16/12/2013 1 Comment 'Tis the season'Tis the season to be merry...and to think about other people. While we're all celebrating, Christmas, Hanukkah, Thanksgivukkah - there are many people out there who are unable to celebrate. For many, the festive season can be a sad and lonely time. So, think about others. Have a canned food drive. Raise some money for a local soup kitchen. Give service to a local charity. Be of good cheer and spread Christmas joy around. Think about loved ones at home and far away. Think about the elderly. Celebrate the magic of the season with some young people who still see the magic all around them. Have a wonderful time - and be all that you can be for those around you.
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31/10/2013 0 Comments Find your inner strength"In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back." - Camus
Everywhere you go, people talk about how to get fit and how to make your body stronger. Something we should consider as well is how to make our inner selves stronger. Just as we can work on developing our physical strength by eating healthy foods and doing exercise, it’s equally important that we develop our inner strength. The only way to make it through the twists and turns that life can throw at you is to have inside of you a well of strength to draw upon. Here are some ideas of ways to help you build your inner strength. 1. Have a supportive community and find your tribe. The most basic and instinctive need as humans is our need to belong and be connected to a tribe or a community. It’s one of the first levels on Maslow’s Hierarchy, a psychology theory that organizes our basic needs in our personal development. We might want to go it alone, but that can make life really difficult. As humans, we have a built-in desire to belong. You can find community nearly everywhere, whether that is your sorority sisters, your close group of girlfriends, your family, at your gym, church or work. You can even find communities with your interests on Facebook, on forums and on sites like Meetup.com. Having a community to fall back on is the equivalent of having a back up net to catch you should you fall. 2. Practice saying “No” and pick your battles wisely. It can be very easy to take on extra commitments and obligations even when we don’t want to or don't have time. Sometimes we just can't help but say, "Yes, I'll do it." When we take on responsibilities that we don’t have the time or energy to commit to, it can drain our reserves and make it difficult to take care of ourselves. Saying “yes” to running the fundraiser at your child's school, or picking up an acquaintance at the airport when you really don’t have the time, is like purposely poking a hole in your tank and allowing your energy to leak out. Not only does saying “no” free up time for yourself, it can be very empowering, and an unlikely source of strength. Pick and choose what things you want to do, and balance them with the things you must do. By saying no to the things you really don’t want to do, you create a sense of inner strength while freeing up your time and energy to do the things that are going to serve you best. 3. Be thankful. Life can suck, but if you look around you, you'll find any number of things to be grateful for. The joy you derive from the world around you is the fuel that'll push you through the hardest of times, so pay attention to what you have and enjoy it for what it's worth. And when you're having a hard time seeing just what it is you can be thankful for, your tribe can help you take a closer look at the things around you. And if you're still having trouble, try giving back to your community. At least that way someone else will have something to be thankful for - you. 4. Remember that nothing is permanent. If you’re in the middle of a period of grief or pain that you can’t control, stand aside and let the moment happen. If you are going through a prolonged period of difficulty, remind yourself that this, too, shall pass. But there is also no shame is asking for help if you need it. And we all need it sometimes. If you work on your inner strength you will be able, with the help of your friends, to overcome anything life throws at you. 26/9/2013 0 Comments Are you nice or are you kind?In our pursuit of personal growth and harmonious relationships, we often come across the words "nice" and "kind." At first glance, these terms may seem interchangeable, but upon closer examination, we discover a significant distinction between them. In this article, we will explore the profound difference between being nice and being kind, and how embracing kindness can transform our lives and the lives of those around us. Niceness: A Surface-Level Interaction Niceness is often associated with polite behaviour, superficial pleasantries, and a desire to avoid conflict at all costs. It involves being agreeable, compliant, and seeking approval from others. While niceness can create a pleasant atmosphere momentarily, it is a surface-level interaction that may lack authenticity and fail to address the deeper needs of individuals. Niceness can sometimes stem from fear—fear of rejection, judgment, or not meeting societal expectations. It can result in people-pleasing tendencies, where individuals compromise their own values and well-being to gain approval or avoid confrontation. While there is value in being polite and respectful, relying solely on niceness may prevent us from fostering genuine connections and making a meaningful impact. Kindness: A Compassionate Force for Change Kindness, on the other hand, emerges from a place of genuine care and empathy for others. It goes beyond superficial niceties and reaches into the depths of human connection. Kindness is an intentional act that seeks to alleviate suffering, bring joy, and support others in their journey. Unlike niceness, kindness is not conditional. It is not driven by the desire for recognition or reward but by a heartfelt desire to make a positive difference. Kindness requires active listening, understanding, and a willingness to step into someone else's shoes, even when it may be challenging. Benefits of Choosing Kindness Kindness fosters deeper, more meaningful connections with others. By genuinely caring and demonstrating empathy, we create an environment where people feel seen, heard, and valued. These authentic connections form the basis of strong relationships and a sense of community. Acts of kindness, both given and received, have a profound impact on our emotional well-being. Kindness releases endorphins, oxytocin, and serotonin—neurotransmitters associated with happiness, love, and overall well-being. It boosts our self-esteem, reduces stress, and enhances our overall mental health. Kindness is contagious. When we extend kindness to others, it inspires them to pay it forward, creating a ripple effect of positivity. Small acts of kindness can have far-reaching consequences, transforming communities and making the world a better place. Choosing kindness cultivates compassion, empathy, and gratitude within ourselves. It encourages us to step outside our comfort zones and consider the needs of others. By continually practicing kindness, we expand our own capacity for love, understanding, and personal growth. While being nice has its merits in certain situations, it is essential to recognize the inherent power of kindness. Kindness requires us to transcend superficial interactions and embrace genuine care and empathy for others. By choosing kindness, we create deeper connections, promote emotional well-being, initiate a ripple effect of positivity, and experience personal growth. Let us embrace the transformative potential of kindness and cultivate a world where compassion, understanding, and genuine acts of goodness are not only valued but celebrated. Together, we can make a difference, one act of kindness at a time. Alpha Chapter was pleased to crown Sarah as their "Miss Delta Kappa Nu" for 2013. Sarah is a founding member of Alpha Chapter and an integral part of this sisterhood. She has given her all in helping Delta Kappa Nu and the causes Alpha Chapter support. As the main spearhead behind the chapter's fundraising afternoon tea for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Sarah helped the chapter to raise a significant amount of money and coordinated excellent games and activites for the enjoyment of all the participants. Sarah exemplifies the values and spirit of Delta Kappa Nu, and we are sure she will continue her valuable contributions to the Alpha chapter. Outside of sorority life, Sarah is a school teacher who gives her time and effort to molding the minds of our future generations. 11/7/2013 0 Comments The Sorority Ideal"The sorority idea means close friendship fostered by long association in common interests. The sorority ideal is the symmetrically developed woman, the result of close confidence and lasting friendships with a few congenial spirits." – Ida Shaw Martin, The Sorority Handbook, 1909, p23
Why join a sorority? Especially a non-collegiate one. Why would you join an organisation which from what you've seen in the movies is primarily about drinking with frat guys and hazing pledges during your stay at a 4 year residential college? Doesn't that seem like a stupid thing to do? I can't answer for you, but for me, a sorority is more than just the social trappings that show up so well in American college movies. It's more than wearing letters on your chest, decorated picture frames and golden college days. A sorority is about sisterhood. It is about choosing the women to be a part of your family - not just good friends - but sisters who you can share your hopes and dreams with, who will support you in times of trouble and who will be honest with you when you're doing something stupid. And not just having sisters at college, but for the rest of your life. It's about trusting women in other parts of the world, who were chosen to be sorority sisters, to be your sisters. It's a life long commitment to the ideals and principles on which your sorority was founded. In short, joining a non-collegiate sorority is about making a commitment to other women - particularly outside of joining because your roommate was doing it too. - Elise Melican President, 2013 |
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We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung People of the Kulin Nation, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which our organisation was founded, and pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. We pay our respect to the traditional owners of the lands on which we meet all around the world.
Delta Kappa Nu Sorority, Inc. is welcoming to everyone who would like to be a sister, not just cis-ters.
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