Core Values
"Your beliefs become your thoughts. Your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions. Your actions become your habits. Your habits become your values. Your values become your destiny."
--Mahatma Gandhi
Believe
I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.
--C.S. Lewis
My faith is important to me because it is where I draw the peace I need to stabilize my life. Confident in God's love, I am able to appreciate the gifts and opportunities I have been given. I hope to live in a way that reflects His love to the people around me.
Love
Friendship is the purest love. It is the highest form of Love where nothing is asked for, no condition, where one simply enjoys giving.
--Osho
A main priority in my life is my family and friends. My family has sacrificed so much for me and my education. They constantly challenge me to be a better person. I also highly value spending time with friends. In college, my circle of friends has helped me see new perspectives of life. They have given me a sense of community that has allowed me to grow in this new stage of my life. It is important to me to set aside time to cultivate my relationships and relax with friends.
Respect
Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners.
--Laurence Sterne
Respect is about honoring the value and dignity in every individual, including myself. I need to be patient with myself and learn from my mistakes. I also have to understand my needs and maintain balance in my life. It also is important for me to be genuine with others and honest in what I say and do. Another integral component of respect is making an effort to understand and listen to others. Respect is about being considerate of others, and treating them the way I would like to be treated.
Serve
Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't need a college degree to serve... You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.
--Martin Luther King, Jr.
I am here today because of the many people who have generously invested time and energy in me. They taught me that true leadership begins with selfless service. These individuals have inspired me to see the best in others and encourage them to see their potential. I believe that I am called to serve those around me in whatever small way I can, whether by listening to a friend talk about their day or volunteering at a food drive.
Learn
The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives.
--Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein described himself as "passionately curious." He never stopped marvelling at the world around him. That is the attitude I strive to have. There is so much to learn from listening to people, investing myself in my classes, reading extensively, traveling the world, and reflecting on my experiences. I do not want to become complacent and lose interest in the life and stories that surround me. I hope to stay curious and become a lifelong learner.