Finding Out Who I Am, One Day At A Time.

This is kind of a revised plan of service/tell-all about myself. My first post was so rushed, and I feel like I didn't put very much thought into it. So, here goes.

When I first heard that we had to develop a service platform for the Honors Program, so many different ideas flooded my mind. Maybe that's because there are so many things that I am truly passionate about - most of which have affected me personally. I am already indecisive enough as it is, but adding numerous thoughts and ideas to the mix makes developing a single service platform practically impossible for me. Unfortunately, I am only one person, and I can't possibly fix every problem I encounter, or volunteer with every organization that piques my interest. A tough realization, but one that is oh so true.

I guess this is just one more instance where I have to step back and realize that I can only take things one day at a time. I don't have to have everything planned out right now. I'm still struggling with that one, to be honest. I want to do so much in this lifetime, so I find myself keeping my head in the future and missing out on what is occurring right now. 

Maybe I'm trying to accomplish all of these things in order to figure out who I am. As if those things are going to help me figure it out any faster. Instant gratification, if you will. 

I have decided that I am going to volunteer where I can, and see where this semester leads me.

To make a long story short (and to keep myself from rambling), I am making a pledge to myself:

-I will try my hardest to live in the present, and not worry about what the future brings.

             "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come." -Proverbs 31:25 

-I will not base my own self-worth on what others think of me.

             "You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you." -Song of Solomon 4:7

-I will help others at every opportunity. 

             "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." -John 15:12

-I will not doubt my God's love for me. 

              "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you." -Psalm 73:25

-I will glorify God in all that I do. 

              "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you,       

               I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." -Isaiah 41:10

I will find out who I am, one day at a time.

Always, Kalee

Kay Parker - The Healing Place

Honors Forum II: September 10, 2012

Well it seems as if the stars aligned in  my favor this time! Our first speaker in the Honors Forum was none other than Ms. Kay Parker, Director of The Healing Place. Sound familiar?

If you read my previous post, you'll know that I have decided to volunteer at The Healing Place to fulfill part of my service platform. Needless to say, hearing Kay speak about what she has helped accomplish through The Healing Place truly solidified my decision to volunteer.

The Healing Place is a center that provides grief support for children and teens, as well as some adults. Kay expressed that she has personally seen so many tears turned into smiles. She is truly passionate about what she does, and we are all blessed to have someone like her helping make such a difference in our community. Kay is truly an inspiration. It just goes to show that ordinary people with faith can do extraordinary things.

Not only did Kay inspire me, but she also made me think. At one point during the Honors Forum she posed the question, "What would you do for a living even if you didn't get paid for it?" I immediately had an answer: I would work with animals and children. Before being asked the question, I had never considered the fact that I could turn my passions for animals and helping others into a career path. My career goal is to take in rescue animals and train them to help people through animal-assisted therapy. It may sound, crazy but I WILL make it happen!

After the Honors Forum on Monday, I attended volunteer training at The Healing Place on Tuesday. It is an absolutely wonderful place, and I cannot wait to help out. To say that I'm excited would definitely be an understatement.

Always, Kalee

Civic Engagement

Honors Forum II: August 27, 2012

Well, back to blogging! It's completely unreal that I am now a sophomore in college. Nevertheless, with a new year of college comes another semester of the Honors Forum. This semester, our forum is all about civic engagement; in other words, service. As honor students, we have been asked to develop our own service platform. I didn't have to think very long, or very hard about my own service platform. My two main passions in life are animals, and helping others. My long term goal is to open a shelter for rescue animals, and train them to be used for animal assisted therapy. So.. if people help animals, why can't animals help people in return? Here's the thing.. THEY CAN! In order to fulfill my service platform of helping both animals and people, I have decided to spend my spare time volunteering at both The Healing Place, a center that provide grief counseling for children, teens, and adults, and the Pets Are Worth Saving (P.A.W.S.) animal shelter. Best of both worlds, right?!

I am so excited to see where this semester will lead me! Stay tuned to find out!

Always, Kalee