Does Work Really Come First?

This is a question that's boggled my mind for years. And in a society like ours, the answer of whether work comes first or not seems to be yes. Most of us choose time sheets over quality time; meetings over family meet-ups; coffee over a deep sleep beside our significant other.

As a Christian, I try to frame work as an extension of God's ministry. He has equipped each of us with talents that nobody else has. While our careera may overlap, the exact gift we bring to them is unique.

Looking at work this way helps me realize that there is so much more to life than the 9-5 grind we are raised to strive for. Yet seeing that truth is hard, especially in the hyper-competitive world of college and career planning. Praying over it this past week, I came to this conclusion:

| When the office closes, remember who you come home to and what you surround yourself with. THOSE are the things that truly matter |

When you are stuck in miles of bumper-to-bumper traffic, think about the destination. Identify who you are coming home to.

Whether it be your spouse, children, parents, roommates, furry friend; these are the individuals that matter. They will be there for you when your boss lets you go or when your coworkers frustrate you to no end. They matter because God himself put them in your life to be a blessing:

| "(v.9) Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: (v.10) If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. " -Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10 |

But what if you live alone?

Understand that what you surround yourself with also matters. It could be your circle of friends who has weekly coffee dates. It could be your side hustle of blogging, crafting, cooking, or movie critiquing. Whatever it is; surround yourself with something outside of work.

I can personally say that lacking one or both of these things is cause for going insane. You have nobody to vent to, and no outlet to pour your desires, stresses, and mistakes into.

For all it is meant to do, work is not created to satisfy us. It is how we serve our society. But you also need a way to serve yourself, whether it be through the companionship of others or chasing your unique and amazing dreams.

So to anyone who asks, I firmly believe that work doesn't come first in my life. It is a means to an end, but it will never be the end of my meaning.

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~This is My Story~

7 Things You Didn't Know About Me...

You might be wondering: why? Like what has spurred this girl to randomly talk about herself?  

The funny answer is that I’m bored in the forest and crave contact that’s not mosquitos or frogs. The true answer is that I’ve been down on myself recently for hiding who I really am, and so in true Maddie-fashion, I decided to rectify this issue by being honest with all of you. 

Here goes nothing: 

 #1 I can’t stand feeling inadequate.  

Because I like to believe that I’m superwoman. And when life kicks me in the butt and takes my cape, I realize that I’m not. None of us are. Living up to unrealistic standards only leaves me sad, not successful. True power comes from being boss at your own thing and not someone else’s. 

#2 Orlando will always be my home  

It’s been my city forever (minus that one time I was born in Fairfax, VA). This is the place where my parents met and went to school (hint: CHARGE ON), where my brother was born, where I’ve spent countless Not-White Christmases, and now where I go to college. I choose Orlando because of its thriving, diverse heartbeat. No matter what, it will always be my home.

#3 I SUCK at remembering birthdays  

Or anniversaries. Or meetings. Or basically anything with a date that I need to remember. To anyone who’s been a victim of this painful truth, I am so so so so sorry. You have every right to berate me, honestly. Life without my agenda, Facebook and Apple Calendar would vv sad. Let’s just say that.  

 #4 I also suck at loving myself

High school was when the self-hate hit me hard. Looking at the bodies and personalities of my female classmates caused me to compare and doubt my worth. As many of you already know, this dangerous cycle led me to anorexia. It took months of tears, gripping conversations, and therapy before I mostly recovered. I say mostly because this is something I still struggle with; the idea of self-love. What helps me get through my down moments is my amazing Savior, who reminds me that there is beauty in the brokenness of my body. Always. 

#5 Pizza is my life food 

Switching from eating disorders to eating food? Most definitely! Pizza is something I could talk about (and eat) all day. Here’s why: it’s because of my unhealthy consumption of pizza that I overcome my anorexia. Sadly I can’t eat it that much anymore since I’m not, ya know, 99 pounds, but the memories remain. Pizza also has a special place in my ❤️ because it’s a food my boyfriend, TJ and I both L O V E. About 90% of our dates involved eating pizza, and when he’s not around next year, I can eat it and feel like he’s there, letting me eat his leftover crust pieces. 

#6 My life isn’t actually purple  

If you follow me on Insta, you’ll understand why I said this. My entire grid theme highlights the color purple and makes my life look all glamorous, as do filters on anyone else’s account. But honey, that just ain’t real! I use filters because my grid is a visual resume for potential employers. It’s not meant to paint an unrealistic picture of my life. Your Instagram shouldn’t, either. Be honest. Be true. Be you!!

#7 I wear contacts because I was bullied  

Four-eyed freak: the phrase that haunted me year after year as a child. I grew up with glasses and my classmates knew it. Coupled with puberty pudginess and acne, my glasses were the only thing needed to label me as a nerd. Loser. Weirdo. 

I end with this truth because it hurt so. dang. much. It was a label that followed me up to high school. It was why I never went on dates and became so obsessed with how I looked and what others thought of me. The sad part is, I doubt any kid who called me that understood the lasting consequences of their actions. Getting contacts could never let me see past what I was labeled. 

So for any person who feels the same as I did—you are not alone. You are worth more than the label given to you because there is only one that matters: Child of God. 

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~Beyond Words~

5 Ways That Student Involvement Changed My Life

Tomorrow. On May 17th, 2018 at 5 p.m., I will swipe out for the last time as an employee of the UCF Office of Student Involvement. And honestly?

I will miss this place more than anything. 

Because of OSI, I found a home among the thousands of students at UCF. I found a place where I could embrace my individuality and grow my creativity. I found a safe haven from the stresses of academic life.

But more than anything, I found a family. 

People who never stopped believing in me and my UCF-BIG dreams. People who encouraged me to test myself when I doubted my ability to succeed. People who truly loved me.

I leave OSI forever impacted by my experience serving there. And for the Knights who will fill the positions I held, I leave with them a legacy to grow even more in the new year.

To any student who isn't involved, I challenge you to change that this year. UCF offers endless ways to get involved for every type of student. You just have to make the effort to find those opportunities, just like I did after hearing three words at freshman orientation: 

Involvement changes everything. 

Simple, but so, so accurate. As a student who came to campus feeling lost and alone, I needed these words to kick-start my UCF journey. Paying attention to them literally changed my life, including:

1. It helped me find my dream career: Which is essentially why any lost freshman gets involved. Very few of us come to college with a clear (or accurate) idea of what we want to do four years later. Because of OSI, and more specifically the OSI Street Team, I got my first taste at marketing and social media. I was hooked. Without that small volunteer position, I would probably still be struggling to like the medical field. And hating my life. And this blog probably wouldn't exist *yikes*
2. I deepened my relationship and made new, everlasting ones: I met my boyfriend of three years, TJ, the second day of college in Psychology class. And later, I was blessed to work alongside him in OSI Creative Services in my first of three roles as a Street Teamer. We worked at events, ate lunch, and played office pranks on each other each week. But aside from TJ, working at OSI gave me a network of authentic, loving people who all loved UCF and being involved as much as I did. I am forever grateful for the support they've shown me these past three years.
3.  I got my first taste of networking (and why it matters): Which happened the day of Spirit Splash 2016, when I met Jenny DeWitt, who was then the Social Media Manager for UCF. After talking for a while, she invited me to attend the monthly UCF Social Media Manager's meetings. I met amazing and talented creators like me in that group, who led me to connecting with creatives at Universal Orlando, FPRA, Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Think Creative, and more. This is networking. Meeting people, who know people, and meeting those people, and building a community who loves and supports you no matter what.
4. I was able to help my fellow Knights find a home at UCF: This comes from being part of the everyday culture of OSI. You constantly see events being planned and executed, people making them happen, and resources being created and bettered. Having this knowledge allowed me to connect other Knights to campus resources and define their own journeys. In fact, I made this very idea the mission of OSI's social media: helping Knights create their own unique involvement journeys.
5. I found a respite from college stress and academia: Because when you're throwing ducks into a pit of students, everything else seems to melt away. The moment I stepped into OSI, I felt the stress of college and life slide off my shoulders. In OSI, I found peace. In OSI, I found escape. In OSI, I found fun. A life without involvement gives students no way to escape the stresses of academic life. College seems less valuable when it is only classes and homework. Involvement makes the money you spend seem valuable; almost like buying tickets for a concert. It is all worth it for the memories and exhilarating high that involvement brings. This is what OSI did for me, and because of having an escape, I enjoyed my classes more in the long-run.  

To end, I'll say this: My involvement story is one of thousands. It is insignificant alone. But combined, every student whose life has changed because of their involvement speaks volumes about why it matters. It changes everything.

So this summer, or even this fall, I challenge every Knight to get involved. Join a club. Attend a campus event. Schedule a KnightQuest consultation. Just do something. 

You won't regret it: trust me.

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~Beyond Words~

Be a Healthy Knight During Finals!

Can you believe it? Finals Week is ALREADY HERE!

This is the time for every UCF student where nights of studying late, attending lectures, collaborating on group projects, and checking Webcourses 24/7 finally pays off. However, Finals Week is also where students tend to make not the best health decisions. This is where I come in!

As I enter my fourth year, one fact about UCF is clear: this school cares for it's students. There are countless resources available to students during Finals Week to keep us healthy and happy (did someone say relaxation chair?!). Keep reading to see some of these resources, and my own personal tips for being a Healthy Knight during finals!

Don't Drink Coffee

Guys. I honestly feel this struggle so much. When hours of staring at notes loom ahead, all I want to do is run to the on-campus Dunkin' Donuts and order a large iced latte with extra espresso. But this is so not good for you! Coffee causes us to crash. Fast. And hard. Instead of risking a mid-exam energy dive, drink water instead! This is a liquid that your body and mind actually need. Trust me, your grade (and wallet) will thank you later. 

Do Drink a Smoothie!

If you're going to spend money on a drink, pick a smoothie over your favorite coffee! Smoothie King has two locations on campus (the Student Union and RWC), both of which serve an array of healthy, filling smoothies and snacks to power you through the week! But be careful in your choice, and stick to the smoothies made with stevia sweetener (for less sugar), healthy fruits, and low-fat milk/milk substitutes. Pro Tip: Visit either location on Fridays to get a medium smoothie for just five dollars! Treating yo self without breaking the bank? Sounds good to me!

Take a Yoga Class

I cannot stress enough the importance of exercise during Finals Week. Doing so lets you re-focus your mind, release endorphins, spend time with friends, and simply feel good about yourself (even after a rough exam)! The UCF Recreation and Wellness Center offers an array of group exercise classes during finals week, including fun yoga sessions!

Make sure to pre-register on the RWC website to secure your spot. The full schedule is listed here: http://rwc.sdes.ucf.edu/files/262?type=.pdf

Find a Good Study Spot

Which, given our GORGEOUS campus, isn't hard at all! The library and Student Union are obvious choices for many study sessions, but the inside lighting isn't all that good for your eyes. Trust me and my bad eyesight on this one.

Instead, take a break from the AC and crowded tables for some outside studying! A lot of spots around campus are even Wifi-accessible, but sadly don't include outlets (*cry*). Some of my picks for outside studying include:

• The patio outside the second-floor of the RWC.
• The chairs and awnings in front of CFE Arena.
• The shady garden by the Burnett Honors College.
• The tables outside the Student Union.
• The UCF Reflection Pond lawn.
• The UCF Breezeway tables and sofas.

Try a Relaxation Station

I first discovered this secret resource while walking through the UCF Wellness and Health Promotion office one day after working out. It confused me how a chair could relax someone, but then I did some research. According to the UCF WHPS website, Relaxation Stations use "the HeartMath Inner Balance™ App and sensor with any iOS device." They can help you:

• Be less reactive, think clearly and make good decisions
• Improve health, stamina and well-being
• Maintain personal balance and avoid stress and burnout
• Maximize creativity and innovation
• Boost performance and overall intelligence
• And other sweets benefits!

Want to try it yourself? Find a campus station near you!

Above all, I want to end by saying that I believe in EACH of you! UCF grows us to be BIG thinkers, dreamers, and doers capable of anything. Remember this truth as you enter Finals Week, graduate, and live life. You are able to do anything and more when you trust yourself! 

As always: CHARGE ON!

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I hope you enjoyed my latest blog post!

Check back each week for a new blog on social media tips, life, food and more. Oh, and of course...

JOIN ME: 

Instagram: @maddielill

Twitter: @Hey_ItsMaddie31

Snapchat: @Heyitsmaddie97

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~Beyond Words~