Trust the Process
The 20s are all about having faith in yourself and others. Belief is one of the most powerful motivators known to man. Whether you're religious/spiritual or not, we all acknowledge that some things are true. There are times when we have to let go, take a back seat, and let things work out. We may not see the big picture but we play our part and things often fall into place. When we step back and take a look, the cartography is more amazing than we ever could have imagined. Are you ready to trust the process?
The phrase trust the process may hands down be the saying makes the most annoyed for a variety of reasons. You know that one of the things I have the most difficulty with is following others when I'm not in control, and also trusting people (but those #trustissues tho). Nonetheless I'm expected to fall in lone, march on, and carry out orders. Well the difference is this isn't Call of Duty. I'm not a soldier obeying orders. I'm not unaware of the greater goal. I have the freedom to choose my objectives and how I want to accomplish them (to a certain extent). I can radio for help (if or when I need it) and there's a rapport built that placates the uneasiness of it all. Trust down here on Earth takes a relationship and a little proof. No matter how pointlessly tedious I find a task or exercise I can take comfort in knowing that it serves a larger purpose. Learning can be tiring and long winded but doing so helps prepare you for the gigantic days where you're waging wars to win people over, make their days and introduce them to your cause. I realized I was way more prepared than I had initially thought. My skepticism with orientation was alleviated and my buy-in was cashed in. There are moments in your life where you realize you're exactly where you're supposed to be. I had a few of those during my first orientation session and I wouldn't have it any other way. You just trust the process.
Things I cannot stand about summer is fakeness when it comes to people. I understand everyone goes their separate ways for the summer but I make a point to at least contact people once a week just to check how they're doing. All of a sudden people were snapchatting me nonstop and I had no intention nor did I respond. You redefined our relationship (aka it's nonexistent) and you'll live with it - I already have. It makes me audibly chuckle because people will come out of the woodwork and act like my life revolves around them (hell to the no, my life goes on with or without out). I trust the process that people show their true colors with time and you realize they are nothing more than fifty shades of blasé. Each orientation session with a prep day where we get everything ready for the impeding flood of parents and families that overtake our campus. I was tasked with organizing key which touch a good four hours. You make it fun, you do your part, and trust that you're work is worthwhile. Our group broke for lunch and I helped Sam (what number is this of Sam's in my life, probably like #5 or 6) make signs for family housing. After that it was hang out in the staff lounge where people were trading digs and putting their materials together for the impending big day. Early arrival students were swirling about and it was time for me to turn it on, get down to business, and prove why they're all the hype behind who I am and how I show up. It was a late night and I was so excited I could barely sleep (like the Fairly Odd Parents Wishmas episode). I was nervous as hell and frankly scared shatless but I knew had to pick it up (no fear; Cloud 9 - actually a pretty good DCOM). I hit the sack and set multiple alarms. It was about to go down, ready or not, I had to trust the process.
The story of my life is that I'm perpetually late. That's like my thing. You know I'll make it, but just a few minutes later than I initially predict. I dressed up, rolled my sleeves (but those cuffs tho), applied sunscreen, tied my bandana around my leg, grabbed my clipboard and headed downstairs as my fellow orientation leaders called me. I hopped in Kelsey's car with David, Benjy, and Heather as we rolled into Dunkin' Donuts at 6AM 10 people deep. Sipping on blueberry peach iced tea we all sat for breakfast back at Harris-Millis residence hall for our staff meeting. If I tell you I was petrified it would be an understatement. I was visibly shaking. We broke and it was time to turn it on (it being that special charm that is the very best of who I am). It clicked real fast and I was instantly back to being the me I'd been for the past 3 years as a college student leader. I was paired up with Dominic and we worked the student check-in for last names early on in the alphabet. I grabbed water bottles, backpacks, and name-tags, made first contact with anxious first year students and did my very best to smile, make jokes, and ease the awkwardness. All of us who were down there found our rhythm real fast and soon were helping each other out maximizing line efficiency. The process was at work, Kay Blair, Mike Davis and I were switching in and out picking one another up when we needed it. That was when I knew first that I was in the right place. We had teambuilt and this was us in real life going ham. Three hours later it was on to the big welcome at the Ira Allen Chapel where I walked with Alicia and Aina to our pump up session. It was really about to happen. I stood in line in front Megan and breathed deep. Our director, Ferene, announced us and soon I was running in the aisles of the pews up on stage, yelling my lungs out and bringing some high energy. My turn to introduce self came faster than I expected and it went well. I looked out into the crowd and even had time for a signature smile/talk. We did it and we were dismissed with our orientees to begin our day. I trusted the process to take where I need to go.
This was it, I was leading 14 complete strangers. I just was being myself and let them in on my love for pop culture references, laughter, and intentional awkwardness real fast. We moved from wariness to comfortable goofiness like that and that made the difference for the rest of the day. Each one of them came up with a handshake and found their "Joey" or their roommate/buddy for the day it. The "Joey Check" were so cool to see and I think made our group all the more invested. I gave an impromptu tour of campus and soon it was time for lunch. We sat together and it was awesome to see people forming bonds so quickly. On to an advising session where my knowledge my college was tested and I think I passed. I let them go and went to prepare for the Block Party. More sessions on housing/dining on campus and dinner crept right on up. I was pooped and had some time to take a 30 minute break before I was back on my grind. I was a tent bouncer and then helped direct people out as we moved on to our social justice introduction. My group was called and they cheered the loudest for me and it hit my right in the feels, they truly made my day with that. I facilitated a conversation around identity representation and what it meant to my group to be in community. Straight down to the block party where went where I mingled in the casino room before breaking down on the dance floor. Honestly, the night was too much damn fun. I was getting my party on with Jessica, Benjy, Maddie, Sam and so many others. We just came together and created an upbeat atmosphere that people wanted to be apart of. It was so cool to be able to help connect people in that space. I went too hard hitting my moves and ended riding on a golf cart after midnight. I enjoyed my group of orientees so much I stayed up to write each one of them an individual note. The process had worked out for the day so far, and there was another up ahead.
Showered, changed clothes, and greeted my orientees with my classic deep scratchy morning voice. I said some reminders, handed out their notes and bid them farewell. I caught a bus and was it was off to Waterman to help with schedules. I sat with a few students and went overtime on helping them create idealized schedules. I was running late to my next shift and ended up being a brunch tent bouncer and moving people around to the proper entrance. Ten minutes left to eat so I scarfed down some food and sped off to the library to sit with Kelsey and Dom giving out pins for students to register with. It was interesting to see each person's expressions and to be able to give a little hope just by smiling, wishing them good luck or complimenting them. As each students walked out I said goodbye and eventually the afternoon came to an end. Back to the homebase where I joined Kelsey and Ben H. for sign run (retrieving signs all over campus that had been set out for directions). It was absolutely hilarious. I was hot, sweaty, and was jumbling around unsecured in a van. By the end of it I was exhausted but it was definitely an experience I will never forget. Most people were gone by now so a lot of us were set to remove sheets from beds, empty trash bins and close windows. After some time we crashed in the staff lounge before a quick debrief. Everyone was more than spent. I have never been so tired in my entire life but also never have I ever been more fulfilled. It was a crazy few days but the process hadn't let me down and I was ready to take a break but excited to do it again. Bring the beat in, and let the sequel start. Trust the process is a go.
My blog post question for the day is ... how does trusting the process work for you? Well I just answered this one but in short, I'll do it and it works out and I see the bigger picture then I'm down to keep on keeping on.
Things I cannot stand about summer is fakeness when it comes to people. I understand everyone goes their separate ways for the summer but I make a point to at least contact people once a week just to check how they're doing. All of a sudden people were snapchatting me nonstop and I had no intention nor did I respond. You redefined our relationship (aka it's nonexistent) and you'll live with it - I already have. It makes me audibly chuckle because people will come out of the woodwork and act like my life revolves around them (hell to the no, my life goes on with or without out). I trust the process that people show their true colors with time and you realize they are nothing more than fifty shades of blasé. Each orientation session with a prep day where we get everything ready for the impeding flood of parents and families that overtake our campus. I was tasked with organizing key which touch a good four hours. You make it fun, you do your part, and trust that you're work is worthwhile. Our group broke for lunch and I helped Sam (what number is this of Sam's in my life, probably like #5 or 6) make signs for family housing. After that it was hang out in the staff lounge where people were trading digs and putting their materials together for the impending big day. Early arrival students were swirling about and it was time for me to turn it on, get down to business, and prove why they're all the hype behind who I am and how I show up. It was a late night and I was so excited I could barely sleep (like the Fairly Odd Parents Wishmas episode). I was nervous as hell and frankly scared shatless but I knew had to pick it up (no fear; Cloud 9 - actually a pretty good DCOM). I hit the sack and set multiple alarms. It was about to go down, ready or not, I had to trust the process.
The story of my life is that I'm perpetually late. That's like my thing. You know I'll make it, but just a few minutes later than I initially predict. I dressed up, rolled my sleeves (but those cuffs tho), applied sunscreen, tied my bandana around my leg, grabbed my clipboard and headed downstairs as my fellow orientation leaders called me. I hopped in Kelsey's car with David, Benjy, and Heather as we rolled into Dunkin' Donuts at 6AM 10 people deep. Sipping on blueberry peach iced tea we all sat for breakfast back at Harris-Millis residence hall for our staff meeting. If I tell you I was petrified it would be an understatement. I was visibly shaking. We broke and it was time to turn it on (it being that special charm that is the very best of who I am). It clicked real fast and I was instantly back to being the me I'd been for the past 3 years as a college student leader. I was paired up with Dominic and we worked the student check-in for last names early on in the alphabet. I grabbed water bottles, backpacks, and name-tags, made first contact with anxious first year students and did my very best to smile, make jokes, and ease the awkwardness. All of us who were down there found our rhythm real fast and soon were helping each other out maximizing line efficiency. The process was at work, Kay Blair, Mike Davis and I were switching in and out picking one another up when we needed it. That was when I knew first that I was in the right place. We had teambuilt and this was us in real life going ham. Three hours later it was on to the big welcome at the Ira Allen Chapel where I walked with Alicia and Aina to our pump up session. It was really about to happen. I stood in line in front Megan and breathed deep. Our director, Ferene, announced us and soon I was running in the aisles of the pews up on stage, yelling my lungs out and bringing some high energy. My turn to introduce self came faster than I expected and it went well. I looked out into the crowd and even had time for a signature smile/talk. We did it and we were dismissed with our orientees to begin our day. I trusted the process to take where I need to go.
This was it, I was leading 14 complete strangers. I just was being myself and let them in on my love for pop culture references, laughter, and intentional awkwardness real fast. We moved from wariness to comfortable goofiness like that and that made the difference for the rest of the day. Each one of them came up with a handshake and found their "Joey" or their roommate/buddy for the day it. The "Joey Check" were so cool to see and I think made our group all the more invested. I gave an impromptu tour of campus and soon it was time for lunch. We sat together and it was awesome to see people forming bonds so quickly. On to an advising session where my knowledge my college was tested and I think I passed. I let them go and went to prepare for the Block Party. More sessions on housing/dining on campus and dinner crept right on up. I was pooped and had some time to take a 30 minute break before I was back on my grind. I was a tent bouncer and then helped direct people out as we moved on to our social justice introduction. My group was called and they cheered the loudest for me and it hit my right in the feels, they truly made my day with that. I facilitated a conversation around identity representation and what it meant to my group to be in community. Straight down to the block party where went where I mingled in the casino room before breaking down on the dance floor. Honestly, the night was too much damn fun. I was getting my party on with Jessica, Benjy, Maddie, Sam and so many others. We just came together and created an upbeat atmosphere that people wanted to be apart of. It was so cool to be able to help connect people in that space. I went too hard hitting my moves and ended riding on a golf cart after midnight. I enjoyed my group of orientees so much I stayed up to write each one of them an individual note. The process had worked out for the day so far, and there was another up ahead.
Showered, changed clothes, and greeted my orientees with my classic deep scratchy morning voice. I said some reminders, handed out their notes and bid them farewell. I caught a bus and was it was off to Waterman to help with schedules. I sat with a few students and went overtime on helping them create idealized schedules. I was running late to my next shift and ended up being a brunch tent bouncer and moving people around to the proper entrance. Ten minutes left to eat so I scarfed down some food and sped off to the library to sit with Kelsey and Dom giving out pins for students to register with. It was interesting to see each person's expressions and to be able to give a little hope just by smiling, wishing them good luck or complimenting them. As each students walked out I said goodbye and eventually the afternoon came to an end. Back to the homebase where I joined Kelsey and Ben H. for sign run (retrieving signs all over campus that had been set out for directions). It was absolutely hilarious. I was hot, sweaty, and was jumbling around unsecured in a van. By the end of it I was exhausted but it was definitely an experience I will never forget. Most people were gone by now so a lot of us were set to remove sheets from beds, empty trash bins and close windows. After some time we crashed in the staff lounge before a quick debrief. Everyone was more than spent. I have never been so tired in my entire life but also never have I ever been more fulfilled. It was a crazy few days but the process hadn't let me down and I was ready to take a break but excited to do it again. Bring the beat in, and let the sequel start. Trust the process is a go.
My blog post question for the day is ... how does trusting the process work for you? Well I just answered this one but in short, I'll do it and it works out and I see the bigger picture then I'm down to keep on keeping on.
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