October Opportunities: Authentic Needs

Little efforts to be more authentic can have a profound impact on our overall sense of wellbeing. On a personal level, being authentic has a lot to do with the stage in life a person is at and the needs of that stage. Whether someone is preparing for adulthood, building community and independence in midlife, or navigating how to live a new life at retirement age, the activities we spend time on each day have an impact on whether those needs are met or not.

The idea of authenticity seems to fall somewhere between working with cultural standards and the unique ideas of each individual, as they imagine their “self” to be. In one art lesson with Professor Kevin Kelly, a similar idea was presented pertaining to art composition.

In that class, it was the spectrum between novel and familiar ideas. The familiar, in anything presented, lends a sense of comfort because it is “known”. While the novel ideas spark curiosity, repulsion or mystery in the viewer.

Creating or observing these self-expressions leads us to more awareness about our own authentic views, biases and preferences. Through this awareness, we become more mindful of whether these things are harmful or helpful to ourselves and others and whether they fulfill some real need.

Here in our small community, there are many resources for people of all stages in life to connect to positive, helpful events that aim to provide resources to support participants in feeling confident to fulfill many basic human needs.

High school students have access to programs such as ‘Jobs for America’s Graduates’ or “JAG-K”. According to this nonprofit organization’s most recent pamphlet, they offer “an evidence-based program that… help(s) students overcome barriers, graduate from high school and prepare for college or career pathways.”

Through classes and life experiences, students develop character and resiliency beyond their childhood identities to be a more authentic version of themselves in the larger community as adults.

Valerie Haring, dean of Arts, Digital Media and Communications (ADMC) wrote, “I think the students at BCC said it best when crafting the official BCC student pledge,” when asked about what adults have available at the next phase in life:

Butler Pledge

I am a Grizzly.

I belong to a proud and strong family that strives for determination and integrity.

I instill respect and empowerment in myself and others.

I prioritize love, togetherness and an inclusive atmosphere

within my diverse community.

I am a Grizzly.

I am the future.

The atmosphere at Butler Community College is infused with this sentiment, so from the most primary required classes to the plethora of self-expressive ones, the standard is the same empowering ideal. Classes start regularly that allow people of all ages to focus on what is important or curious in life, even if they are not seeking a degree. There are also regular rotations at the art gallery (M-F 10 am to 4 pm) and theaters on campus that are open to the public, hosting diverse artistry, subjects and styles at little or no cost.

Those at retirement age have support at the college and with local community events like bingo and dancing at the Senior Center on Friday, Oct. 17. Families First Insurance Group is having a free pizza party at Frawg’s Bar and Grill (The Lanes- El Dorado) on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 5:30 pm. Their local team will share this year’s updates on regulations, gain clarity on policy choices and help seniors avoid penalties or gaps in coverage. (Reserve your spot or ask questions at 316-323-0181)

Beyond this short list, there is a lot of other support here in this community for people taking steps towards feeling safe, authentic, and mindful of who they are and the needs they have at this particular stage in life.

Discover more for yourself at:

www.jagkansas.org

www.butlercc.edu

www.eldoks.gov

Translation in Mandarin

每天努力一点点去变得更真实，就能对我们的整体幸福感产生深远的影响。在个人层面上，真诚待人与人生阶段和需求有很大关系。无论一个人是未成年人，中年还是退休年龄，我们每天的活动都会影响到这些需求是否得到满足。

真实性的概念似乎介于文化标准和每个人的独特想法之间，因为他们想象他们的“自我”是什么。在凯文·凯利教授的一堂美术课上，他提出了一个与艺术构图有关的类似想法。

在那门课上，它是新奇和熟悉的概念之间的范围。在任何呈现出来的事物中，熟悉的东西都会给人一种舒适感，因为它是“已知的”。而新奇的想法激起了观众的好奇、排斥或神秘。

创造或观察这些自我表达会让我们更加意识到自己真实的观点、偏见和偏好。通过这种意识，我们变得更加注意这些东西对自己和他人是有害还是有益，以及它们是否满足了一些真正的需求。

在我们这个小社区里，有很多资源可以让处于人生各个阶段的人们联系到积极的、有益的事件，这些事件旨在为参与者提供资源，让他们有信心满足许多基本的人类需求。

高中生可以参加诸如“美国毕业生就业”之类的项目。根据这个非营利组织最近的小册子，他们提供“一个基于证据的项目……帮助学生克服障碍，从高中毕业，为大学或职业道路做准备。”

通过课堂和生活经历，学生们发展了超越童年身份的性格和弹性，成为成年人在更大的社区中更真实的自己。

瓦莱丽·哈林，艺术、数字媒体和传播学院院长（ADMC）写道：“我认为Butler的学生在起草官方学生承诺时说得最好。”当被问及成年人在人生的下一个阶段可以得到什么时：

Butler的承诺

我是灰熊。

我属于一个骄傲和强大的家庭，努力争取决心 和 诚信。

我向自己和他人灌输尊重和授权。

我优先考虑爱、团结和包容的氛围

在我多元化的社区里。

我是灰熊。

我就是未来。

巴特勒社区学院的氛围充满了这种情绪，所以从最基本的必修课到过多的自我表达课程，标准都是同样的赋权理想。课程定期开始，让所有年龄段的人都能专注于生活中重要或好奇的事情，即使他们不寻求学位。艺术画廊（上午10点至下午4点）和校园剧院也定期轮换，向公众开放，以很少或免费的方式举办各种艺术，主题和风格。

那些到了退休年龄的人可以在大学里得到支持，也可以参加当地的社区活动，比如10月17日星期五在老年中心举行的宾果游戏和跳舞。家庭第一保险集团将于10月22日星期三下午5点30分在fraw 's Bar and Grill （The Lanes- El Dorado）举办免费披萨派对。他们的当地团队将分享今年的最新法规，明确政策选择，并帮助老年人避免处罚或保险范围的空白。（预约座位或咨询电话：316-323-0181）

除了这张简短的清单，在这个社区里还有很多其他的支持，让人们在这个特定的人生阶段感到安全、真实、意识到自己是谁以及自己的需求。