Glory, Glory

http://uga.tumblr.com/post/1345718397/i-go-to-athens-because-it-reminds-me-of-why-we-are

This has been going around Facebook today.  I finally got a chance to read it when I got home, and man, was it worth the wait.

I haven't been back to Athens, GA in a long time. This picture was taken when I went back for my sister's graduation in August 2012.  I was hit with so many memories and nostalgia that it was almost overwhelming.  I have some amazing memories of this place.  I also have some not-so-amazing memories. But, overall, it is a place that is dear to my heart.

Any of us who have spent time in Athens know what a magical place it is.  As much as I love Colorado State University and Fort Collins...it just isnt the same. I have been so fortunate to have found a little piece of UGA out here in Colorado.  My UGA Alumni group means so much to me--these guys just remind me of home. Being Dawgs and Georgians, we have something in common that cant be explained. It is comforting knowing they "get" me, and amazing knowing that I have a group to share my enthusiasm with. Being a part of the Northern Colorado Dawgs has been so wonderful for me in so many ways.  I am so grateful for this group; when I am really missing Georgia, I feel better knowing that my group is here and that they "get" it, too.

I miss gamedays in Athens, but, I know I have the next best thing with my NoCo Dawgs!

GO DAWGS!

Prayers for Boston

http://www.businessinsider.com/inspiring-images-from-boston-2013-4

Wow. I just saw this link and the pictures and captions brought tears to my eyes. I've been watching the coverage of the bombings in Boston for most of the day.  Like most people, I kept thinking, "WHO could do this!? HOW is this happening!? WHAT is this world coming to!?"

What I wasnt thinking was, "Wow! Look at all of these people helping other people!" I was so focused on how evil human beings could be that I never thought about how amazing they could be, as well. Many first responders, bystanders, and other runners ran towards the blasts; the hospitals said they had enough donated blood and didnt need any more at the time.  Why dont we focus on this? Why cant we focus on this?

Is it in our nature to focus on the gruesome and horrific? Or, do we just replay these events over and over because we want answers to the endless questions that these tragedies raise? Despite my education and chosen profession, I dont know the answer to this. I make a living studying and analyzing human nature, yet I still have no idea how or why someone could do this. But, what I do know is that out of tragedies like Columbine, 9/11, and Sandy Hook, the outpouring of human compassion continues to astound me.

What if we were to focus on the heroes instead of the horror? Wouldnt that prove that we are a nation that values unity and selflessness? I think we are. Facebook and Twitter and CNN and other media outlets are showing that.

God Bless the USA and all those affected by the bombings at the Boston Marathon.

"I mean...like....you know..."

Let's all take a second to reflect on our teen years. Braces, bangs, white eyeliner, this really gross tiger-striped, sequined shirt from Kohls that I wore to an 7th grade dance...

Now, take a second to imagine what it is like now. Sure, kids still have braces, bangs, wear too much eyeliner, and probably have a heinous shirt in their closet, but there is so much more.  Chances are that these kids arent going to look back on the awful outfits they wore (ok, some might), but on the awful Facebook message a frenemy sent them calling them a slut or the time they were harassed for being a little bit different.

I know I have reflected on this before, but it has been on my mind again since starting my second girls group.  This is a group for middle school girls meant to help them learn about themselves, learn tolerance for others, and build self-esteem. The girls could not be more different from each other: one is athletic and one has a shaved head and piercings.  One's very conservative and religious and one claims there is no God. One has straight As and one rarely comes to school. And that is only six of them.   But all of them are dealing with the same things. They all have something in common-- they are 13 and 14 year old girls trying to navigate the halls of their junior high school, hoping to come out on the other end relatively unscathed.

All that these girls want is some attention and knowledge that they are not the only ones.  They feel like there is a spotlight on them and an audience watching every move; they want to know that others are going through the same things.  A little bit of attention goes a long way.

 I encourage any of you who interact with teens girls to slow down and listen, even if every story begins with "I mean...like..." and ends with "...you know?"  Because every Thursday I listen to all of that times 15. And it is worth it.