Most people are
afraid of being alone. After all, we come into the world surrounded by people:
family, friends, etc. So what happens when you reach a time where you are
independent, and truly alone? My time in Washington, D.C. through WAIP has allowed
me to explore the idea of being independent – and I love every second of it.
Of course I have
immense support through my WAIP cohort, advisors, professor, family, friends, and
coworkers. I appreciate input from from all of these people and learn more from
them everyday. That being said, I also know I make decisions for no one but myself.
Being an independent means making decisions about my life ultimately comes down
to me. I was never good at decision making because I always wanted what was
best for other people. WAIP has consistently reminded me of a great quote from
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: “When
we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to
become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”
This quote describes what I
need to do now in order to be a great public servant in the future. Now, I need
to learn to make decisions for myself, take care of myself, and love myself. I
need to be proud to be from Ohio and apart of The John Glenn College.
Learning to do these things, as I am through WAIP, allows me to prepare to be
the best public servant I can.
Here are a few
things I have done alone in the nation’s capitol, and recommend to all:
1.
Adventured
though the Eastern Market
2.
Sat
at a local restaurant with a book
3.
Watched
Pride events unravel from a yogurt bar
4.
Networked
with people who write transportation policy
5.
Meditated
6.
Power
walked and ran
7.
Visited
the Postal Museum
My time during
WAIP has helped me to grasp being independent. I’ve given myself permission to
be alone and to just be me.
By: Christine Cockley
WAIP Summer 2017
Nice and what an opportunity!! Hearts GC CyL
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