What Sisterhood Means to Me - Samantha Kluener

I am humbled, for the privilege to be a part of this sisterhood filled with beautiful ladies who strive to be their best selves each and every day and live for not just themselves but something greater.
I didn’t join this sisterhood because I was partially persuaded to by my twin, Brittany, or that my favorite color was already purple and that would be just perfect. **hair flip** Nor did I ever grow up wanting to or even thinking about joining a sorority.  But after being so involved in high school I knew I wanted to find something on campus that I could get involved in and kind of find myself in. After some convincing from a good friend and getting along with the other girls interested in founding Delta Phi Epsilon I thought that it would be a good experience... and not going to lie, I thought it would look pretty dang awesome on a resume.  But let me tell you, this experience has been nothing like I expected, but everything I was looking for.
 As a founder, I have seen our chapter from the very beginning, in the spring of 2012 to now in the spring of 2015, I have seen us struggle then succeed, grow and flourish as a whole.
Sisterhood is not something you can hold in your hand, something physical or materialist. It’s not about the cute letters or the fluffy unicorns. You could throw all of the away and nothing would change.. Or it shouldn't. Sisterhood is this bond that is almost indescribable. Sisterhood is being able to rely on a sister for anything, support, encouragement, guidance, a rock to lean on, someone to give you that reality check that you so desperately need and someone to hold you when you cry. To unconditionally love your sister, no matter if she makes a stupid mistake, you stand by her. Not saying I told you so but wiping away her tears and letting her know that everything works out for a reason or dancing around like a fool with her even when you don’t feel like it. A sister is one who reaches for you hand and touches your heart.
It’s the days we sit around and do nothing; it’s the moments we laugh so hard we cry. It’s the way we look at each other and know exactly what is going through our heads. It’s the silly pictures and inside jokes. They are the reason we are inseparable. They are the reason we are more than a sorority. We are a sisterhood.
I cannot fathom what my college career would have been like without having my sisters by my side on this crazy adventure we call life.
I found this quote that I not only think depicts what the sorority as a whole has done for me but what the sisterhood has done for me.
“Staring at her letters she thought, what a blessed privilege it was not only to be a college graduate, but to have taken the ride in a vehicle such as this. To have had experiences that gave her confidence, took away her insecurities, and bolstered her self-esteem. To be given the chance to lead. To follow. To work alongside so many other wonderful people. To be something more.”
Remember- It is a privilege to be a part of this organization. Don’t take it for granted or take it lightly. You have a legacy to uphold.
Treasure this sisterhood, you won’t regret it.
YITS-
Samantha M. Kluener
Graduating Senior
Coordinator of Sunshine"

Eating Disorders Awareness - Brianna Brothag

When I decided I wanted to write a blog post, I immediately thought that I should make a gif set and attract readers through humor and awesome gifs of Supernatural and Harry Potter. Once I sat down and began writing, something else came to mind. This month is Eating Disorders Awareness Month. I would like to share with you a few of the things I have learned throughout this month and the reason I am now more confident than I ever thought I could be. And yes; I am going to use gifs. :)

1.)  “You are beautiful” is the most over used sentence… probably ever.

 2.) Everyone is insecure about something… But usually it is the same thing that everyone is insecure about.

3.) No matter how nice a girl looks, if her hair is pulled back, she does NOT want her picture taken.

4.) I have yet to meet an unattractive person.

5.) Eating disorders are much more common than I ever imagined.

6.) There is a stigma for men to live up to, and it can take a toll on their self-confidence as well.

7.) People are self-conscience about having self-confidence.

 8.) It is almost worst to be overly confident than it is to have no confidence.

9.) Most people are against the idea that models are so thin and they are the ideal beauty and they would tell others not to strive to uphold that ideal, and yet, they try to uphold the ideal themselves.

10.) Lastly, and most importantly, no matter what your situation is, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

When I began this month, I thought that my self-confidence level was at a 4 at most. As the month progressed I realized how wrong I was. I am confident in my strengths. I know I have weakness, but I am not afraid to show them and share them. I know I am not perfect, but I also know that is okay and I realized all of this through listening to the stories of those around. The more stories I heard and the more insecurity I heard, the more I felt stupid for all of mine. I heard countless people tell me they felt fat and countless times I felt if they were fat, then I must be cow. Then one time it clicked. They aren’t fat and neither am I. We all see ourselves as harshly as possible but the reality is the only person who looks at all of your weakness, is you. So stop that and be who you want.

I did.