Marina McKeown Dr.
Ellis
iExamen #2 3/14/13
The iExamen
challenge to only say what is kind, true, and useful at first did not pose a
challenge to me. I expected the day to follow in a similar manner to my normal
routine and conversations. I was the most nervous in regards to talking too
much as a result of being consciously aware of only saying kind, true, and
useful things. Upon reflection of my iExamen experience I was able to connect
the importance of kindness, honesty, and usefulness to various Jesuit core
values. The values I especially related to were academic excellence, a focus on
the whole person, honesty and integrity, diversity, and community.
The
iExamen experience to only say what is kind, true, and useful applies to the
Loyola University Jesuit values. The first core value, academic excellence, regards
the “the pursuit of academic excellence includes promoting a love for learning,
discovery, and integration across a wide range of disciplines and interests.” I
think that in order to pursue an education and discover new things across a
diverse range of topics it is important to be honest, recognize what is useful,
and be open to new experiences through kindness and consideration for new
things. During my observations of my methods of communicating I realized I was
more confident to answer in class when I realized that it would more beneficial
or useful to ask a question to participate than to be embarrassed of speaking
in front of my classmates.
I
noticed that useful and true comments applied to the value of focusing on the
whole person, ‘to the classical ideal of “a sound mind in a sound body”’. When
asked by friends if we should go to the FAC for “Absolution” I responded honestly with yes, although
I could have told a white lie and claimed to be too busy. Instead, it is
important to be healthy and to stay in shape. In being honest to myself I was
able to work towards a “sound mind in a sound body”.
“…Insistence
on integrity and honesty has been seen in Jesuit education as a vital element
in caring for and educating the whole person…”. The core value of honesty and
integrity as practiced through the iExamen is part of the Jesuit values
foundation. Honesty is vital and beneficial in every aspect of life. I
recognized during my experience that honesty, as cliché as it sounds, is always
the best policy. Honesty helps avoid future problems that arise from misleading
information, and help build character. Although it can be hard to always be
honest, it is the best course of action in the long run. Instead of lying and
pretending to make lunch plans later in the week I knew I would have to cancel
on anyway, I was honest and said I wouldn’t be able to. The upfront honesty
made me realize I wasn’t a bad person just because this week didn’t work for
me, and it helped me avoid the stress of canceling on a friend later in the
week.
In regards to diversity, the “Jesuits have been noted for their openness
to and close observation of cultures other their own…”, kindness, honesty,
usefulness all apply to the diversity aspect. Also it is closely related to
community, to “encourage open sharing of ideas and values…”. In order to be open to new experiences and
cultures it is important to look at the world and act with kindness. Also
honesty within a person is vital to make the most of experiencing a new culture,
to have a useful experience. I believe honesty, kindness, and usefulness are
important traits to practice especially while I look forward to traveling
abroad my junior year.
The iExamen
challenge to speak kindly, truthfully, and useful comments helped increase my
awareness of the importance of the Jesuit values. Although I like to think I usually am polite,
kind, honest, and make comments that are beneficially to society, I am
completely aware that I mess up and make mistakes. I noticed my communication
differed in that I had fewer slip-ups of saying something that violated the
iExamen conditions. Also I was aware of my connecting such simple qualities to
the bigger picture of a Jesuit education and being able to share useful
information, through kindness and honesty will benefit my education as person
as a whole.
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