Walk the talk

I was not elected as COM President.  The news surprised me tonight, for sure.  But it didn't upset me. I said I respect the election process. It sounded catchy at the time. I truly do, though!  I must have repeated those words so many times that I internalized them.

The way I see it: this last year, I had a formal experience as Class President.  I served. I gained. I achieved triumphs, I admitted mistakes.  Now someone else deserves to have the same chance, the same opportunity, that I did, to develop as a leader in a position of low actual risk. 

Don't get me wrong: I do believe that I was the best candidate to serve.  This isn't specific to this situation; it's a general attitude.  I personally think that nobody should enter a race like this if he doesn't think he's the best for the job.  If you think your competitor is a better choice than you, how can you run in good conscience? You should step down and give up on the spot.

However, the school made the choice and that, in itself, is right.  That's democracy isn't it?  Whatever the majority votes is the right thing to do. The results of the election do not make me doubt my self worth nor my choices during the election, as I'm sure it would have 5 years ago.  What I could have done as COM President, I can do for any organization, and when I'm needed, I can give again.

The only conscious effort I have had to make is to leave behind my curiosity about the vote distribution.  Finding out who voted for who, how close or far the race was: that would indeed be "true but useless."  My sister said once, "Have strong beliefs, yet hold them loosely."  Fight hard in every contest, but leave your battles in the ring.  It's easy to follow the first part of these rules.  Now is my time to prove I can live by the latter.*

A victory speech does not require a win. Thank you to everybody who supported me during this election process. I deeply appreciate every moment you gave me, from your vote to your suffering through my emails, videos, and speeches.  Halfway through this campaign, I found a way to advocate for myself with integrity. That ability is reward enough for this entire experience.

*edit: I just received an email telling me where I could find out the breakdown of votes. This is my chance to walk away!

Rephrasing the lines

I have been asking classmates for their vote throughout this week.  It's uncomfortable and I think I understand why.  During that instant, I put a burden on the classmate: I'm asking him/her to commit on the spot and make a decision under pressure.  With blocks looming in the not-quite-so-distant future, we don't need anymore stress in our lives.

Additionally, whatever his/her choice, he/she has to calculate how to tactfully deliver the response, taking into consideration both myself and the other classmates that are present. I know that I have a difficult time with moments when I'm forced to be politely dishonest.  It is grating and frustrating when I can't express how I truly feel. I can imagine a classmate feeling the same.

So, here's the revised approach:

My name is SP.  I am running for COM President.  Do you have any questions for me?  Please remember to vote before the end of the week.  Thank you.

I'm running for a position.  I'm here if you need me.  The relationship is centered on you.

Vote for who you wish to win.  That decision should be yours to decide, without distraction. I will no longer tell you to vote for me. I respect your autonomous judgement and your choice.

All I ask is that you do choose.  Exercise your right to vote.  Let the results of this election reflect the desires of the entire College of Osteopathic Medicine, not of a select few.

Sincerely,

SP

Once more unto the breach...

Election time, and this one's turning out to be a doozy!  There are three fiercely contested positions up for grabs, and I'm in the running against two other classmates. Today, each of us stood on stage and recited an initial speech, marking the beginning of campaign week.  Let the competition begin!

I've think "competition" has a twisted stigma that I would like to dispel.  I hold the utmost respect for every competitor because he/she is a competitor.  Whatever the field of contest, it takes guts to commit yourself to public examination and judgement.  In stepping forward, you leave behind your previous accomplishments and rely on merit alone.

Scrutiny under the spotlight: though it is a steep price of admission, it is well worth the cost.  Although we compete for a service position, and the class chooses in its best interests, it is us who benefit the most from the process. We discover latent strengths acquired from experience. We examine ourselves, find out what we stand for, pin down our values. We learn ways to effectively express our motives and passions to others.  These are skills that we will hold long after the final ballot is announced.

Good luck to all of the candidates!

Predetermination

Waiting to hear from graduate programs? Imagine you are accepted to all: know where you would go.  Trying to avoid an ex? It's not a question of "if," but "when," he will try to contact you.  Prepare your speech, or better yet, decide now to ignore the call. Did you just get into a bike accident and have a broken arm? Have an advanced directive in your wallet so that the ambulance knows to take you to a hospital that is under your insurance coverage.

We should make our decisions ahead of time.  If we don't, emotions will skew our decisions.

Case in point: You've paid the fees, signed the waivers, and are now flying at 20,000 ft, clutching the airplane door: a parachute strapped on your back, a trainer by your side.  At that moment, do you consider the risks of skydiving, the dangers, the potential complications?  Do you perform cost-benefit analyses, consult your best friend on the phone, research the tips and tricks online?  

Of course not.  You rally your nerve and take the plunge. You made the decision to skydive long before the moment when you are confronted with the choice.  You remember your original motivations and you choose the path that your resting, logical state desired.

PS: I don't think we'll ever be free from our emotions, nor that we should.  They offer insight into our subconscious and we should embrace them for that alone.  I've been a performing artist on stages for 20 years.  I still get dry mouth, anxiety, sweaty palms, tremors, etc, before every show.  

But I'm glad I'm nervous.  Those signs tell me that I'm doing something special, something important.  If I'm nervous, it's because I care about the outcome.  I care because there's something in that event that I value.  And in a world of ever-increasing apathy, it's vital to identify your values and hold onto them.