Lifesavers

The people in this picture saved my life. Not literally, but they changed me in a way that I will forever be grateful. I made decisions as a student that I thought would bring me satisfaction and joy, and, needless to say, hindsight is twenty-twenty. I ventured from a position where I was constantly supporting others to the point of exhaustion at the expense of my happiness and self-respect to a position of leadership and respect. But, when I met these people by joining the Leadership staff of UCLA's Student Wellness Commission, my entire view of myself changed.

Upon entering UCLA, I was convinced that as one student among thousands my contributions to the campus would be lost amongst many. As a senior, graduating from one the most well-respected, highly-ranked institutions of higher learning, I received one of the most meaningful compliments a person can receive: "Can you just stay another year? You know, just be a super-senior... we don't want you to leave."

To know that an article of my creation, SWC's Body Image Task Force, had not only inspired people to  look at the way the media, family, friends, and the environment influenced their views on "the self", but would exist for future generations of Bruins to learn from and further, is extremely empowering. When younger students confessed that without my encouragement and advice they would never have pursued  "that" major, or "that leadership position", or "that dream", I was humbled.

I worked diligently and was able to change the landscape of the UCLA campus in my own small way, while earning the appropriate respect that I deserved.  I could make people see the beauty inside themselves that was just waiting to escape and make a lasting impression on the world. I could debate cultural norms and society's expectations, and the hypocrisy that came along with these aspect's of our existence, and learn (what a concept!) about myself and why I am the way that I am.

So thank you to my Bruin family for returning my self-respect to me. I am not sure how many of you know what you mean to me; I probably should have been more upfront with my absolute love, bordering on obsession, for you all.

Humbly yours,
EmBoss