Our #MyMagisMessage for the week comes from Erin Ahern, a senior Sociology & Criminology and Psychology double major from Twinsburg, OH!
At which service sites / community partners have you served or been a student liaison?
I have served with St. Francis, the Intergenerational School, and Thomas Jefferson International Newcomer's Academy.
If you had to state your life mission off the top of your head, in one sentence, what would it be?
My life mission is simply to bring as much unconditional love and joy to the world as possible.
Where am I in my life? I would think this should be a simple question to answer, but with the change and pressure this semester has brought, I have not taken enough time to pause and reflect on where and who I am. I know I am a senior and will soon be graduating. I know that I am likely attending law school after graduation. I know, that like many people, I am struggling with all of the distraught 2020 has brought to our country and the globe.
But I am exactly where I am meant to be.
There is no doubt that this year has brought immeasurable struggle and hardship to people all over the world. We have all faced financial, physical, and mental challenges. It can feel extremely draining and at times hopeless. I am able to trust where I am meant to be in my life and that the challenges and disappointments of this year are shaping me into the woman I am on a mission to become, and allows me to see light past the struggle and live the magis. Right now, living the magis means putting faith into the process of self-growth and trusting that where I am now is leading me to a stronger version of myself. It means being able to see that while the world's struggle and my struggles are real, there is hope in knowing that I will be stronger because of it.
Where I see myself grow the most is in community with others. Whether it be friends, family, or colleagues, learning more about others helps me simultaneously learn more about myself and the world around me. Being a part of CSSA and having the opportunity to serve for and with others has led me to understand my mission. Seeing the immense joy and love that the students at all of my service sites have brought to those around them, including myself, has cultivated my passion for bringing more joy and love to the world. Especially during this semester, being able to form community with students at service has helped me recognize that building relationships and continuing to learn from others helps me live the magis, and the self-growth I have seen throughout service and throughout 2020 is leading me to my mission and to the person I hope to become.