September is here and that means cooler weather, the start of fall semester and National Recovery Month celebrations. “Recovery Month,now in its 25th year, highlights individuals who have reclaimed their lives and are living happy and healthy lives in long-term recovery and also honors the prevention, treatment, and recovery service providers who make recovery possible. Recovery Month promotes the message that recovery in all its forms is possible, and also encourages citizens to take action to help expand and improve the availability of effective prevention, treatment, and recovery services for those in need.” (SAMSHA)

The StepUP Program at Augsburg College and the Minnesota Recovery Connection hosted the annual Spirituality Breakfast on September 4^th.  This event is one of many recovery events held every September in Minnesota and around the country. For details about the September 20^th Walk for Recovery and the “clean V” art exhibit, visit the Minnesota Recovery Connection.

Nearly 200 people attended the Spirituality Breakfast, which was held in the Hoversten chapel on campus. As light streamed through the high windows, Dan M, a StepUP student and junior at Augsburg, read President Obama’s Recovery Month Proclamation.

Leoni M, a StepUP student and senior at Augsburg, shared her reflection on her journey with spirituality. She shared her recent frustration with someone, and a roommate reminded her that “When a person offends us, it is often because they are spiritually sick.” Leonie humbly admitted she was learning tolerance. “Tolerance means that although I am the composer of my own life, I need to recognize that others around me are also playing their own songs – and I must respect that.”

Leonie shared her favorite story about Buddha, the story of having tea with Mara, revealing the power of having a friendly heart. “The night before his enlightenment, Buddha fought a great battle with the demon god, Mara, who attacked the then Siddhartha Gautama with everything he had: lust, greed, anger and doubt. Having failed, Mara left in disarray on the morning of Buddha’s enlightenment. But Mara was only temporarily discouraged. Even after Buddha had become deeply revered throughout India, Mara continued to make unexpected appearances. And when Mara returned, instead of ignoring him, Buddha would calmly acknowledge his presence, saying, “I see you, Mara.” He would than invite him for tea and serve him as an honored guest. Mara would stay for a while and then go; throughout the visits the Buddha remained free and undisturbed.” For Leonie, Mara is a form of troubling emotions. “Practicing having a friendly heart allows us to be kind to ourselves. It gives us the opportunity to see what is true around us, and guides us to handle those fearful emotions, unexpected burdens, and restores us back to balance.”

Leonie’s final message was the most important gift she has ever received: the attitude of gratitude. “The attitude of gratitude,” as Melody Beattie wrote, “unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, and confusion into clarity.”

JoAnne Campbell-Rice—a spiritual director at Hazelden’s Dan Anderson Renewal Center—was the keynote speaker. She read the poem “When I am Among the Trees,” by Mary Oliver, and focused her talk on the last two stanzas:

Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.

And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.”

Instructions from the trees include, first, “Go easy.” She encouraged us to give ourselves permission to take some time daily with no agenda. Second, “Get filled with light.” Find something to savor every day; we grow into what we savor. Finally, the trees remind us “to shine.” JoAnne said “Say yes to the invitation to enlarge your spiritual life.” She left us with the question: “What’s the smallest thing you can commit to, to enhance your spiritual fitness?”

Later that morning in daily chapel the focus was Spirituality and Recovery. After singing “Will You Let Me Be Your Servant,” and saying the third step prayer, the audience heard a story of hope from StepUP student Andrew H. He shared his experiences in recovery, including his spiritual journey, with authenticity and hope.

 

Written By: Katie Butler

Only a few more days left of summer break. While we look forward to spending these last few days at the State Fair eating food on a stick, soaking in the rays of sunshine, or perhaps accepting the Ice Bucket Challenge – we are excited to welcome our incoming 2014 StepUP Students!!

The last three days have been filled with StepUP new student orientation programming. Similar to past years the first day was an opportunity for not only the students to meet one another but also for families to meet each other with some being at Augsburg College for their first time. It was a day filled with a variety of feelings – excitement, nervousness, gratitude, anxiousness, disbelief, joy. There is not one defined feeling to describe the first day of orientation.

That morning I had received an email from Patrice who stated “Today is one of two days in the school year that moves my heart and soul in ways that are wonderful. You see, today is ripe with potential. Students and families balancing excitement and nervousness.  For most, a second chance at life as it may have been dreamed of. For others a third, or fourth chance to dive deep to find the richness of recovery with the boldness of education.” Congratulations to all of you for taking the chance to dive in!

The next day seemed to bring a new type of energy. It started with some coffee and acoustic music. The afternoon was filled with the sound of laughter and cheers as students challenged and supported one another on the rope course at Camp St. Croix. There was already a sense of a community being established amongst the group. Friendships forming that will be lifelong full of support, trust, and care.

On the last and final day of orientation the incoming students were greeted by Augsburg College President Dr. Paul Pribbenow. He expressed his support and the importance of the StepUP students to Augsburg College. He reflected on the similarities of recovery and the Lutheran traditions such as service in the community. The students also had the opportunity to begin preparing their time management skills for the upcoming semester with Debbie Shapiro and practice some mindfulness skills with Jon Vaughan-Fier. The last and final day wrapped up with the final student panel which discussed “How to Succeed-Fail; Overcoming Your Fears”.

Overall, the last few days seemed to be a success. We are also excited to welcome back our returning students! We join as a whole community for the first time this semester at Circle on Monday, September 8^th at 5pm!

As the new counselor at the StepUP Program I am looking forward to meeting all of you! I am excited to be returning to Augsburg College after completing my internship with the StepUP Program two years ago. It was such a fulfilling experience in which I am so grateful to be given the opportunity to return here. StepUP is the program it is because it is full of life, recovery, hope, wisdom, inspiration and success that each of you bring to the community! During my academic career it was my dream to one day be a part of this program and recently I was given that opportunity. I look forward to working with the students in the StepUP Program to help you all reach and achieve your hopes and dreams as well!

Enjoy your last few days of summer! Again, welcome 2014 StepUP students!!!

*For more pictures check out the StepUP Program Facebook page!

 

— Lynn Ellingson

Two StepUP students who are graduating from Augsburg this May have exciting plans for graduate school.

Kevin M. was accepted into the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at Palo Alto University and awarded the maximum Fellowship. He is interested in researching antecedents and comorbidity in substance use disorder within the young adult population.

Alex G. was selected as a 2014 W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship. He is admitted to the Master’s program at the University of Michigan, and will receive a Fellowship of $30,000 to support his studies.

Congratulations Kevin and Alex!

Written by Tory Rogers    

I have found through experience motivation to complete assignments after returning from spring break has become rather difficult for students. College unlike high school is a place where students must initiate motivation. As a college student if you are not self-motivated then why even go to college in the first place.

Although college is a student’s choice it is understandable for a student to feel unmotivated after break. Not only do the students struggle with self-motivation, but faculty can also struggle with motivating the students as well. After reading the article “Motivation after Spring Break” published on Duquesne University’s website I have found some useful tips for college students and faculty members as they return from spring break. Here is the article below…

Motivation after Spring Break

Returning from spring break is hard for faculty and students.  Whether you used break for fun or work, getting back on track and regaining momentum are essentials for successfully completing the semester.  Motivation is a factor that both students and faculty must nurture.  You have a role in producing motivation.

For Students

Motivate Your Learning after Spring Break

1. Assess your learning to this point in the semester.

Taking time to examine your performance on finished tests, quizzes, papers and projects can help you understand how to adjust your study for better performance.  Several websites offer post-test surveys that can help students determine what went wrong and how to adjust study skills.

2. Practice weekly calendar reviews and updates

On Sunday night review your syllabi and calendar to be mindful of deadlines and approaching exams or papers.

3. Prioritize assignments.

If you know that a major project is coming due, plan your time effectively.  Divide large assignments into manageable parts and hold yourself to accomplishing each part in a timely way.  Accomplishing manageable goals increases your self-confidence.

4. Develop alternative study places.

As the weather warms, try to find a spot outdoors where you enjoy working that is free from distractions where you can study.  Diffuse sunlight by a window can increase your energy.

5. Connect with fellow students to study.

Working with your classmates can get you back on track to refocus on what is important and to hold you accountable in the last part of the semester.

For Faculty

Motivating Students after Spring Break

1. Assess where you are and map out what needs covered to maximize student learning in the final half of the semester.

2. Greet students and inquire about their spring break – Reconnecting with your students after break shows that you value them as people and increases the likelihood that they will in turn show interest to the course materials.

3. Vary your Teaching Style

a. Arrange for a guest presenter.

b. Show a video.

c. Devote part of a class to reviewing the major issues covered so far, preview, and outline what is coming for the remainder of the term.

d. Invite student participation in a new way — Ask students to comb newspapers, magazines, journals, websites, and YouTube for relevant examples of what the course has covered and to bring the materials to share with the class.

e. Play music before the beginning of class that relates to the material.

4. Congratulate accomplishments to help students sense their mastery of the materials and to encourage further learning.  A sense of mastery is a major motivational issue in learning.  Students who sense achievement perform better than students who feel lost or overwhelmed.  Spend some time getting students to recognize what they already have mastered and emphasize its importance.  Encouragement goes a long way.

I feel that the tips given to students in this article are so useful and beneficial that it is only to your advantage to read them. As we slowly inch towards summer, and the thought of freedom is in the back of our minds, we must keep the thought of motivation as our main priority. As long as the motivation remains there is no reason a student cannot succeed.

The optimal solution is to have the slowest people crossing together; here is the order:

1. The two sober guys climb up first = 2 minutes
2. The “decade recovery dude” climbs back down = 3 minutes
3. Next, the two tipsy guys crawl up = 13 minutes
4. The “other recovery dude” comes back down = 15 minutes
5. Two recovery guys share bits of wisdom as they climb up together again = 17 minutes, just in time to make the meeting!

Tim Brustad submitted this riddle; check back next week for the answer!

Four people want to go to this great AA meeting. Two of them are already working a great program; the other two are a little tipsy and moving pretty slow. BUT they are willing to hit the meeting and see what it’s all about.

The challenge is that in order to get to this dynamite meeting they have to walk up this old, dark, rickety, stair case, ironically it has “12-steps.”  They can see the lights through the partially open door to the meeting room at the top of the stairs.

They decide that only two people can go up at a time and they are running out of time before the meeting starts.

Since some are sober and some are too tipsy, they discover that they all move at different speeds. The individual with 10 years of sobriety can make it up these 12 steps in 1 minute. The other recovery “dude” can make it up the stairs in 2 minutes. Of the two stoned guys one can make it in 5 minutes, the other in 10 minutes. Since the program is all about helping another individual, if two people walk together they can only walk as fast as the slowest person can make it. They only have one flashlight so once two arrive at the top of the stairs one has to go back down with the flashlight.

Unfortunately, there are only 17 minutes left until the meeting starts. How can these four AA travelers climb the 12 steps before time runs out?