Guest post by Dr. Lynn Mizzi Brysacz, Residential Faculty, Counseling Department
I’m so appreciative of Meghan and Beth for inviting me to contribute. I’m a journaler and for those of you who knew me in 2018-2019 you know I used Caring Bridge to journal during my cancer journey. I find journaling – whether for public consumption as in Caring Bridge or in one of my many journals at home – very therapeutic.
And I could use some therapy now as I have made the bittersweet decision to retire. I leave behind so many attachments – colleagues, my purple office, the palm trees and rose bushes, students, my classes. All the accumulated papers, powerpoints, and people. I’m SO grateful. What comes with me is what I’ve learned and my passion for working with people in transition. College students. People with cancer. People new to our country. People who are dying. I believe transitions are opportunities. For growth, for transformation, for shedding old skin, for shifting perspective, for being real.
As I transition, shift perspective, grow into what comes next, there are some things I’ve learned that I want to remind myself (and any readers):
- Say hello. To everyone. I want every person to know they matter. They are valuable. I remember traveling to a place where everyone acknowledged each other in passing. It was so refreshing and humanizing. I wanted to bring that back with me, but it faded after a while. I excused myself when I saw a head bowed down. Or ear buds in. But maybe that’s the person who craves a hello. And wants to hear their voice say “Hello” back.
- Speak up when you feel it’s right. You (and whoever else) can handle it.
- Show up. To performances, talks, Farmers Markets, CTLE and club events. There are SO many activities on campus, it can be overwhelming. I try to make it to at least 1 or 2 a semester.
- Smile. Even when deep in thought (I almost didn’t get a job once because the interview team thought I wasn’t personable enough due to my serious facial expression.)
- Share. There’s enough. Praise. Time. Paper. Chocolate.
- Speaking of sharing praise, Nominate. For Gaucho Globes. You Matter. Outstanding Student. Innovation of the Year. Everyone matters.
- Sing. I often sing “So long! Farewell! Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu!” to whoever is left at the front desk when I leave for the day. Ending with a little twirl and a curtsey. Silly, but it generates smiles – if also quizzical looks from the student workers and a fleeting commitment to check out that movie Lynn says is one of her favorites. Oh! And “Sto lat” at every celebration – birthday, major accomplishment, retirement! Just ask and I’ll sing it for you, too! Hopefully with the help of my colleagues who are quite familiar with it by now ;).
- Believe. In each student’s abilities. In the goodness of others. Even those you disagree with. In your ideas. In others’ ideas. In the value of diversity and the power of teams.
Is this enough? There’s so much more…there’s so much more…I love you all. Thank you for being my colleagues. Friends. Mentors. For challenging me. For sharing, singing, smiling, believing. “So long. Farewell. Auf Wiedersehen. Adieu!”
