Live http://www.tridelta.org/thecenter/live en-us Mon, 15 Jul 2013 04:46:50 -0500 Passion http://www.tridelta.org/thecenter/live/passion passion.JPG

What drives you to be your best self? Do you go through the motions or are you truly passionate about what you get involved in? When you're passionate about something, you care, you're concerned, you're determined and you're motivated. How passionate are you about what you're doing?
]]> Wed, 05 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.tridelta.org/thecenter/live/passion You Can Have It All http://www.tridelta.org/thecenter/live/youcanhaveitall You can have it all.jpg

We are all dreamers in our own right. We are all capable of achieving the things we desire, but sometimes it takes putting one foot in front of the other one step at a time. This quote is a great reminder that getting what we want takes a good dose of patience, perseverance and determination. Getting where we want to go takes endurance and acceptance in knowing that reaching greatness doesn't happen overnight. Reaching our goals means taking the right steps to get there.

What is an example of a time that may have challenged your patience? What motivated you to keep going?
]]> Wed, 28 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.tridelta.org/thecenter/live/youcanhaveitall Doubting Ability http://www.tridelta.org/thecenter/live/doubtingability "Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right."
-Henry Ford

How impactful can your attitude be on your ability to succeed? Confidence and belief in oneself has great influence over actual productivity. Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy and our own best critic. Believing that we are capable is the first step in achieving what we want.

When was a time that you doubted your ability? How did that affect the outcome?

]]> Mon, 19 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.tridelta.org/thecenter/live/doubtingability Best Way Out http://www.tridelta.org/thecenter/live/bestwayout Best Way Out.jpg

"The Best Way Out is Always Through" -Robert Frost

There are times when we will have to deal with a situation that frustrates us and wish we could just ignore it instead. However, the best way to solve a problem or situation is to face it head on. Once we are able to confront it, not only will we be able to find a solution to the issue but we will also become stronger from it. From each challenge we face, we are able to learn more about ourselves and are better able to deal with other problems that arise. Have you recently dealt with a problem or conflict? How did you solve it? How did you feel afterwards?
]]> Mon, 12 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.tridelta.org/thecenter/live/bestwayout Anything Can Be http://www.tridelta.org/thecenter/live/anythingcanbe Anything Can Be.jpg


What motivates you, pushes you, inspires you? How are you affected by setbacks and obstacles? Do you let them push you harder or defeat you?

Some of our world's most successful people were rejected, were told "no", struggled. By falling, they were pushed to get back up and propel them forward toward their goals.

In fact, Walk Disney was fired from a newspaper and was told that it was because he lacked imagination and original ideas. Over ten publishers rejected J.K. Rowling's manuscript before one finally yet reluctantly published Harry Potter with skepticism about its success. Thomas Edison was told by a teacher that he was "too stupid to learn anything". Fred Astaire was told by a director that he "Can't act. Can't sing. Slightly bald. Not handsome. Can dance a little."
 
How have you been positively impacted by less than positive feedback? ]]> Wed, 31 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.tridelta.org/thecenter/live/anythingcanbe My Personal FC Challenge: The Lost Suitcase http://www.tridelta.org/thecenter/live/mypersonalfcchallengethelostsuitcase I stood waiting...looking...watching the luggage belt move around and around in the Denver airport.  Where was my suitcase?  Filled with Tri Delta Pathways officer notebooks (all of them!), supplies, chapter notes and resources, and a small album of pictures; the suitcase never appeared.  I walked over to the baggage claim customer service office to declare my Tri Delta suitcase missing.  How would I ever conduct my chapter visits without these essential materials?

Of course, as a field consultant of the late '90s, I wasn't equipped with a cell phone, iPhone, slick laptop, printer, or much in the way of anything tech-savvy other than my own AOL email address.  What did I do next?  I found a payphone and pulled out my trusty Tri Delta phone card, dialed into the shared voicemail account to commiserate by voice message with my fellow field consultants and our director of chapter services.  A few weeks later I received some new materials to support my last few visits and wind down my year of traveling.  I never received my Tri Delta suitcase (which can only mean that someone found quite a surprise when they opened that black bag to find it loaded with Pathways notebooks!).

Little did I know losing my suitcase - as traumatic an event as it seemed at the time - was one of many situations as a Tri Delta field consultant that would forever shape my personal and professional life experience.  What does losing a suitcase have to do with professional development, you ask?  How could I consider a lost bag to be a turning point in my personal life? 

I learned very quickly that I had to be resilient.  

I had to be resourceful.  

I had to figure out how to move forward with the knowledge and experience I had gained over the last six months and apply those tidbits, pronto!  I had chapter members waiting at passenger pick-up; no time for tears and certainly no turning back.

Generations of women have traveled as field consultants, field representatives, or field secretaries over the decades.  Each of us has been shaped by our experience on the road, interacting with collegians in chapter settings or individual officer meetings.  We have been moved by chapter success, frustrated by chapter failure, and we have been connected to one another by a single, unique experience that is hard to explain to anyone who asks: "What does this mean on your resume?"

For me, spending 1998-1999 on the road with Kimberlee, Robyn, Heather, Becky, Jenny and Stephanie was one experience that not only changed me and grounded me personally, but gave me the confidence, resilience and patience that I needed to move into my adult life.  I am forever grateful to Tri Delta and the resources of the Fraternity that supported my ability to have a life-changing experience.  

The Center for Living, Learning and Leading is currently sponsoring a 'FC Challenge,' as a way for all field consultants to support the educational programs of the Fraternity.  Programs that directly and individually impact our members - our sisters.  Will you join with me and make a $125 contribution to The Center in honor of the 125th anniversary of the founding of Delta Delta Delta?

Truth be told: I still look for a small black suitcase each time I walk through the Denver airport in the hope it will one day reappear.  However, I know full well that its loss was my gain: my gain of an experience that forever shaped my understanding of what it means to  'develop a stronger and more womanly character.'


Loyally,
Alison Ream Griffin, Southern Methodist
Executive Board Member
Field Consultant, 1998-1999


]]> Thu, 25 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.tridelta.org/thecenter/live/mypersonalfcchallengethelostsuitcase Back to School! http://www.tridelta.org/thecenter/live/backtoschool
The start of a new school year is always so exciting. It provides a renewed sense of hope. It gives you new classmates, new sisters, new curriculum, new professors, and a new living space.

During this time of "new", keep a few things in mind:
  • As women, we are often over-scheduled. We frequently put other needs in front of our own. Check in with yourself: make sure you are listening to your body! If you're stressed, tired, hungry, anxious, these things will likely decrease your chance of being the best student, sister or employee you can be. Take care of you first!
  • Mind your worth! Always keep this in mind: you are amazing. You are juggling school, your chapter responsibilities, friends, sisters, family, and work. It's tough! But you are doing it and you are doing it well.
  • Keep it up and remind yourself of how amazing you are.
  • When others compliment this, do not dismiss it; accept the compliment and say "thank you!"
  • Work to find the good in others. If you are constantly judging others and being critical of them, it's tough to keep centered and positive yourself. Work to find the good in others. Seek out their strengths and accept them for who they are.
  • Adopt an attitude of gratitude. You are blessed. You attend a fabulous institution where you are earning a degree. You are part of the best organization (yes, I'm biased... and you should be too) in the world. Keep your perspective grateful; watch how your attitude and interaction with others will change.
  • Be the person you want to meet. This one is simple. Be the person you seek out as a friend. If everyone acted this way, the world would be a better place with a lot more friends.
  • Yoga and meditation are fantastic ways to keep centered, relaxed, and calm. They are good for both your mind and body!
  • Remember to have a little fun! Go out with your friends for dinner, stop for ice cream, go for a walk, and catch up on your favorite shows in pajamas- anything that relaxes you and creates fun!
Welcome to the new school year! Go out and make things happen.

DL,

Stacy]]> Thu, 30 Aug 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.tridelta.org/thecenter/live/backtoschool Be happy being with yourself! http://www.tridelta.org/thecenter/live/behappybeingwithyourself!
If your holiday season is anything like mine, it's all about traditions. Traditions have a funny way of playing with your emotions. If you're taken and with the guy of your dreams (or the guys of your dreams for the moment) traditions are thrilling and make you feel filled with love. However, if you are not taken, this tends to be the time of the year where all of the negative feeling around "being single" surface.

I've talked to man women this holiday season who were struggling with feelings of being "alone". It's time to change the way you're thinking about this- you're never truly alone!

  •     Although it can be rare, cherish the time you get alone during the holidays. Use this time to recharge, relax, and focus on what you want out of the season!
  •     Let go of expectations- I think we all grow up watching movies and reading romantic stories of how people find love over the holidays, are so happy, get married, and live happily ever after. Remember, we live in reality; not cinema land. While this season is undoubtedly magical, it can be magical in all sorts of ways! Stop saying "my holidays were supposed to look like this" and start being thankful for how they really look! Gratitude is the best way to have a positive attitude!
  •      Spend time on crafts, a home project, or start a new hobby you've always wanted to try! The holiday season can leave you with a good amount of down time once the presents are unwrapped and returning to school is still a few weeks away- use this time wisely!  Find something you love or rediscover a talent or hobby you used to be great at- doing something for yourself with only yourself will help you charge your batteries while teaching you to appreciate alone time!
  •     Give back! I'm a firm believer in helping others when I'm feeling down. My idea is when I'm feeling down about something, helping someone else, helps me to feel better! Donate your time to a favorite cause, offer to walk your elderly neighbor's dog, shovel the drive for your friend who is out of town- when you see the smile on someone's face that you helped, you'll smile too' it's addictive!

Remember to focus on the positive as much as possible; be grateful for all that you have. Spend your time with family, friends, and yourself. Allow yourself to reboot and become the best 'you' possible. The best you possible will be able to put your best foot forward and prepare yourself for whatever (or whoever if that is the case) is to come in the New Year!]]> Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.tridelta.org/thecenter/live/behappybeingwithyourself! Rain http://www.tridelta.org/thecenter/live/rain rain.gif

Life is going to throw us curve balls and often times it may seem easier to handle adversity by waiting around for things in life to calm down or "get back on the right track." We often find ourselves putting our goals on hold, waiting until they are easier to manage. But, the truth is that while you waiting for that perfect moment, you are missing out on other opportunities to learn and grow from and possibly even finding a different route toward where you want to be. Let's challenge ourselves to stop waiting for the time to be right and, instead, seize the opportunities that life has presented us today.

What is a time that you have had to be flexible in working toward an achievement? How did you handle it? What did you learn in the process?]]> Tue, 09 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.tridelta.org/thecenter/live/rain You Time http://www.tridelta.org/thecenter/live/youtime You Time 
 
We know that being a leader in Tri Delta can mean many different things. It may mean holding an officer position, or it may mean participating in chapter events, or it can even simply mean keeping a positive attitude. For example, a leader may be someone who chooses to arrive to a philanthropy event early to set up, or staying late after Initiation to put away the equipment thus setting an example for others. Whatever type of leadership you personally bring to you chapter, it is important to know that neither you, nor any one person, can do it all.
 
This can even mean being a little selfish sometimes... I know in Tri Delta we certainly cringe at the idea... but bare with us...
 
In Tri Delta we associate leadership with selflessness and doing what is best for the whole. For some members this means always putting in extra work and dedication. But you also need to be cautious not to allow this to make you feel like you are giving too much of yourself to the chapter.  While the message of unselfish leadership is a powerful one, membership must also include some give and take in order to accommodate all of the individuals who contribute to the success of the chapter. If as a leader or a member in the chapter you are never setting aside time for you or if you're always giving of yourself to over compensate for those members who don't, then eventually you will burn out. You can't be 100% invested in your membership without giving 100% of yourself. But eventually you will not be able to give 100% in the moment if you have not taken any "you time" in the process.
 
Balancing this is a talent and takes practice, but as soon as you can let go of one or two things as a means to recharge your batteries, your productivity, dedication and attitude towards your experience will all be enhanced. We encourage you to remember this as Tri Delta collegiate chapters are heading into a new officers term with new responsibilities.
 
We asked a few collegiate officers how they recharge their batteries. It can be as simple as this:
 
"90 minute hot yoga sessions :)"
-Noel, Collegiate Chapter President, Virginia Tech
 
"I will sit in our chapter room and read minutes from the 1920's and so on. It's really cool to see what our chapter was going through back then and see how its relative to now!"
-Jacqueline, Collegiate Chapter President, Brenau
 
"I go to Starbucks every Saturday and Sunday morning... Just the drive to Starbucks is relaxing."
-Sara, Collegiate Chapter President, Oklahoma State
 
"I find dancing around to "oldies" music and singing at the top of my lungs with my sisters helps A LOT! Breaking out of the seriousness of being President helps me to relax and even dance out any stress I am having!"
-Kendall, Collegiate Chapter President, Millikin
 
"I like to read something out of the ritual book. I really enjoy reading the legends and seeing how that relates to what I am going through. It always helps me realize that being the CCP is not about our everyday struggles, it is about maintaining an organization that will be here for women for years to come."
-Mackenzie Braatz, Collegiate Chapter President, Kansas
 
 "I have a mini-foot bath that I'm in love with, add some trashy TV and a sister and its heaven!"
- Brianna, VP Administration, Lake Forest
 
"I go running every day. I try to take an hour out of my day and just go for a run. It really helps me clear my head and be alone!"
-Pallavi, Collegiate Chapter President, UC San Diego
 
"I normally take time out and hang out with my best friend on campus that isn't Greek."
-Lauren, Collegiate Chapter President, Eastern Illinois
 
"I'm a twin and we are in different sororities (she's an Alpha Gamma Delta) and we have sleepovers once a week. I go over to her house and the next week she comes to mine. It's time for us to catch up on everything and vent about the things we're going through."
-Elsa, Collegiate Chapter President, Illinois State
 
 "I play Intramural soccer and flag football to get some exercise in!"
-Elizabeth, VP Administration, Butler
 
"I read a book, or catch up on the latest TV shows. I lock my door, turn off my phone, and have some "me" time!"
-Amanda, VP Administration, Valparaiso
 
‎"45 min spin classes and my boyfriend and I always get dinner Sunday night (any night works) but it's our time that we try to be really consistent about when things get hectic so we always make time for each other."
-Lexi, Collegiate Chapter President, Loyola Marymount University
 
"Call me cliché, but I like to walk and sit out by the lake at least once a week (it's a little more difficult in the winter time...). There's something about it that is so calming and reminds me to take this time to relax for a little while. We're constantly surrounded by others and working endlessly to make our chapters the best they can be, while also focusing on our school work and other commitments, and so it's nice to get away from it all for a bit. The lake is a place where I can finally hear myself think, and regain perspective on why we're here and what's most important :)"
-Amy, Collegiate Chapter President, Wisconsin

 

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]]> Tue, 20 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.tridelta.org/thecenter/live/youtime