Nivedha Balan

LDRS 1015
Catherine Cotrupi
December 6th, 2015
Change Lab Personal Reflection
When I was thrown into a group with Jill, Maureen, and JD, I was a
little lost and confused. I didnt know my group very well so I wasnt
sure how to begin the conversation. On top of that, Maureen and JD
werent there so I was talking to Jill one-on-one. Honestly, that was
probably better because Im a very reserved person and talking about
my passions and dreams is something I do with very few people.
Nevertheless, I told Jill about my desire to help erase the stigma
surrounding mental health. She, unfortunately, did not share my
interest to the extent that I did. Instead, she was passionate about
helping children in the classroom. It was a bit hard for me to give up
this opportunity to learn and talk about the concept that I am most
enthusiastic about.
As cheesy as it sounds, this simple experience changed me. I am
usually the only one who has a passion because teenagers at this age
are quite indifferent to things. But, suddenly, I was an unstoppable
forced met with an immovable object. Jill and I were both equally as
passionate about our respective concepts and we both really wanted to
focus on our own. This project gave me the chance to take a step back
even though it meant not getting what I wanted. Amazingly, it
resulted in something magnificent: new knowledge. I learned a lot
about kids in the classroom and even came up with some possible
solutions. But, even though this time it ended with a positive outcome,
should I always let the other person/people gets their way? When
should I push for what I want and when should I let the others win?
My beliefs are definitely changed because I was so sure that I
was the only open-minded, curious, strategic thinker (obviously, this
isnt true, but this is what my ignorant, childish mind assumed). I can
easily use what I learned in other situations because now I know that I
may not always get what I want, but that doesnt always have to be a
bad thing. This reflection leads me to believe that there are many
wonderful people out there with extravagant ideas and that I should be
willing to listen to them more often.
As random as it sounds, this whole experience reminds me of the
Planned Parenthood situation. When the Senate voted to defund
Planned Parenthood, I thought all hope was lost. I thought this is it
now theres going to be unsafe abortion practices and even other
problems. But, that was before I knew that there was still time for the
President to veto the bill. I completely erased the whole checks and
balances system from my head after eighth grade social studies. But

when I realized the truth, I was suddenly relieved. Similarly, when Jill
brought up her idea, I thought thats it, I cant get what I want and
were going to fail before realizing that her idea could be good too and
if its not, there is still time for me to present my idea, and in a way
veto hers. Looking at the opposite way, its like I created my idea (The
House) and it was okay-ed by Maureen and JD (The Senate) but then
vetoed by Jill (The Executive). It seems like a long shot, but it honestly
makes sense to me like this. I think the system of checks and balances
exists, of course, in Washington D.C., but also in our daily lives. For
another example, take going out to dinner. My friend Priyanka will
suggest something then Resham will agree to it then I might deny it. I
think that this happens in the classroom too because there will be
something suggested by a student (like an extension for an essay) and
the rest of the class will agree, and the professor will choose whether
to agree or disagree. But, if only a few students agree, then nothing
happens. The system of checks and balances occurs in the business
world too. My dad works at Visa now. Hes been a president, a
manager, and an employee and he knows that all of those positions
depend on one another. One cannot have something that the other two
do not want; because that is the way that society currently works. It is
important that no one person or organization gets to much power. Just
like me. I thought I had all that power, but Jill put me in my place and
reminded me that I will not always get what I want and that that is
okay.