Emily Selby

Keeping Our Words Beautiful

Speak with kindness, share love, and remember to keep your words beautiful.

What does it mean to keep our words beautiful? Is it just a pretty saying to write out and never talk about? It it just something we say so that it seems like we care? No. It is so much more than that. Words are so extremely important and they do in fact affect us deeply. Words are a direct reflection of what is on our heart. There are two parts to this conversation: what our words say about us as individuals and how our words affect others. I will be breaking these discussions down below.

WHAT DO OUR WORDS SAY ABOUT US AS INDIVIDUALS?

Words are more important than most people might think. Words make up our languages and our thought processes. Words are how we communicate to others, how we speak up for ourselves, and how we share what’s on our mind. When we lash out and say things that are not kind, it affects us inside more than we know. Have you heard the saying “hurt people hurt people?”

That is so true. When something upsets us and our first response is to get angry and attack somebody else, our words convey that that is how we are feeling on the inside. Our words can either help or hinder our attitudes. Depending on which choice you choose, that is how you will be affected.

When we get defensive and attack other people, our insecurities are showing. When we respond with kindness and love, our confidence is showing. Which one will you choose to show?

Defensiveness is an interesting and complex facet of this discussion, partly because we all get defensive when we feel attacked or threatened. When we lash out with our insecurities, it is quite obvious and makes it very clear to the people around you what is going on. When we express kindness, it makes us appear confident in who we are. Our words have a profound effect on us and how we come across to other people.

Below are some ways to see what our words say about us and how they can affect us.

Words define our thoughts.
Words define what we feel on the inside.
Words can make us look like the bigger person, or the smaller person.
Words can convey specific messages.
Words can affect how we feel after we say them.

HOW DO OUR WORDS AFFECT OTHERS?

This seems to be quite obvious. Hurtful words not only affect ourselves, but also the people that we say them to. Watch your words and make sure that you aren’t reacting out of anger, because that off-handed statement that you made when you were upset can stick with someone for a lifetime. I know this all too well. I’ve done it before and I’ve had it done to me. It doesn’t feel good, from either party.

Instead of just blaming the other person, use it as a time to reflect on yourself as well and how you can do better in your own statements that were unkind. After all, we don’t have to answer for other people’s words. Only our own.

IN CONCLUSION…

I truly hope this post helped you if you find yourself struggling with wanting to lash out when someone has hurt you, or if you have lashed out and hurt people with words as well. Our words are so important and it is necessary to pay attention to them. Speak with kindness, share love, and remember to keep your words beautiful.

What to Know About the Covid-19 Vaccine

SAU’s Dr. Buratovich gives some facts and important details concerning the Covid-19 vaccine.

The Covid-19 vaccine has been sought after for quite sometime. After the whirlwind of 2020, it is safe to say that the vaccines are coming out swiftly. The pandemic swept over our nation quickly and the outcomes were vast and devastating. In an interview with Dr. Michael Buratovich, a Professor of Biology here at SAU, some new information has came into light that will be interesting to us all in these confusing times.

One of the main questions that has been circling around is if the vaccine is safe to get. Dr. Buratovich believes it is extremely safe.

According to published data, there was a study conducted in 2020 where 18,260 people were given the actual vaccine and 18,846 were given a physiological saline. Out of those numbers, there were 8 Covid-19 cases from the vaccinated numbers and 162 Covid-19 cases from the saline numbers. Out of the 8 people that were vaccinated and got Covid-19, none of them had died or suffered any severe illness.

It is important to note that the leading professional medical agencies and organizations are looking at these vaccines and agreeing that they are safe and effective. Buratovich explained that out of the 45 million doses of the vaccine so far, the side effect profile has not been found to be any higher than other vaccines.

Should everyone get this vaccine if they are able to? Dr. Buratovich said yes. The higher the percentage of people that are vaccinated, the greater the barrier will be.

Dr. Buratovich also brought up the point about loving our neighbors and keeping them from harm. “The loving thing to do is just get vaccinated, it’s a tangible way to love your neighbor,” said Buratovich.

Dr. Buratovich explains that vaccines have driven many diseases into extinction, which is comforting to know and understand when making the decision to get the Covid-19 vaccine or not. For example, chicken pox is starting to be pushed to extinction along with shingles. This couldn’t have been accomplished without the help of a trusted vaccine.

Some final thoughts that Buratovich wanted to touch on were the myths surrounding the vaccine. The harm to fertility and other similar claims are myths being spread and have no actual data to support them. Another myth was that the vaccine could cause you to die. Buratovich explains that none of the cases of death after the vaccine were linked to the shot itself.

Dr. Buratovich encourages you to do your own research concerning these common misconceptions. The more you know, the better educated you will be concerning this important topic.

By: Emily Selby

God’s Power is not Limited to our Human Understanding

What does it mean when we go through worldly dilemmas and struggles and nothing seems to change?

What does it mean when we go through worldly dilemmas and struggles and nothing seems to change? Does God just not care? Should we just give up and never pray again? Why do we even bother pouring our heart out when that thing that we prayed so desperately for doesn’t seem to change?

The answer to this is complex and can be hard to take in during the moments of our pain. “But God’s way is best!” “Just pray and trust Him!” “Everything will all work out!” Have you heard these before? Maybe you’re going through a hard time and someone so kindly says one of these things.

While they are certainly true, they can be hard to grasp while we’re in the midst of our terrible heartache. Yes, we know God’s way is best, but I’m really hurting right now. You know what, God’s plan can HURT. His way of doing things can certainly be painful and full of consequences that we don’t always understand.

Do you know what holds true? Do you know what really helps me when I’m going through struggles where I feel like things can’t possible work out for the best? Knowing that God’s power is not limited to our human understanding.

“God’s power is not limited to our human understanding.”

We might not understand why things happen the way they do. But God sees us, hears us, and sympathizes with our pain. Our struggles do not go unnoticed.

It can be so difficult to understand why certain things happen in our life, but it is truly important to recognize that God knows what He is doing. It may be hard to practice that perspective while we are going through a trial, but it is definitely one worth analyzing.

So, what do we do when God tells us no? Trust. Even when it’s hard and we don’t want to. Trust His plan. Know that He has ways of working things out better then we could ever imagine. His timing is better than ours and His ways are better than our ways.

Take comfort in the fact that He made this world and He knows everything that is going to happen within it. Nothing will shock Him. Nothing will confuse Him. Nothing will ever throw Him off guard. Give your anxieties to Him and rest in the fact that we don’t need to stress and worry because God promises to never leave us.

We’re not going to always understand. We’re going to have doubts and think it’s the end of the world. But that’s just it, those are just our thoughts. Our human capacity for understanding doesn’t even come close to the power of God. Trust in Him and remember that He knows what He is doing.

By: Emily Selby

Why You Should Join the Pulse: A Staff Perspective by Merry Castle

Read some reasons why you should join our Pulse staff.

Why should you join the Pulse?

I recommend joining the Pulse because it is an excellent opportunity to hone your writing skills, make new friends, and meet new people. Writing for the Pulse has also allowed me to become more involved on campus — I attend more events, speak to more people, and am generally more attentive to what is going on around campus. Plus, joining the Pulse is a great way to gain experience that can spruce up your resume and help you land a job in the future.

How has the Pulse helped you to use your voice?

The Pulse has been a great opportunity for me to use my voice. As a freshman, I used to feel like my voice didn’t really matter or that I didn’t have anything worthwhile to say. Joining the Pulse has made me realize that my voice does matter and that I can use it to elevate and share others’ stories.

Feeling heard is so important. How does working on the Pulse make you feel heard?

Feeling heard is incredibly important, and the Pulse definitely gives me an opportunity to discuss the topics I find important and relevant. More importantly, I feel that the Pulse helps me allow other’s voices to be heard. I get to share people’s personal stories, their passions, their convictions, and their hopes and dreams. I get the genuine pleasure of being a mouthpiece so that other people’s voices and stories can be heard.

What opportunities has the Pulse given you that you might not have had otherwise?

The Pulse has given me amazing opportunities that I might not have had otherwise. I am an English major with a professional writing minor, so I tend to be an introverted bookworm. Since joining the Pulse, I have gained confidence in my writing abilities and stepped outside of my comfort zone to interview my fellow students as well as professors and staff. Additionally, it has helped me build my writing portfolio, publish my work, make connections, and learn more about journalism as a profession. I am learning to simplify my writing, edit my work and the work of others, communicate in a professional setting, and work on a deadline. Overall, the Pulse has helped to gain real experience that will prepare me for the future regardless of what career I choose.

By: Merry Castle

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Meet the Writers of The Pulse: Sarah Williams

Meet Sarah Williams, a staff writer of The Pulse and lover of succulents.

Sarah Williams

My name is Sarah Williams and I am majoring in English and minoring in Philosophy. I enjoy writing and hope to make a career out of it. I am considering going into journalism! I decided to minor in philosophy after taking a required class and finding the subject enthralling.

I choose Spring Arbor University because the campus was small and safe. I enjoy how the campus is a community and everyone is friendly. My favorite thing about SAU is the writing classes I’ve taken.

Something fun about myself is that I like to grow succulents and cacti. I have a collection of the plants and I am always looking for more. The plants have so many interesting shapes, colors, sizes, and personalities!

What We Learned From The Pulse: A Staff Perspective

Read what The Pulse staff has to say about working for SAU’s student newspaper.

Emily Selby

I started writing for The Pulse because I love to write and I was looking to be a part of some groups that shared the same passions as I do. I have gained a lot from this experience and I am truly thankful to have had the opportunity to join. I got to work with some amazing people this semester and even work as an editor, which was truly incredible. I got to broaden my experiences and take a few steps out of my comfort zone, so I am thankful for that. My favorite part about The Pulse is getting to learn about new topics and the opportunity to share my voice with others. I believe that we will only make a difference if we speak up, so I am thrilled to be using this platform to do so.

Leslee DeRossett

I started writing for The Pulse as a required assignment for my Multi-media and News Reporting course at SAU. Being a commuter, I was not aware of all the different groups and activities that are offered around campus, so it has been really neat to be apart of those and get a better look into the community life outside of my on campus courses. I enjoyed the people that I have met while writing for The Pulse. I like that I had the freedom to chose topics that interest me to write on. I really hope that others join The Pulse because we sure could use more voices and opinions!

Sarah Williams

I started writing for The Pulse to learn about journalism. The Pulse has taught me how to become a better interviewer, editor, and writer. I really enjoy spending time with fellow members and meeting new people. My favorite part is turning information into an entertaining story. I recommend the Pulse to anyone who enjoys writing!

Elizabeth Pruitt

I joined The Pulse as part of my Multi-Media Reporting class. I had been wanting to write for The Pulse for a few years but always found an excuse not to do it. I’m so glad I finally joined and regret not joining sooner. This has been a really rewarding experience, as I’ve seen growth in myself as a news writer. I’ve even found myself applying to be a reporter when I graduate next week. My favorite part about writing for The Pulse has been learning about things happening on campus and getting to have fun and engaging interviews with a wide variety of people.

Merry Castle

I started writing for The Pulse because I wanted to apply the skills I learned in my News Reporting and Media Writing classes. Writing for The Pulse has allowed me to grow more confident in my abilities as a writer. Additionally, this has been a fantastic opportunity for me to gain valuable experience and develop marketable skills. My favorite part about writing for The Pulse is having the opportunity to reach out to people, form connections, and tell their stories. Every article I write is an opportunity for me to help someone feel like their voice is being heard.

Cross-Cultural 2022 Trip Information

Here is a brief overview of the information that you will need to know in order to be properly aware of what is going on regarding these 2022 trips.

Emily Selby

Now is the time to start planning what trip you are going to be taking for your cross-cultural experience while you’re at SAU! Unfortunately, the 2021 trips had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, but it’s never too soon to start planning ahead for 2022. For those that were planning on a 2021 trip and need to figure out what to do to fulfill that requirement, Diane Kurtz should be reaching out to you. You can always email her at dkurtz@arbor.edu for more information.

Here is just a brief overview of the information that you will need to know in order to be properly aware of what is going on regarding these 2022 trips.

A lot of information can be found in the Cross-Cultural Studies magazine that went out in the SAU mailboxes. If you haven’t received it, check your mailbox! There is also an online version of the magazine as well for easy access for commuters.

What Can I Do Now?

There are several important dates that you need to be aware of in regard to picking your trip and learning about the different destinations that are available to you. Listed below are some of the dates to be aware of and they are coming up very soon!

Important Dates:

CCS Virtual Market Day – A Zoom link will be sent to your email.

This will be an open-house style Zoom event held with the different professors that will give specific information about their current country destination.

Friday, February 5, 2021

10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Form Frenzy by Appointment – 3 week program reservations.

After you enrollment packet is filled out, call 517-750-6415 as early as January 6^th, 2021 to schedule an appointment. You are able to call any time between Monday – Friday from 8:30am – 4:00pm.

Each grade gets a specific time slot for appointments. Below are the scheduled times for your Form Frenzy meetings.

Note: Semester abroad students do not sign up at Form Frenzy. See the CCS office or visit the Cross-Cultural website for more information.

Seniors: February 11-12

Juniors: February 16-18

Sophomores: February 22-25

All Students: Any day after March 9^th

The tradition of Cross-Cultural trips was started in 1986 and is something that will be helpful in making your education more well-rounded. The focus of these trips will be to understand and learn about the Five Social Institutes, which consist of Government, Economics, Religion, Family Life, and Education. These trips are meant to aid in your understanding of the world around you, which is a very important aspect that SAU strives to implement.

SAU Cross-Cultural Website:

A helpful tool to use regarding all of the information is the SAU Cross Cultural Website found here. This is where you will find information that will be helpful to you while you are choosing your trip and figuring out how to navigate the entire process.

“The best advice to prepare for signing up for 2022 CCS programs is to be sure you have completed all of your childhood immunizations and have those submitted to Holton Health and Wellness for verification, make sure your tuition account is in good standing, attend Market Day and think about 2 or 3 choices of programs that you think would be best for your major or interests. Then complete your forms to get ready for Form Frenzy by appointment.”
Diane Kurtz

*A lot of this information was taken from the cross-cultural magazine that went into the student mailboxes. Since it is being repeated, make sure you are aware of those dates. You do not want to miss them!*

Zoom Takes the Campus by Storm

Students, teachers, and faculty alike have had many technological advances thrown their way, some without much of a warning.

By: Emily Selby

COVID-19 has changed the way we do everything. Students, teachers, and faculty alike have had many technological advances thrown their way, some without much of a warning. I asked both professors and students what they think the biggest struggles are with the added technology adjustments and this is what they said:

• Can’t ask questions
• Bad internet connections
• Not personalized
• General technology reliability
• Added time
• Lack of communication

Students are not able to get as much one on one time with their professors. There is also a lack of bonding between students and professors because it can be rather difficult when Zoom is so impersonal. Communication skills are lacking, the overall attitude surrounding the virus is making things difficult, and professors are having to take away time from their class to get everything working properly. Internet is not always the most dependable, so students have to miss class at times if their connection won’t work. Both professors and students are having to learn new programs which can add on to the already existent anxiety that a lot of people are feeling.

On a brighter note, the increase in the use of Zoom and other technology has given everyone the opportunity to learn a new set of skills that they may not have had to otherwise. While many people had used Zoom before the hit of COVID-19, many had not used it to this extent. Professors and students are having to learn how to navigate through a plethora of new changes and advancements. However, staying safe is the number one priority for everyone right now. If increased Zoom sessions are helping with that, then that is what is going to happen.

How will Spring Arbor University continue to advance and combat these struggles? Only time and experience will tell.

Adjunct professor Kayla Knapp is adjusting to ZOOM instruction.

Meet the Writers of The Pulse: Elizabeth Pruitt

Meet Elizabeth Pruitt, a writer and copy editor for The Pulse.

Elizabeth Pruitt

My name is Elizabeth Pruitt and my major is Communications.
I chose Spring Arbor University (SAU) because it was close to home and I enjoyed the small campus size.

My favorite thing about it is the people I’ve met, both friends and faculty. I’ve truly found the people I want to do life with and it’s all thanks to SAU. I had a really difficult Junior year and the faculty at SAU were so kind and understanding. They gave me some great encouragement to make it through the issues I was facing in my personal life.

A fun fact about me is that I run a vintage and early 2000’s clothing Depop shop!