Kairos can be defined by the dictionary as, “the right time or moment.” Meaning, someone is fully ready to devote their whole heart to God, but also time away from any distractions on a daily basis. Kairos can be a whirlwind of emotions that burst sporadically at any given moment. It is a break away from life and all the struggles and stresses that constantly take us on a constant uphill battle. It pulls our attention away from the physical demands of the clock. It gives us a sense of peace of mind and allows us to let go of all the constant thoughts and worries that float and boggle across our minds. For me, Kairos was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, as if I was set free like an angel ascending into heaven. Kairos is an amazing spiritual and emotional journey because of the intriguing stories, beautiful ceremonies, and the abundance of love from others. As I said my goodbyes to my family, I stepped onto the giant yellow bus taking me at the late hours of the night to an unknown mysterious place. I sat down and waited for the long journey to end. My mind restless, full of thoughts and wonder, I pondered what was so special about this extraordinary experience that everyone said to me was, “It is like nothing you have ever experienced in your life. You have to go, it is your time.” Was it the delectable food bar, that made the saliva ooze all throughout one’s mouth? Or …show more content…
I made so many new friends, or as they say “sisters.” We were all able to relate to one another by the stories we shared. Kairos helped me let go of the past. All the insecurities I had put in my emotion filled head were lessened. Kairos gave me that peace of mind like I had taken thousands of meditation classes. I felt like I became this new person, ready to face the world and whatever curveballs life had for me. Still to this day, I would never be who I am today without the help and guidance of
The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon. (Krakauer 57)” McCandless felt the trip was necessary to fill a void in him. He became so infatuated with adventure that he encouraged others to venture out and explore the world. Unfortunately for McCandless he was very stubborn.
After looking into the journey and obstacles he faced to scale this dangerous and intimidating mountain, I noticed with each stop at each rest area he had learned something different about himself or established a new outlook about the journey. But it was not until they were in the final leg of the journey in which he learned his greatest lesson about himself. It was during the last leg that he realized he had spent most of the day looking at “how far he had to go,” instead of relishing in “how far he had come.” After stating he normally views things as “the glass half empty” I realized, I too, have a similar outlook on life. It was in this moment that I realized perception has a large impact on how I maneuver throughout life, bringing the popular phrase “mind over matter” to my
What do the following words or phrases have in common: “the last departure,”, “final curtain,” “the end,” “darkness,” “eternal sleep”, “sweet release,” “afterlife,” and “passing over”? All, whether grim or optimistic, are synonymous with death. Death is a shared human experience. Regardless of age, gender, race, religion, health, wealth, or nationality, it is both an idea and an experience that every individual eventually must confront in the loss of others and finally face the reality of our own. Whether you first encounter it in the loss of a pet, a friend, a family member, a neighbor, a pop culture icon, or a valued community member, it can leave you feeling numb, empty, and shattered inside. But, the world keeps turning and life continues. The late Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computers and of Pixar Animation Studios, in his 2005 speech to the graduating class at Stanford, acknowledged death’s great power by calling it “the single best invention of Life” and “Life’s great change agent.” How, in all its finality and accompanying sadness, can death be good? As a destination, what does it have to teach us about the journey?
“It’s difficult to recall the first time I went to Switzerland. The actual experience of flying across the ocean at a young age felt like journeying to a different world. That eleven-hour flight was such a tedious part of the very exciting journey ahead. I remember once looking out the window of the plane as we touched down and feeling such a deep comfort and contentment. I felt as though I was home. What awaited me were days of family and friends, hiking and exploring, and delicious food. It was always such a beautiful experience being i...
On June fourth this past summer I embarked on a, life-changing journey; Kairos. In Greek, the word Kairos means “appointed time”, but on this retreat it is specified as “a time for God.” Kairos is a four day long retreat that is offered to high school and college students, and as a member of a private Catholic school, I was given the option to attend this retreat during my senior year of high school. I was anxious about attending because the majority of the retreat was kept secret from any student that had not gone, so I had no idea what I was getting myself into. The retreat consisted of talks from the student and adult leaders, activities as a large group, sessions in our designated small groups, and individual time for reflection. Throughout the entire retreat we were encouraged
... that a vast majority of those that complete the journey are left, alone in a whole new world where the laws, people, language, and customs, among countless other things, are foreign.
Kairos is such an incredible life changing experience. You will discover new things about your life, your connection with God and form new forever friendships with people who you will least expect to. Don’t think you’re being rude or selfish talk as much as possible; there is never too much talking on Kairos. Make sure you talk to your group and say what you need to say though. You may regret speaking up, so PARTICIPATE in everything, even if you feel uncomfortable and say two words at least you said something and was a part of that activity. Your group is your FAMILY, they are your LIFE, and your SISTERS use them as your rock. Make sure you give advice to your group or anyone on Kairos because one thing you say to someone could change their lives FOREVER. But also remember kairos is different for everyone, not everyone is going to get an amazing experience, it’s what you make of your time at Stella Maris, use your time wise...
We pulled into the roller coaster park in our Ford Excursion truck. It was me and my dearest friends. Our stomachs were growling like mountain lions. We haven’t had a chance to get something to eat during the trip. I opened the container of ham and cheese sandwiches and have had three sandwiches faster than a track star. My un-calm hands couldn’t even open a bottle of wild cherry soda. Thinking about what I’m going to do when we enter the park.
So this is it. My walk down the plank began as I slowly arrived at the teeth of the beast: the entrance gates. I was sure to remind my brother and sister that I loved them dearly in the chance that I would lose my mind after going mono y mono with the giant coaster. The first of my senses were exercised as my mouth dried up as though I had just swallowed a truckload of sand. My throat quickly shrank to the point where a thread would be a close fit through my esophagus. For the first time, there was no wait to board the coaster and that, to me, was upsetting because I needed time to comprehend wha...
We’re idling across the parking lot with people walking every which way. Everyone flooding into one complex out of the three plus other businesses. Above the door in a greasy stainless steel font, sharp letters spelled Chipotle Mexican Garille. As we squeak to a halt I notice each figure walk one by one into what looked like an archipelago, just there were no islands just a dense area of heavy emotions. I walk in and the vibe of heaviness and pressure invades the stratosphere of my presence. Inside my mind I cannot comprehend how long I might be waiting just to get my food. Standing minute after minute made my legs feel as if my bones were boiling liquid, as if they were lava from an infuriated volcano. I wondered if leaving and coming
The following week realization hit as I boarded the last leg of my flight to Mogadishu; I had finally made a decision on my own. I had literally woken up one morning and dropped my entire life to move the other side of the world on days’ notice. My family thought I had lost it, they could not believe I was returning to the place I had taken so much time adjusting to that summer.
“Brace for impact” The pilot's trembling voice gave me no reassurance, I had already decided in my mind that this was my last hour. I am sitting just as the air hostess had told me, my head in between my legs. I was trying to distract myself from the failing engine, I tried to think of my mother, the person I was flying out to see, I haven’t seen her in a year. She loves me more than anything, she worked three jobs to give this life, to help me pursue my dream as an artist. I hated to think, the death of her only child, my death, would give her so much pain. The plane dropped. My heart skipped a beat, my palm became a pool of sweat, and the decrease in altitude was giving me a headache. I close my eyes. Thud, Creech, Unf. The next thing I knew
At this time in history, Santa was limited to the number of places he can go to deliver toys. Although the reindeer can run faster than the wind there are children who live too far away. Santa and the Elves try every year to deliver more toys than last year. With secret bases around the earth, they can store toys, so Santa will not have to go back to the north pole to refill his toy bag. But, there are some who live too far away to go to on Christmas Eve.
Growing up in Carrollton, a suburb of Dallas, there was never much to do. Consequently, I spent most of my time either reading or watching sports. Both were objects of fantasy, from the world of fiction in novels to the high-flying superstars in the NBA. However, I believed anything was possible.
... executed in order to set off into the world alone. The influence that independent travel has on an individual is a splendor upon riches because it does so much for a person, and provides humans with a sense of the world. How a person can makes new friends and learn about new cultures and accept other people’s way of living. With its educational purposes traveling alone can bring, offers an endless amount of living data that tops any history book or internet page. Traveling is concrete history that is continuing around everyone. It can provide people to look through different lenses and experience aspects of life that they know they will never experience again in their lifetimes. Traveling alone provides an endless journey and an empty page in the minds scrapbook that is waiting to be filled with new memories and the endless amount of true belonging and bliss.