What I'm learning
Today someone asked me what I've learned since I've been working with a campus ministry.
It seems to me that I'm learning A LOT about life just as I live... and yes, working with a campus ministry highlights some different elements, but I'm also just learning about me. What I enjoy, what I don't enjoy and so forth.
In efforts to prevent forgetting these lessons I feel I should document them here. Why here? I don't know. I just know this is where it's happening.
About Me:
My name is Kim. Some people call me Kimberly and there are a variety of other nicknames to which I respond dependent on who is saying them. Not everybody can call me Kimmie and there are a rare few that have permission to call me "Kim Kim." I don't know where these nicknames have come from but I generally introduce myself as Kim and it goes from there.
I'm 23 years old and living in Oregon. I'm single and live in a house with four other young women. Being friends with mostly men in my life and living in co-ed housing for several years it was a change to move in with a house full of girls. I've shied away from being friends with a lot of men for a variety of reasons so I appreciate living with women (for now). In this living situation I've realized that my thick-skin and insensitive nature makes it easy for me to say things that may hurt others. I need to be cautious in my word choices and intentional in communicating clarity for anybody that I may have hurt. Confrontation is not a bad thing - it is not a fun thing either - but it's muuuuch better to confront than to let it sit. I've seen that I'm often the initiator for confrontation and I don't like that role - it goes both ways. I'm stubborn and when I am tired of initiating I choose ignorance until another approaches me.
I'm really indecisive and really appreciate it when others are there to make decisions for me. I find myself extremely thankful when someone can make a good, direct choice for me without wasting time. There are few people in my life that I've met that do this so it stands out to me when they exist. I sometimes wonder if it is their pride and arrogance that gives them the confidence to do such a thing, but I appreciate it nonetheless.
I love working behind the scenes. Delegating and encouraging other people to do footwork is a comfortable place for me. Simultaneously I love relationships... but I would rather they not be "work" and more a time to be social, have fun, and develop depth. I hate approaching people with an agenda unless it is someone I plan on delegating and encouraging to accomplish a task. Maybe I like being "the brain" of an operation rather than a limb.
While I generally don't like to be acknowledged, I do enjoy being recognized at times and thanked for my work. There are a lot of thankless jobs in this world and it's a shame those people may feel as I do at times: forgotten.
I appreciate honesty and communication an incredible amount. I feel that any conflict can be resolved if people are willing to talk and work through a problem. It is essential to make commitments to the important people in life - especially for me, since I know that if I don't I will most likely sever from them when the timing is right.
I have no idea what I want to do with my life other than care about people and encourage and help them to do the same. I don't know how that fits into the large scheme of things so I generally take things one day at a time. That said, I'm really impulsive at times and I'm sure if I wasn't committed to something I would be all over the place.
The only things I think I know are that in every situation in which I can possibly see myself in the future: 1. God at the center. 2. Health/Beauty and 3. A Family.
I still don't know what that means... but I know I love kids and I'll either need to have my own someday (and/or adopt) or I'll need to find a teammate that will want to work with kids at times. I've always had a soft spot for youth pastors...
In my current view the future has three options for "jobs": 1. Something involving music. 2. Something involving ministry. 3. Housewife. It's a weird array. Perhaps there will be some combination of those but I certainly don't see myself working any other type of job. Not even sure how well I see myself working those jobs but... who knows what will happen?
I absolutely love laughing. If there is no laughter in my life something is very wrong. I hope other people can find joy in laughter as well.
I sometimes play dumb in order to force other people to use their brains. Sometimes I wonder if they really think I'm an idiot but I'm glad it's causing them to think for themselves rather than rely on my thoughts. I also sometimes find a reason to miss something or not be involved so that others are put in a position where they must work together to accomplish a goal.
I'm generally pretty chill but I'm also very energetic and enthusiastic. I love running around outside, being silly, and going on imaginative adventures but I also love sitting in a room with talking or silence. Nature is a beautiful thing... and can house all varieties of activities.
The more people push me, the more I resist. I somewhat mentioned stubborn earlier, but let me mention it again. I'm stubborn and strong-willed. I feel like Black Beauty not wanting to cross that old rickety bridge but after a lot of coaxing sometimes I'll give in. Sometimes.
Ahh... so much more to mention, but another thing I know: I cherish sleeping and dreaming. I need to allow myself to do that right about now. Hurray.
It seems to me that I'm learning A LOT about life just as I live... and yes, working with a campus ministry highlights some different elements, but I'm also just learning about me. What I enjoy, what I don't enjoy and so forth.
In efforts to prevent forgetting these lessons I feel I should document them here. Why here? I don't know. I just know this is where it's happening.
About Me:
My name is Kim. Some people call me Kimberly and there are a variety of other nicknames to which I respond dependent on who is saying them. Not everybody can call me Kimmie and there are a rare few that have permission to call me "Kim Kim." I don't know where these nicknames have come from but I generally introduce myself as Kim and it goes from there.
I'm 23 years old and living in Oregon. I'm single and live in a house with four other young women. Being friends with mostly men in my life and living in co-ed housing for several years it was a change to move in with a house full of girls. I've shied away from being friends with a lot of men for a variety of reasons so I appreciate living with women (for now). In this living situation I've realized that my thick-skin and insensitive nature makes it easy for me to say things that may hurt others. I need to be cautious in my word choices and intentional in communicating clarity for anybody that I may have hurt. Confrontation is not a bad thing - it is not a fun thing either - but it's muuuuch better to confront than to let it sit. I've seen that I'm often the initiator for confrontation and I don't like that role - it goes both ways. I'm stubborn and when I am tired of initiating I choose ignorance until another approaches me.
I'm really indecisive and really appreciate it when others are there to make decisions for me. I find myself extremely thankful when someone can make a good, direct choice for me without wasting time. There are few people in my life that I've met that do this so it stands out to me when they exist. I sometimes wonder if it is their pride and arrogance that gives them the confidence to do such a thing, but I appreciate it nonetheless.
I love working behind the scenes. Delegating and encouraging other people to do footwork is a comfortable place for me. Simultaneously I love relationships... but I would rather they not be "work" and more a time to be social, have fun, and develop depth. I hate approaching people with an agenda unless it is someone I plan on delegating and encouraging to accomplish a task. Maybe I like being "the brain" of an operation rather than a limb.
While I generally don't like to be acknowledged, I do enjoy being recognized at times and thanked for my work. There are a lot of thankless jobs in this world and it's a shame those people may feel as I do at times: forgotten.
I appreciate honesty and communication an incredible amount. I feel that any conflict can be resolved if people are willing to talk and work through a problem. It is essential to make commitments to the important people in life - especially for me, since I know that if I don't I will most likely sever from them when the timing is right.
I have no idea what I want to do with my life other than care about people and encourage and help them to do the same. I don't know how that fits into the large scheme of things so I generally take things one day at a time. That said, I'm really impulsive at times and I'm sure if I wasn't committed to something I would be all over the place.
The only things I think I know are that in every situation in which I can possibly see myself in the future: 1. God at the center. 2. Health/Beauty and 3. A Family.
I still don't know what that means... but I know I love kids and I'll either need to have my own someday (and/or adopt) or I'll need to find a teammate that will want to work with kids at times. I've always had a soft spot for youth pastors...
In my current view the future has three options for "jobs": 1. Something involving music. 2. Something involving ministry. 3. Housewife. It's a weird array. Perhaps there will be some combination of those but I certainly don't see myself working any other type of job. Not even sure how well I see myself working those jobs but... who knows what will happen?
I absolutely love laughing. If there is no laughter in my life something is very wrong. I hope other people can find joy in laughter as well.
I sometimes play dumb in order to force other people to use their brains. Sometimes I wonder if they really think I'm an idiot but I'm glad it's causing them to think for themselves rather than rely on my thoughts. I also sometimes find a reason to miss something or not be involved so that others are put in a position where they must work together to accomplish a goal.
I'm generally pretty chill but I'm also very energetic and enthusiastic. I love running around outside, being silly, and going on imaginative adventures but I also love sitting in a room with talking or silence. Nature is a beautiful thing... and can house all varieties of activities.
The more people push me, the more I resist. I somewhat mentioned stubborn earlier, but let me mention it again. I'm stubborn and strong-willed. I feel like Black Beauty not wanting to cross that old rickety bridge but after a lot of coaxing sometimes I'll give in. Sometimes.
Ahh... so much more to mention, but another thing I know: I cherish sleeping and dreaming. I need to allow myself to do that right about now. Hurray.