Reflection
LeaderShape, in one word, was transformative. I finished my first semester of college at a week-long Institute retreat in the middle of nowhere with 50 people I didn’t know, and by the end of it, I found myself wishing to go back in time so I could do it all again with new eyes.
How did that happen? Over the course of six days, we participated in small and large group discussions, simulated real life issues, and formed our own ideas of what we want the future to look like for ourselves and for the world. This certainly sounded like a lot to swallow as an 18 year old college freshman, but each one of these conversations struck a chord with me and with those around me.
Each day’s overarching theme brought a new focus, sometimes heavy in its “realness,” and it was incredibly special to me to listen and be listened to in our shared experiences and goals. I pushed myself to let go of worries about school and the rest of my life, and wandered (jumped) outside of my comfort zone by talking about myself and singing karaoke at one in the morning.
LeaderShape opened my eyes to the lives of those around me. I found myself thinking about education quite a bit, and how an educated society is a healthy one. None of the steps leading up to LeaderShape would have been possible without my own high school and beginning university education, not to mention the Institute itself.
As our plans to achieve our goals developed, I realized just how important this issue is to me, and how passionate I am in helping others reach their own goals. This shows through in my love of learning — one of my Clifton strengths, unsurprisingly.
Overall, it was so encouraging to share my inner brain space with close friends. And yes, six days really did bond us as a family. Being able to connect to others whom I didn’t know and truly open up and think and plan and laugh and cry with them was an unmatched experience. It showed me that you don’t have to be best friends with someone to emphasize with and understand them, and you don’t have to expect that for yourself. It showed me that everyone has their own inner victories and battles, and that doesn’t make them any more or less important than my own.
Most importantly, it showed me that we are all human. The emotional exhaustion that I felt by the end of the week was greatly downsized by how refreshed and encouraged I felt at the same time. And as for Day 7, the ongoing conclusion, I think that my biggest takeaway is to appreciate what I have in my life right now, act on it, and use it for the better.