The Individual Reflection on the Presence in Class

We live in an age where people are constantly focusing on numbers and data, but what is always overlooked is the impact philosophy has in our day to day lives. It impacts us in our decision making every day. It also affects our professional careers and relationships we have with people. This philosophy class has helped me find the connection to my further development of self. The concepts within the philosophy that we discussed in class has impacted my life specifically with my relationships and my professional career.

I think we learned in class goes beyond the scientific facts or data. It’s more about intuition, reflection, and judgment. It also leads me to truth within myself. In terms of my career, it determines what I want to do professionally. In terms of relationship what I look for in a potential partner. I look for someone who I can have deep conversations with and express my thoughts with too. With my career, I want to do healthcare administration because I want to increase the accessibility of medical services within a hospital or ensure the proper delivery of services to many communities within a healthcare firm.

I have been reflecting using judgment for different courses at Loyola like HSM 310. HSM 310 is a Project Management class for healthcare. We learn the necessary tools, techniques, and information we need to become Project Managers. Levian’s 'The Face' helps me network with other students in this class. I learned that when people see eyes, a nose, or a certain characteristic of the face they discuss it with others as an object. I have learned not to judge people based on their looks because you never what a person is is actually like until you meet them. By judging we as human beings failed to recognize the other person as an equal. It also helped me realize it is not about making a lot of money, but it whether I love what I am doing. Ever since the class has ended, I realized I wanted to pursue a career in Project management or Consulting.

There is a song we discussed in class called the Impossible dream by Joe Darion & Mitchell Leigh. The lyrics from this song have powerful words. One certain stanza that stood out to me was “No matter how hopeless, no matter how far. To fight for the right. Without question or pause. To be willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause.” These words have taught me to follow my dreams of becoming a Project Manager or Consultant out of college. This Philosophy helps me to view situations in a subjective manner where I know I can accomplish my dream as long as I keep pursuing it. I know I will be going through tough times but I have to keep moving forward to fight the battle that comes my way. For my own sake, I don’t want to be a failure. To recognize something that affects you shows you are aware of your weaknesses. Since I know my weaknesses I can work on them and make them into strengths.

With relationships, specifically with my parents, it is an inherent love. No matter how hard times get they will always love me. That’s one thing I always appreciate from them. I learned that love in terms of philosophy is responding to the call of others. Even if the time doesn’t call for it, for example holding the door for someone is responding to the call of the other. I did it anyway without having to expect anything back in return. My parents went on late-night runs for me because I choose to do my projects or homework last minute. The reason they did it is because they do it out of love. In doing so, they responded to the call of the other. They don’t expect anything in return besides love, care, and respect at any given time. That discussion we had in class opened up my eyes because we all make connections with people every day. It is how we choose to engage in those situations which determine what type of relationship I may have with the person.

Kahlil Gibran’s philosophy applies to my relationship with my significant other because I love her. I am willing to through the vulnerability love has. Love is a process, not an outcome. I am willing to go through the trials love has because my significant other is also willing to do that. Together we are building a bond greater than any words can express. We don’t let anyone tell us how the relationship will be or how to run it. We do everything the way we feel works for us. So far, It has been the best month of my life. Without having to experience love how can a person learn to love because love is not only peace and pleasure. If a person believes this, they are sadly mistaken. Being vulnerable to love is expected, and it is a painful process, but it is better to be loved rather than never have loved at all. It is an experience that almost all humans go through. I am very lucky to be in a relationship with someone who understands me on a deep level. She expresses her feelings through actions and that's how I know she loves me.

In general, the 15 weeks I have spent in class have impacted my life positively and sensibly. All of the wisdom and information I gained from the readings and discussions have made me feel like I have grown as a person. All the philosophy learned allows me to access my past and lets me refocus on what I feel and want to do. There is more to life than just raw data. The philosophy we learned in class allows me to faith in myself, my future, my career, and to have faith in my relationships I have found the connection between the mind, and my soul. Without philosophy, I do not know where my life would be headed. I feel wholesome inside and what we have done class has made me feel this way.