Last week, I was in Las Vegas speaking about the purpose of higher education at a summit called, “Leadership in the Age of Personalization.” When I entered college, I did not plan on speaking at conferences attended by professionals. I also didn’t plan on starting and writing a blog. What I did plan on, however, was being “open” to wherever life takes me.
Leaving Your Comfort Zone
As an 18-year-old beginning college, I had a vague sense of what I cared about, what I wanted to do with my life, and how I wanted to get involved on campus. One thing I knew was that I was interested in learning about the nature of socioeconomic inequities, such as the racial wealth gap and the gender wage gap. So, I declared a major in sociology because I felt that would provide the most relevant courses.
My dad, who was a sociology major when he was in college, told me that if I was serious about getting a good education, I had to meet with the chair of the sociology department. I pushed back. I complained, “You don’t know what you’re talking about dad… nobody does that… I don’t even have him for class… etc.” But my dad insisted. Maybe he was offering good advice… So, to avoid being hypocritical and not “open” to whatever and wherever life takes me, I made an appointment to meet Dr. Scott Lacy, chair of the Sociology and Anthropology Department at Fairfield University.
Today, I consider Dr. Lacy my mentor. That first meeting was the start of a relationship that has encouraged me to challenge myself to think deeply, be skeptical of taking extreme perspectives, and most importantly, always seek out connection with other people and with nature. Needless to say, I have met with Dr. Lacy frequently after that first meeting.
Where “Yes” Will Take You
At the end of one of our meetings last year, Dr. Lacy told me he was co-hosting a virtual summit called “Leadership in the Age of Personalization” and would send me the link to watch. I wasn’t sure if I would tune in. It was a three-day summit about healthcare, corporate America, and higher education and I was busy. Did I really have the time to virtually attend a summit that does not pertain to my schoolwork or my career aspirations? I did not have any interest in healthcare or corporate America, why should I watch this summit if it wasn’t required of me?
As I tried to make this decision, I thought about all the times I had said “yes” to opportunities. Hadn’t I gotten involved with and eventually become the executive member of the Honors Student Leadership Board simply because I said yes to the opportunity to run for the Board as a first-year? I thought about how throughout my life, saying yes to opportunities has led me to meet new friends. And, of course, I thought about how I said yes to meeting with Dr. Lacy that first time and how the conversations I’ve had with him inspired me to write a book about the social issues I am passionate about (coming soon, stay tuned!).
I realized saying yes to challenging yet exciting opportunities has brought great purpose and joy into my life. So, I decided to say yes to Dr. Lacy’s invitation to attend the summit.
How I ended up in Las Vegas
Virtually attending the 2020 summit was a turning point in my educational journey. I connected with the message of personalization in education; the idea that my education should be unique to me. Being a sociology major was great, but I loved the idea that instead of a major with required courses chosen by faculty, my education should follow a guiding question that I come up with myself.
So, I emailed Dr. Lacy. My enthusiasm practically leapt off the screen. We set up a meeting and next thing I knew I was applying to design my own major guided by a question I devised. Dr. Lacy also took the initiative to forward my email to Glenn Llopis, the founder of the Leadership in the Age of Personalization movement, and soon after, I was receiving personal invitations from Glenn to attend virtual events he was hosting throughout the year. Once again, I was presented with a challenging opportunity. Do I devote time to listen to conversations about healthcare and corporate business when I don’t have to?
I decided to say yes once again. I attended and actively participated in Glenn’s events by listening attentively and asking thoughtful questions. Before long, I received an email from Glenn asking me to meet with him and Dr. Lacy. At the meeting, Glenn invited me to join the consortium of professionals that comprise the “Leaders in the Age of Personalization” and he invited me to speak at the 2021 in-person summit in Las Vegas.
Open Doors
I never thought I would be speaking at a summit in Las Vegas as a junior in college, but that is the power of saying “yes”. By opening myself up and saying yes, I have found that doors have opened for me. Saying “yes” led me to host four events through Fairfield University’s Quick Center for the Arts, it drove me to write a book, and it flew me out to Las Vegas.
In Taoism, there is a concept known as wu-wei. Wu-wei roughly translates to “effortless action”. When we embody wu-wei, we go with the flow. When we say yes to opportunities that challenge our current path we are going with the flow. We are staying flexible and living in harmony with life. I have found that saying yes is powerful. It has imbued my life with purpose and adventure. I will continue saying yes. I hope you will try it too.