“What we need is not just to create safe spaces, but to create brave ones, where people are encouraged to challenge each other…to establish a culture of belonging where all people feel they can be at the table.”
– Sian Beilock, President of Dartmouth
Hey Dartmouth,
As we turn the corner towards a new academic year we want to warmly welcome all of the recent new arrivals to Dartmouth (including our new President Beilock!) and give an enthusiastic “welcome back”(!) to all of those that have rejoined our shared community
Our team at the Student Wellness Center (SWC) wholeheartedly wants to help create a community where everyone feels supported in being who they want to be, while living a life they want to be living, and empowered to help others do the same. And we recognize that it can be a tall order (and more than a little scary) to express who we truly are without fear of judgment, let alone creating spaces for others to do so.
With that in mind, we will be exploring ‘Brave Connections’ this fall and how we can tap into our strength of bravery to collectively build a culture of belonging and authenticity.
To kick-start this theme, let’s start at the very top. What do we really mean when we say bravery? The VIA Institute on Character says that to be brave is to act on your deepest convictions, and to face threats, challenges, difficulties, and pains, despite any doubts and fears.
Beyond the physical acts of courage we normally think of (eg. fire fighter running into burning building), bravery can also encompass acts of:
- EMPATHY – the ability to sense others emotions and imagine what someone else might be thinking or feeling
- VULNERABILITY – the ability to face uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure.
- COMPASSION – our ability to take the perspective of and feel the emotions of another person, and includes the desire to help.
- GENEROSITY – virtue of giving good things to others freely and abundantly.
- NON-JUDGMENTAL – letting go of the automatic judgments that arise in your mind with every experience you have.
- SELF-ACCEPTANCE – the ability to unconditionally accept both your strengths and your challenges (or areas of growth).
With those qualities in mind, our theme of ‘Brave Connections’ is all about recognizing that bravery is much more than exhibiting signs of power and strength. That it is equally, if not more, about tapping into the courage it takes to be vulnerable; to step into emotional uncertainty and let yourself be seen. Whether it is through exploring our own inner worlds, connecting with others we typically wouldn’t connect with, exploring new and innovative ways of thinking, or creating spaces where all individuals feel encouraged to speak up and share their perspectives, ‘Brave Connections’ creates a culture that encourages authenticity and builds a sense of true belonging for everyone.
Each week this fall we will explore different aspects of ‘Brave Connections’ to bring greater awareness to how bravery looks and feels and explore the ways we can activate this strength more intentionally into our lives within ourselves, with others, and in community.
Our team at the Student Wellness Center (SWC) is grateful to have you as part of our community and can’t wait to get to know you better,
Your friends at the Student Wellness Center
PS…
Remember the SWC is here for you – If you need someone to talk to we provide one-on-one wellness check-ins. If taking time for yourself in a group experience would be best, join in with others during our mindfulness meditations or yoga classes.
We’ll also continue to offer our Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS) sessions to students who want to take a deeper dive into their wellbeing, our Sexual Violence Prevention Project (SVPP) trainings and offer other SWC resources and services.
Reflection:
When have you felt the strongest sense that ‘you belong’? What were the qualities of that time, space and of the people around you that contributed to that sense of belonging?