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The Road Not Taken

It is safe to surround oneself in the familiar. To eat the same food, hangout with the same friends, speak only one language and develop a life full of predictability. Predictability creates consistency and reduces discomfort and potential for failure. But predictability robs my of contentment, fulfillment, wonder and sense of accomplishment. I like changing…
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La revolución

It is inexcusable and almost impossible to visit Nicaragua and not learn about the revolution. The revolution began in 1979 and ended in 1990. The Iran-Contra Scandal: The US government portrayed Nicaragua as a Communist nation that threatened United States democracy. The implementation of this fear tactic empowered the US government to support international terrorist groups…
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Taking the Lead

Question: Kalen, how are you going to be a leader of our time/. Answer: By taking risks. The social norm is conformity, isolation, apathy, and self-promotion. Those are things that divide society, promote prejudice and stratification. In a world that celebrates only looking out for yourself and living in fear of others, I want to care…
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caller id and convo
As a millennial- I don’t like answering my parents’ house phone. The call is never for me. Telemarketers are as stubborn as I am and are always selling something. Answering the house phone requires me to leave the oasis of my room. So last Wednesday, though I was already perturbed that the phone was ringing-…
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Desayuno y decisiones
I was released from university on May 4th on good behavior. As the summer began, I was most excited for my study tour to Nicaragua. This study tour allowed me to complete my Spanish minor, have an unforgettable experience and become a better person. I’m eager to transcribe all of my experiences, musings and thoughts…
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Comparison, Competition and Categorization

I’m an only child. I don’t have siblings to be compared against- therefore, I am simultaneously the best and worst at all I do. My accomplishments and failures are often augmented/ blown out of proportion, but never used to determine my value or as a tool to compare me to others. I became independent at…
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Sometimes You Say I’m Just a Friend

“A ny man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell toils; it toils for the.” Jonne Donn I can grin when I am alone, I sometimes cry in solitude, I create my daily agenda, I can create and I can complete homework. I…
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Though I’m Wrong, I Write

I think critically, I share my thoughts and I grow. I better utilize my strengths and I am more aware of my weaknesses. I enjoy studying cultural competency and the importance of diversity. Though I condemned echo-chambers in my last post, I realize that I may reside in an echo chamber myself. How can you say, ‘Brother, let me take the speck…
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The Restrictions of Religion

I hail from Muskogee, Oklahoma- the county seat with a population of around 30,000 kind, traditional and somewhat conformist individuals. I had 114 in my graduating class. Of these 114 people there was little religious/ spiritual variety. Last weekend in a conversation with my mom, we discussed how most students and staff from my high…
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Lessons in Leadership
“Leadership is about nurturing and enhancing.” Tom Peters. Anyone can manage a group’s output without much skill or effort, but leading a group and enhancing the strength of each individual is rare/. Leadership is not stagnant, but adaptive to the needs of a situation and a group. For example, even if you make the world’s best…