“Life is 10% what you make it and 90% how you take it.” –

The quote by Irving Berlin is a nice reminder about our attitudes and how they can change perception instantly. Stop and think… how do you approach life? Is it with zest, worry, uncertainty, fear or a little [...]]]>

 “Life is 10% what you make it and 90% how you take it.” –

The quote by Irving Berlin is a nice reminder about our attitudes and how they can change perception instantly. Stop and think… how do you approach life? Is it with zest, worry, uncertainty, fear or a little bit of everything?  Sometimes attacking the day comes with relative ease and our smile and attitude are infectious. Other times it’s difficult to be cheerful when everything that can make the day start out wrong. You know outfit fits funny, spilled coffee, running late, kids etc etc etc. and by the time its 9am you want to snap at every person.  But sometimes how we look and respond with a more positive open heart and mind we can change even the worst morning to be an awesome day. Even as summer is coming into swing local and national volunteers dont stop working with the collegians! The women are tired and ready to end their school year and we are looking forward to a little time off… but how can we keep that fresh attitude to making sure they are on track for fall?

Approaching others 

“Can you help?” or “Can I help?” I love those phrases. When we feel tired, burnt out, frustrated or just want a long nap reach out and help a sister? Whether its with advising, preparing for fall formal recruitment or taking her kids so she can have a much needed date night a little TLC can change an attitude. I saw this first hand when I was coaching and having small talk with an opposing coach at an invite. As we talked Greek life came up and she is a Sigma Kappa! My attitude changed instantly, no longer was she just the other team but she was a sister and I felt a small soft spot for her team. But I also did not let my chance escape and quickly got her information when she mentioned she missed SK?! Really.. well let me help you get into contact with some advisory boards! Sure enough the next time we saw each other at another invite she responded she was interested and thought since I had a great attitude about volunteering maybe she should give it a try! Score one for being positive.

So how do you respond to a challenge, a bad morning, an event you need to attend or your general outlook?  Do you see only the negatives, or do you see the positives as well?

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.  ~Winston Churchill

National Prevention Week is May [...]]]> Our president has officially proclaimed May as National Mental Health Awareness Month 2013. Since I work with individuals with a disability daily in my profession, I felt that it was important to highlight this topic. With much discussion regarding treatment’s place in our society, there is also a conversation about prevention.

National Prevention Week is May 12-18. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, better known as SAMHSA, holds an annual week of events to increase the awareness of and action around the issues of substance abuse and mental health. Their theme this year is: “Your Voice. Your Choice. Make a Difference.”

We all have a choice to make in our daily lives that can promote a healthy mental state as well as a preventative mindset surrounding substance use and abuse. We can make better choices for ourselves that will also set a positive and healthy example for our family, friends and children. Our voice can be equally as important in order to raise awareness in our community and in our country.

The SAMHSA.gov/prevention week website has great ideas for the week that can allow you to easily participate in the conversation. There is an option to take a “prevention pledge” on the promotional page or on the SAMHSA Facebook page. This pledge shows your efforts towards healthy living and prevention.

The second way you can participate involves taking a picture, and let’s face it, who doesn’t love them some Instagram or a mobile upload?! You can participate in the “I Choose” project by grabbing a few people to make a sign about how you choose to prevent mental illness and substance abuse. This can be sports, crafting, volunteering, etc. If you want, send the photo to kaitlin.abell@samhsa.hhs.gov and it will be posted in their gallery on Flickr.

However your choose to participate, I just ask that you educate yourself and others on the impact of mental health on your life. We can positively impact future generations by removing stigmas and having the conversation early on. Prevention is paramount, and acceptance is healing.

Live on Purpose, and Live Sigma Kappa.

Courtney

Did you know May is National Salad Month? It was a surprise to me, but being the foodie that I am, I love it! There’s nothing better than a yummy salad, whether it’s full of fresh, crunchy greens or flavorful, shredded chicken. I tend to eat salads several times a week, sometimes twice [...]]]>

Did you know May is National Salad Month? It was a surprise to me, but being the foodie that I am, I love it! There’s nothing better than a yummy salad, whether it’s full of fresh, crunchy greens or flavorful, shredded chicken. I tend to eat salads several times a week, sometimes twice a day if it fits into our recipe plan. With the right ingredients, they’re not only good for you, but super filling, as well.

When I first read about these Blueberry Chicken Salad Wraps, I was intrigued. I’d had grapes in chicken salad before, but never blueberries. So I was pleasantly surprised when I had my first taste! Great for lunches, showers and potlucks – I can’t wait to make these wraps a part of our weekly schedule!

Blueberry Chicken Salad Wraps
Adapted from: The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

6 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1/2 c finely chopped celery
1/2 tsp Kosher salt
4 c shredded, cooked chicken
1 c fresh blueberries
Fresh spinach leaves
12 flour tortillas

In a large bowl, combine yogurt, mayonnaise, celery and salt. Stir in chicken until all is coated, then gently fold in blueberries. Top each tortilla with spinach leaves, then scoop about 3/4 of a cup of Blueberry Chicken Salad on to each tortilla. Roll each tortilla up, then cut in half. Secure with toothpicks, if desired, and serve.

When the bombings at the Boston Marathon occurred, I was at [...]]]> As I’ve often mentioned throughout my posts on Live Sigma Kappa, I’m a Delta. And while I honestly often think about my fellow Boston University sisters for a whole host of reasons, they have especially been on my mind the last several weeks.

When the bombings at the Boston Marathon occurred, I was at work in Chicago. A co-worker told me about them and I immediately checked the news and started looking at Facebook to see if people were posting to say they were okay. For those who have never been in the city on Patriot’s Day, Boston basically shuts down so everyone can come out and watch the runners. The marathon course runs by many of the local college campuses, including Boston University’s. So I knew many of my friends still in the area were out and about when all this was happening.

My thoughts especially went to a fellow Delta alumna who I knew was running the race that day. I checked her status on the marathon website and saw she past the last checkpoint, but had not crossed the finish line. Thankfully, she was a bit behind the chaos and was safely diverted when they had to close the route.

I said many thanks that Monday- for all my friends who stayed out of harm’s way. For the fact that all the sisters at Delta (BU), Kappa Omega (Northeastern), Theta Lambda (MIT), and Zeta Zeta (Babson) were accounted for. It has made my heart heavy for my former home and for a day that has brought many happy memories for myself and millions before me.

I want to say thanks to the many first responders who helped the wounded get the help they needed and other bystanders safely away from danger. Without the police, firefighters, EMS, doctors, nurses and countless others, the aftermath could have been much, much worse. The month of May happens to include National Nurses, Police and EMS Weeks, giving us further opportunity to say thanks for those who helped on that day and really, every day.

So, this month, why not call an old sister or friend you haven’t spoken with for a while or take some time to thank a nurse or police officer in your neighborhood. Events like this help us remember to be thankful and practice gratitude, but sometimes the hard part is remembering to do that more often.

To help those most affected by the recent events in Boston, please go to The One Fund.

Aside from some of the best meals you’ll ever have, events around the clock, and being a cultural melting [...]]]> America: New York City: Land of opportunity. One of the tiniest regions, yet one of the most desired. What is it that makes this city a landmark for these free-willed, eager-hearted, people of the world?

Aside from some of the best meals you’ll ever have, events around the clock, and being a cultural melting pot, I would have to say the ‘secret to success’ is the lack of judgment within its borders. In New York City, you can be who you want to be. You can pursue any career, believe in any dream, and indulge in every feat. Any minuscule interest you have is waiting for you here. So, as the sun begins to shine brightly, and its warmth lingers on my skin, I am delightfully reminded of these inspirations that surround me.

I find that it is quite appropriate for the rekindling of these feelings to emerge during the ‘national re-commitment month’ of May. When you confront yourself with the plain, honest truth, doors fly open. Opportunities arise. And thus, you’ve become someone or accomplished something. So, why not reevaluate your true aspirations, and recommit to one or two of the most important ones in your heart? This, for me of course, is a huge reason for living in my New-York-City-SoHo apartment.

Sure, the idea of starting anew can be an overwhelming thought. In my experience, the first step to moving in the right direction is a positive outlook. In order to yield results, you need to remove the doubts, the fear, and existing forms of negative energy. Moving away from home was a tough life-change, but knowing that I had an exciting new chapter to begin in NYC was enough motivation for me to take that step. The outcome is a more diversified self. Living in a place where I can feel that anything is possible definitely has me eager to jump on the bandwagon. Therefore, as I round the corner to my one year anniversary, I am ready to follow through on the things I promised myself upon becoming a resident.

Realistically, we don’t always have the “time” to practice what we actually love doing. Or, so we say. That being said, I challenge you to make the time this month to focus on one hobby or interest that you’ve left by the wayside. Recommit to the joy you feel when you identify with this part of your personality. Channel your inner New-Yorker and watch what kind of magic unfolds before your life!

Love from the big A,

SK in the City

Delayed. Postponed. Canceled. Rescheduled due to rain.

This has been a very frustrating spring [...]]]> A UM field hockey game. A hike. A trip to the dog park. The neighborhood Easter Egg hunt. Earth day “Day of Service” for the elementary school. Two soccer games. Three soccer practices. One bike trip. Two Tigers’ games.

The rainy, neighborhood Easter Egg hunt.

Delayed. Postponed. Canceled. Rescheduled due to rain.

This has been a very frustrating spring in the Midwest. It feels like the rain is never-ending. And my cute, fun rainboots cracked, so now a rainy day also means wet feet. It would be very easy to be cranky.

I’m trying my best not to be.

After a long winter, a few warm (relatively speaking) spring days requiring no jacket or snow pants is just what the kids need. How glorious to be able to throw open the door and not worry about letting out the heat, to run outside in the thick grass with bare feet, to spend hours playing in the sun. Instead, every other day has included drenching rain and canceled activities.

Playing in a drizzle without a care.

And yet my two-year-old daughter can still delightfully point out the yellow and purple and blue and white flowers. She can cheep along with the birds and try to find them up in the trees. She can cheerfully spot the new leaves on the trees and bushes.

My five-year-old son can jubilantly pull on his raincoat and boots and grab his umbrella to gleefully splash in the puddles. He can climb in his fort and swing on the swings and slide down the slide and ride his bike in the rain without a care. He can collect the wet crocuses growing in the lawn and hand them to me with a smile on his face.

This spring I’m taking a page from the kids’ books. I’m splashing in puddles on the walk home when my pants would get wet anyway. I’m taking a few seconds to listen to the birds instead of rushing inside. I’m collecting a few wildflowers instead of being annoyed that they’re growing in the grass.

My clothes will dry eventually anyway.

I’m letting the kids carry the umbrellas. I’m letting them play on the playground when the soccer game is canceled. I’m letting them catch raindrops with their wide open mouths instead of rushing them inside.

I’m scheduling indoor soccer practices so we can play no matter how muddy the fields and planning to go watch lacrosse games (with a covered field) instead of field hockey games.

Game postponed.

I’m keeping a good spirit and a smile when I’ve driven 45 minutes to the Tigers stadium with the kids, bought overpriced junk food for dinner, and the game is rained out before it’s begun. And then let the kids play in the gigantic puddles by the gate for an hour before leaving. Because they may as well wear themselves out before the 45-minute ride back home. Because they may as well have fun even if we couldn’t see a baseball game. Because I would love for them to keep their positive outlook on life as long as they possibly can.

And I would love to have the same positive outlook.

Batting practice in the rain.

As little girls we [...]]]> Remember when you were a little girl and you knew a secret? Wasn’t it the best feeling to let your friends know that you had knowledge they didn’t? And the moment when you whispered the secret into your best friend’s ear and she looked at you with wide eyes and shock…ahhh…gossip girl bliss.

As little girls we probably didn’t know it, but that feeling was power. Our circle of friends donned in ponytails and party dresses respected us as keepers of the pulse of the playground.

Today, we talk a lot about giving respect whether that is on campuses with the RespEKt program, to the earth with fuel-efficient cars, or taking the time to visit with our elders.

But let’s be real, getting respect is just as important. Having the respect of others is key in influencing change and being successful in our goals: raising a healthy family, climbing the corporate ladder, servicing the community.

In my mind, there is a delicate balance to earn that trust and therefor respect. It’s a combination of actions, words and the lack thereof. Information is power, but what you do with that information is even more powerful.

Here is a situation that I see often at work. You become aware of a decision in your company that will impact jobs, reporting lines, or a product release. You share this with a coworker or allude to the news to a small group at lunch. Your coworkers might respect you because you are “in the know” and maybe they think you are important. On the other hand, management may not trust you because of a lack of judgment and there can be longterm implications to your career advancement. The ramifications go deeper than that. Your indiscretion could have put a coworker in a difficult situation or jeopardized a product or client. Congratulations, you are queen of the watercooler! But was respect really earned?

You snag a hilarious photo of your Big’s boyfriend passed out with Sharpie-written “creative phrases” on his face.  Immediately the photo is Instagrammed, Facebooked and Tweeted. You just scored major funny points with his fraternity brothers and your friends. You may have also cost him a job or strained a relationship with his parents.  Perhaps you think those consequences are a little dramatic. Then how about this one? Who has ever felt proud to see a picture of themselves unconscious and covered with graffiti? The results: a temporary peak in your popularity…true. A notch of respect…sorry, try again later.

Sometimes the respectful thing to do is to do nothing. To respectfully decline to participate.  Instead, choose to become a trusted safe-keeper of information. No talking, texting or tweeting. Let the other person have their space and retain their dignity, and let the situation play out as appropriate without interference and escalation.

When we are bombarded by information every minute of the day, this is not an easy task. But I’ve found that anything worth earning is never easy.

In Sigma,

Courtney Panik

National Vice President for Programming