuing to break free from the shackles and stops trying all together.

Once the elephant is older, regardless of the fact that the same chain and wooden peg is used to tie it down, it remembers the pain that it felt as a baby and does not attempt in freeing itself. So, even though it’s just a chain and a little wooden peg, the elephant stands still. It remembers its limitations, and knows that it can only move as much as the chain will allow. It does not matter that the metal stake has been replaced by a wooden peg. It does not matter that the 100 kilo baby is now a 5,000 kilo powerhouse. However, the elephant’s belief prevails.

If you think about it, we are all like the circus elephant. We all have incredible strength and capabilities within ourselves. We have all of the necessary tools to achieve any goal that we choose to set for ourselves. However, we have our own chains and pegs of our own - our self-limiting beliefs that prevent us from moving forward. Sometimes it’s a childhood experience or an early failure. Sometimes it’s something we were told when we were younger. Time then to ask the question: “What’s holding you back?” What’s your chain and what’s your wooden peg?

You cannot be successful and help others if you are sleep deprived, malnourished, or out of shape. Take care of yourself. Find a balance and don’t let go of what defines you.

advice from a professor on my first day of grad school 

(via

runningmandz

)

“Wise words. I have to remind myself sometimes to put myself first. Not in an arrogant sense mind you. By putting yourself first you will become more aware in how you can make yourself better, healthier, in body and in spirit. Reflect in what you are setting out to do and think of how your actions will affect your decision in pursuing what you are planning on doing.”

 - CSRead

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a lesson on nonbinary individuals and why we feel the way we do about numerous basic things, such as the mere fact of our existence and our pronouns.

My grandmother is one of a few individuals whom I consider to be inspirational. In everything that she does, each moment is an opportunity in learning something or doing something constructive. There is always something that needs to be done and if one believes otherwise than obviously they are very idle-minded. I cannot thank her enough for keeping me on my toes and for teaching me the importance of diligence and consistency. Strive to be better and accomplish any goal that you want to achieve through hard work and perseverance.