Friends and Family,
Another week has successfully gone by. We are moving into week 7- midterms and family weekend!
This week has been full of its ups and downs. Again, because this place is Norwich, it mostly consists of downs for recruits. Something I began to understand this week was the impact of words on an individual. I have learned a very valuable lesson this week due to the words of others.
On Saturday, I took a PT test to evaluate my physical fitness. The last ½ mile of the run, I began to feel weak and unable to complete the test to the best of my ability. As I was running toward the finish line at a pretty slow pace, all I could hear was the kind encouragement from fellow recruits, motivating me to push myself and finish the test. I pushed through the pain at hand and finished stronger than I had started. Without those kind words, it would have been easy to accept failure.
On Sunday, the Corps of Cadets gathered in Plumley Armory to enjoy Regimental Ball. Here was a time where you were able to dance and grow a bigger bond with your platoon family. While trying to join in on the fun with my platoon, I was quickly shunned away by another student and was told I did not belong there. Extremely hurt, I went back to my seat and did not dance for the rest of the evening. I knew that because of one persons hurtful words, and no one sticking up for me, my self esteem went down.
I have also seen how my hurtful words can affect another person. After a fight one night with my father, I said something I did not mean to say. It slipped out. The moment I said it, I felt terrible and knew that I should have thought about my words before I said it. In the coming week, I could see my father's attitude toward me changed. I knew, because of my hurtful words, I gave the impression that I did not care and love for my father.
While in bed, I pondered the effects of words on my personal self esteem. Here at Norwich, you are taught that not only do you represent yourself, but you represent the Corps of Cadets as well as the institution as a whole. When you travel outside of campus, you are representing something more than yourself. You need to maintain a facade of kindness and respect at all times. This also includes through your actions both physical and verbal.
So, I ask you to speak kindly and positively to one another. Use positive and motivational phrases that lift others self esteem. Avoid using insults toward one another, even when joking. When you are tempted to say hurtful and harsh words, bite your tongue and leave such things unsaid. When you see someone not using the nicest words, pull them aside and remind them of this valuable lesson
I challenge everyone, including myself, to make sure we are using kind and thoughtful words at all times. Everyday, make it a point to tell someone a compliment. Go up to someone you have not talked to before and engage in a conversation where they feel like they are cared about.
Get to work! Be easy
Raven Killinger
A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble. -Charles H. Spurgeon