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Volunteer from the heart, not from ambition
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For as long as I can remember, volunteering has always been a part of my life. In elementary school, families were encouraged to help around the community, so I would spend a few weekends working to take care of the garden. In middle school, students were required to complete several hours of community service,…
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Forgiveness opens opportunity for freedom
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The first thing I learned on my silent retreat last June, away from home and technology for four days in the heart of Los Angeles, was that you have to forgive yourself for your past mistakes before you can fully move forward. I remember the weight of the tea house smoke and the condensation…
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The fear of rejection creates inaction
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Fear allows us to survive; it is an emotion characterized by a perceived danger or threat that forces a fight or flight response. When we feel fear, our bodies experience a surge of stress that alerts us to take action and protect ourselves. Whether the fear one feels is real or imagined, the emotion…
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Aggressive coaches create quitters; kind coaches create winners
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Since March 24, a video of a girls’ high school basketball coach in New York aggressively yanking an athlete’s hair has been circling the internet, igniting outrage. The coach was fired and cited with harassment. From personal experience, I know that the energy a coach brings to the team can make or break an…
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I am plagued by an irrational fear of death
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For as long as I can remember, the lingering fear of death has consumed my every waking moment. Uncertainty of what happens after death and feeling as if I have no control has tormented me my whole life. Anxiety surrounding death prevents me from sleeping at night, as each time I close my eyes,…
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Age appropriateness is vital in the dance industry
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In second grade, I begged my parents to let me do competitive dance. However, they were extremely hesitant due to how unsuitable the dance competition world can be for kids. From revealing costumes to inappropriate moves, the industry of dance can be unsuitable for children. In order to create a safe and age appropriate…
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Free speech is in – only if it sells
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Social media is often viewed as a modern-day public square. And, to a certain extent, it may feel that way. Whether it’s memes, cooking videos or gossip, it seems as if there are scarce limits to what we can post online. However, if given some thought, some of the most widespread and popular public…
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The curse of the older sister
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I used to wish I could go back in time to redo my past mistakes. I would want to answer a test question differently, say something that I regretted withholding or maybe just order a different coffee from Starbucks. However, I have come to realize that I do not want or need a time…
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Solitude provides inner peace for the mind
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“She was happy. She lived for herself and enjoyed her own company. They called it loneliness, she knew it was freedom.” My thumb lingered over the quote on my carefully-crafted pinterest feed, not quite sure if I had read it correctly. Having seen one too many dystopian movies, I am never hesitant to admit…
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Dark humor fails to excuse racism
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I have often been labeled as “too sensitive” to the jokes my peers make, so I tend to keep my mouth shut when I am frustrated with what they have to say. But when an acquaintance looked me dead in the eye to tell me that he hates Black people, then paused and giggled…