mind over matter
By: Victoria De Jorio-Koegler
When I was younger, I detested following routine or rules, the slightest command felt oppressive and strangulating. Conformity was a disease. I welcomed my disorderly, unregulated attitude and relished in my seemingly unique chaos. My room was a mess, my habits were horrible, and my passion was wavering. The curtains DEFINITELY matched the drapes. My grandma was actually the one to assert the values of striking up a balance and a positive attitude. She taught me that making a bed didn’t have to feel regimented, but relieving. She insisted on various principles now embedded in the fabric of my mind and altered its chemistry.
First, the daily practices, those that remind me to be grateful, to breathe, and to take note of the world around me. I like to habitually make my bed every morning. I think of this as a “Thank You” to the space that held me through the night. Making my bed is a costless and priceless treat later in the day. Another daily practice that I enjoy is reading. I believe this practice is self-serving, as it opens my imagination and aids my perspective. Nonetheless, I see its impact in my circle as well. I see the characters who fall off the page, I see the recommendations I can give to others, and I see similar stories that tend to make me more aware of other’s conditions. Finally, my philosophy bleeds into every page of my book, every day. I practice to the maximum capacity, “what you give is what you receive.” This dictum has always felt more like a practice than a saying. This way of life has allowed me to acknowledge what I can give while respecting my emotions, and what I should be expected to receive from others as a result. It is a healthy practice that reminds me of the natural push and pull of life.
In my community, I try to make a real impact. While this may not be a daily routine, it is one that connects me to others. try to contribute my time and energy to causes larger than myself. Working with organizations dedicated to education, housing, and civic engagement has shown me that meaningful change often begins with ordinary people choosing to participate. This truly benefits both them and I, as the individuals who I have gotten the chance to experience have a vastly different perspective than many individuals I naturally grew up around. These individuals have taught me resilience, kindness, and strength.
The irony is not lost on me. The girl who once resisted every routine now relies on them. In a desperate attempt of self-preservation, I would say that the transformation was not a surrender of youth or individuality; it was a realization that discipline and creativity are not opposites. The habits, values, and practices that guide me today do not confine me. They allow me to become the person I aspire to be, to myself, to others, and to the world. Whether it be my smaller practices or deep-rooted beliefs, I am grateful for my ability to participate in a world with so much disorder and equally as much grace.
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