SERVING THE NEXT GENERATION
Overcoming Adversity
Highlighting Sherlyn Ramos, 17
In today’s modern fast-paced world, everyone is concerned with what image they present, and oftentimes they forget to look within themselves as to what to do next. I am lucky enough to have had a good support system; yet, when it came to believing in myself the only real obstacle was my own mind. I kept feeling like I was an impostor, a figment of my own imagination, I felt bewildered as to why all these different people were supportive and rooting for me. Even after making a name for myself, my mind would alter my achievements into impurities, it would constantly tell me I didn’t deserve it. Why me out of all the others? I am not worthy, there are those who have more, those that could truly make it, those that were not tainted. No one really knows how deeply you can get trapped within your own thoughts. For me, it was a never ending cycle of getting torn down by myself and the standards I constrained myself to. Eventually, I came to realize, I need to be here because there isn't anyone like me. I acknowledged that I do not need to depend on others to know who I am. I know my motives, I know my reasons, I know what I deserve, and I hold myself to a high regard. In part, most of this was thanks to more emotional and self development, something I did not understand the importance of until I started working with Ms. Diva and Ms. Shadai. In my family, emotions were deemed a handicap, and letting them consume you would be just the same as failure overall. Once I gained exposure to a broader spectrum of thinking and self help, I learned how I perceived myself wasn’t healthy for me, and that it was not too late to better myself. Eventually, I could be authentic, and understand that I am where I am because I put myself here, and better yet, I learned to be present.
My favorite quotes:
“You spend everyday in your mind, make it a good place to be.” - Anonymous
“Todo está por hacerse” - Everything is to be done!
"If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.” - Lao Tzu
“Be a loner. That gives you time to wonder, to search for the truth. Have holy curiosity. Make your life worth living.” - Albert Einstein
“Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder.” - Rumi
Exceptionally Resilient
What our students are saying about the EI Institute...
- "I enjoyed learning about interpersonal skills because I never knew what they were and how they are used correctly."
- "The aspects of this session that are most valuable is to learn about myself and how to improve myself more for the future."
- "Learning to recognize aspects of interpersonal relationships was very important."
- "Knowing that people should be assertive and that they should always take care of their emotional health."
- "I enjoyed learning about the different topics we were taught and started to try and use all of them after learning about them."
- "The advice given for one of my weaknesses were very valuable. The results of this session were very useful because now I can look at them and identify what I need to improve."
- "The aspects that where most useful were learning about different ways to trust and go beyond the surface when communicating with someone."
- "I think learning about interpersonal relationships was the most valuable lesson throughout this entire course as it helped me make stronger and more authentic relationships in my own personal life."
- "The ideas and solutions that the instructors gave on problem solving and self-actualization were the most valuable. They did not give the answer right away and allowed us to solve or look for the answers for ourselves and lead us in the direction."
- "I wasn’t sure how to be assertive without being aggressive, so the course helped me realize the difference."
