Loyola hit one out of the park when they created 360 retreats!

(baseball
reference on this here world series week). It takes going on one of these to fully
understand how incredible Loyola is. Of course, I didnt think that before going on it.
I was very apprehensive before. Id had a long week and was mentally exhausted. I
didnt know if Id be able to be fully present there, at least socially, and that was
important to me. It seemed like a great opportunity to make friends and meet
people. I would have gone on it even if it hadnt been assigned. I was also looking
forward to the high ropes course and being at LUREC for the entire weekend,
because Id seen it before and it was so natural and peaceful. So, I was experiencing
a lot of conflicting emotions before I crammed some pizza in my face and got on the
bus. My doubts didnt fully settle until that night as we were all playing games and
having a loopy good time-everyone running off their last energy reserves.
I learned a lot about myself on the retreat. I need to be more open. I need to
let myself see the good in others more and not just be cynical. I dont want to be,
but its a tendency of mine that I need to let go of. I was reminded how necessary it
is to stay balanced. Being more mindful of all that I do and say is a goal for this
year. This doesnt mean being more self-conscious-my wild self will live on! I want to
be more aware of others though and more aware of my time and my words. I am my
own worst critic and so I need to find a way to remember that even when I fail at
being mindful, I need to give myself a break too. There is just so much work to be
done to be a citizen of this world. It was helpful for all that Id been thinking about,
be put in front of my eyes again by the students and youth leaders. *to pay
attention* I learned how much other people were struggling too, even though it all
seems so dandy and peachy on the exterior. Were all just trying to meet our posse.
This is a transitory phase-not all that forms now in this beginning stage is
permanent. Its all on its way to something more solid. It was good to recognize that
even in the transitions there are constants that do exist and I have control ofLetting ourselves be ourselves and do what we do. Letting what we do be trying our
best to see peoples interiors and not just the exterior. I am more than my sweater
(although I do love sweaters). I am more than just a suburban, cisgender, straight,
white girl, although these privileges inform my identity. The openness everyone had
for each other, regardless of exteriors, was remarkable. Everyone respected what
others said and listened up. I wish real life worked like this. I wish this bubble didnt
pop when it comes in contact with the harsh reality that is college stress. But I saw
that this was something that was there, and was something to hope for and work
towards creating in your busy life.
This retreat helped me see the student body of Loyola more clearly, and
understand Loyola itself more. It wasnt an Honors retreat, and I was glad of that,
because there was so much more diversity of experience. And not everyone was
complaining about the History of the Peloponnesian war to start conversations.
That would have been great, but this was more of a blank slate that everyone had
to build off of. This retreat also helped me see how truly committed this school is to
inclusion of everyone, and how they want to create an environment that we can
blossom and follow our inner compasses, and not work us to death. They want all of
us to live our best lives. To thrive, not just survive. I noticed how much actual real

diversity Loyola has-conservatives and liberals, people from all sorts of religious
backgrounds, people from all socioeconomic spectrums. It was so refreshing.
Especially in comparison to other liberal arts schools, which proclaim diverse
learning environments and instead impose a neoliberal moral compass onto all their
students. Loyola is a place where all people can make their voices heard, and where
people are dedicated to listening. Or at least working on it. Loyolas missions of
social justice, staying true to your personal moral compass, and fostering
community were so much more evident to me after this retreat.
Thank you 360!!!