By: Rula Andriessen May 27th 2010
I've always loved fairy tales. The castles, the dresses, the crowns, the drama, the prince...I love it all. I used to collect purses, keychains, tshirts, books - anything that even breathed the idea "royalty". When Disney produced The Princess Diaries, I was in heaven. What a story! I used to think the best part of the movie was the end...Mia is beautiful, she's wearing the crown, and she's in her own airplane flying above a beautiful view of her new estate.
Now, though, I prefer the scenes leading up to that happy ending. They're full of questions and full of opportunities for Mia to embrace growing up. My new favorite scene is the one on the basketball court involving Mia and her best friend Lilly. Mia tearfully confides that she doesn't think she's ready to be royalty. Her best friend - pushy, but wise beyond her years - takes Mia firmly by the shoulders and says "Wanting to rock the world, but having zip power? Like me? Now that's a nightmare. But you? Wow. WOW is having the power to affect change. What more of a miracle do you want?"
Do you have friends like that? It’s always a great moment in a friendship when one friend can help another see things clearly. This line of the movie has been in my head all semester when I think of you all.
You, like Mia, have an awesome role - a founding member of the 2010 Delta Xi Chapter. Just like Mia, you have an even greater responsibility - to be an innovator, a catalyst for change. You have great friends who will help you see things clearly when your plans seem unattainable and fraught with failures. In short, you have the power to affect change.
Change and innovation were two of our most popular discussion topics this year. We usually found that
asking questions was a good way to come across the best answers as to how to affect that change. Do you remember our sisterhood retreat, and the innovation challenge we took? Spend 25 minutes per day questioning your status quo.
Well, as my time with the title "Leadership Consultant" grows small, I'll embrace my role as your sister and your friend and ask you some parting questions in the hopes that you'll see your role for the coming years more clearly.
First, I want you to think about your happy ending as a collegiate member of Delta Xi. You're wearing the robe at graduation on a sunny day in Arizona, and something amazing has happened. Something absolutely outstanding has happened in the Greek community that people can't stop talking about. And it wouldn't have happened if you weren't Greek.
-First, who is standing by your side? Fraternity implies that great things come to those who work together for a common purpose greater than themselves. Who has supported you in the long process that culminated in your happy ending? If you could guess today, name those people.
-As they've supported you, you've supported them in their successes. How?
-You learned an important lesson and it's changed the way you think about your relationships with people and the world.
What would you like to challenge yourself to learn by being Greek?
-With the knowledge that you acquired, what do you want to change about Greek life? What seems easy to ignore, but shouldn't be ignored?
-What do you like and want to enhance?
-How will you affect ONE life on campus by creating change in Greek life?
You have the power to affect change. It starts by challenging your Greek community and yourself with intelligent questions.
So, start asking yourself every day:
-What has Alpha Gamma Delta given me?
-What have I given to Alpha Gamma Delta?
-Am I actively embracing the power to affect change?
-How?
-Do I understand my place as a potential catalyst for change in the chapter and the community? If not, what am I doing to work toward that understanding?
-What's holding me back from starting right now to be the best sorority member I can be?
-How do I want to make Alpha Gamma Delta - and myself - the very best at Arizona State University?
This semester, every one of you made an important decision to commit - to an organization, yes, but more importantly, to yourselves, your newfound friends, and your potential to write your own happy ending. Wow. ROCK ON, LADIES. YOU KNOW YOU HAVE THE POWER.
