SPRING 2019
VISTA MAGAZINE
ISSUE V
Countercultural Jesus
The Lamp Lady of Caroline Hall
If Jesus worked to expose oppressive systems and institutions, shouldn’t we do the same?
Discover who lurks the halls of Caroline Hall in this historical fiction short.
Put a Little Hope in Politcal Justice
Spring Cleaning Your Life
Political justice always disappoints, but don’t lose hope.
Learn Marie Kondo’s rules and spring clean your life!
MEET THE
VISTA TEAM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
•••••••••••••••••••••
Stephen Nielsen
SENIOR EDITOR - ONLINE • • • • • • • • • • Ariana Diaz SENIOR EDITOR - PRINT
••••••••••••
Kaylyn Sweitzer
DIGITAL CONTENT DIRECTOR • • • • • Ethan Oliver DESIGNER • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Caroline Patterson COMMENTARY EDITOR • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Jacob Whitfield ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR • • • • • • • • • • • Emmanuel Carillo RELIGION & FAITH EDITOR SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING MANAGER BUSINESS MANAGER
••••••••••••••
•••••••••••••••••
THIS ISSUE’S CONTRIBUTORS:
cover photos by Ethan Oliver
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Abby Imperial
J.D. Tuell
Lydia Vander Stelt
Brandon Davis
Belinda Banh
Haley Hack
Jesse Johnson
Rebekah Law
Mara Franzen
Elayna Swickard
Justin Polsley
Nicole Anderson
Nancy Gorman
Hannah Thomas
Ariana Diaz Kajsa Johnsrud Anosh Wasker
LETTER
FROM THE EDITORS Dear Reader, Thanks for picking up a copy of our second issue of the academic year! We are excited to share this collection of articles and poems with you, written by your peers. Just as usual, these featured pieces are exclusive to this issue, meaning you won’t find them published in our online sections. This semester, our hope for the print magazine is to provide a platform for North Park’s original student voices. We are striving to find new contributors to share what they are already thinking about by encouraging them to put their thoughts into words. Throughout this issue and the next, we will be considering what it means to have a unique voice and story. In this issue in particular, you will be able to experience some of your peers’ testimonies and what impact God has had on their lives. You will also be able to read a number of poems that our writers were able to produce, despite the cold, dark, snowy winter we had. Curious about gyros? We have a piece on that. Wanting to know more about the AntiVaxxing movement? We have that, too. There’s something for everyone! Additionally, Vista Magazine makes sure to dedicate adequate time and effort to online publishing. As each of the pieces are unique to the online audience, the online part of our magazine can and still continues to be an outlet for students’ voices and opinions. While the physical copy of our magazine is something tangible that can be brought with you anywhere, we hope and pray that our online portion of the magazine can be accessed anywhere in the world, at any time. Additionally, the online pieces are current and helpful with our ever-changing society and culture. The stories and pieces you and your peers write are important. Thank you to all the contributors who have shared their opinions, views, art, and creative writing this quad. To read more from our writers and editors, or to submit your own work for publication, visit us online at www.vistamag.org. Happy reading,
Kaylyn Sweitzer Senior Editor for Print
Ariana Diaz Senior Editor for Online
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
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VISTA MAGAZINE
SPRING 2019 ISSUE
GETTING FIT TOGETHER
WHYTHE GOD GAVE MEOF LAMP LADY BROWN EYES CAROLINE HALL
ANTI-VAXXING
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COUNTERCULTURAL JESUS
If Jesus worked to expose oppressive systems and institutions, shouldn’t we do the same?
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PLUGGING INTO PODCASTS
Revitalize your podcast lineup with some of Belinda Banh’s favorites.
ENGLISH BREAKFAST TEA A POEM
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WHERE TO START
If the campus dialogue on the question of biblically affirmed same-sex relations left you underwhelmed, find some next steps in this piece.
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ENNEAGRAM TYPE 4: THE ROMANTIC
It is nothing short of difficult to navigate life as a type four on the Enneagram.
25 EXCERPTS FROM A SERIES OF THE BROKEN HEARTED
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VISTA MAGAZINE
CONTENTS
SNOW-CAPPED A POEM
SPRING CLEANING YOUR LIFE
WINFIELD
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A POEM
VISTA 2019
SPRING 2019 ISSUE
FINDING RESTORATION IN CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYP0-PLASIA
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J.D. learned through his disease that taking the risk prayerfully is better than living a life of regrets.
13 WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR? By God’s strength, He asks us to love our neighbor, which includes even our greatest enemies.
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PUT A LITTLE HOPE IN POLITICAL JUSTICE
Political justice always disappoints, but don’t lose hope.
THE POWER OF ARTMAKING 15 AND HE ANSWERED ME
22 ON THE GYRO
Listless thoughts of a reasonable mind: “Does God really hear me?”
The only thing more exciting than the journey to a gyro is eating one.
RELIGION & FAITH
VISTA MAGAZINE
SPRING 2019 ISSUE
COUNTERLARUTLUC JESUS by Lydia Vander Stelt The Jesus you know shows in who and what you prioritize. I have found this to be true in many instances over the past year. When it comes to church attendance, there has been much debate on why numbers for both the Millennial and Gen Z population are substantially lower compared to previous generations. I would argue that younger generations are leaving the church because many historically-white Protestant churches and Christian institutions aren’t preaching the gospel of Jesus that constantly interacts with the marginalized. Rather, they interact with the gospel of Jesus that rewards outstanding merit and good morals. When we truly look at the work Jesus did according to the gospel, we see God becoming human to live and walk here on Earth, demarginalizing societal outcasts and decentralizing oppressive religious and political superiors. Much of Jesus’ work also exposed the misuse of power in systems that were institutionalized, including the system of capital punishment -- or the death penalty. In doing some background research on current opinions on the death penalty, I came across a study done by PEW Research titled “5 Facts about the Death Penalty.” I found that despite the decrease in the number of capital executions since 1999, 73% of white evangelical Protestants and 61% of white mainline Protestants still favor the death penalty (2018). Why is it that a majority of Protestants still favor the death penalty (2018). Why is it that a majority of white
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believers who know that Christ paid the ultimate price on the cross think that the execution of persons convicted for murder is still justifiable? In looking at the Old Testament, one can find a great deal of “life for a life” scriptural justifications (Exodus 21:12, Leviticus 24:17, Numbers 35:30-31). In fact, the Old Testament is filled with violence ranging from sickness to wars to mass killings. There is a shift in the New Testament when prophecies, regarding a Savior coming to Earth, were fulfilled, and the body of believers began to understand how God intends our walk on Earth to be. Early Christians were quite familiar with violence, particularly death, because the Roman government routinely used execution as a punishment. Christ, and followers of Christ, took an active approach to stand against death as a punishment (2 Timothy 2:10). This act of advocating can be seen even in the lives of the disciples; some even witnessed the crucifixion of Christ and were executed themselves by stoning, beheading, or crucifixion. I recently finished a highly-recommended book entitled Executing Grace by Christian activist and author Shane Claiborne (2016). In talking about the death penalty from a gospel perspective, Claiborne writes, “Jesus became a victim of violence to expose the system of violence. He revealed the evil we are capable of. He did this -- and
SPRING 2019 ISSUE
VISTA MAGAZINE
this is clutch -- not to glorify death but to overcome it.” If we were to only focus on the Old Testament, we would solely see the systems of violence and the “evils we are capable of.” There would be no ultimate redemption, and death would not have been overcome but, in turn, would be our only option. If our perspective of Jesus and the work he did here on Earth leads us to still support the death penalty, we must reconsider the very actions of Jesus and how it affects the ways we live our lives. I hold a position of privilege as a white, able-bodied, cisgendered, educated, middle-class student. Regardless of how hard I have worked, the systems and institutions in the United States of America have been set up to almost guarantee that I have very little barriers to my success. Who an individual is to the world -- their background,
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Why is it that a majority of white believers who know that Christ paid the ultimate price on the cross think that the execution of persons convicted for murder is still justifiable?
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RELIGION & FAITH
I encourage us all to begin evaluating how we see the work of Jesus manifest in the current climate according to the gospel. Founder and Director of Equal Justice Initiative, Bryan Stevenson, writes in his (also highly-recommended) book Just Mercy that, “Each of us is more than the worst thing we have ever done” (2014). This is true because of Christ! Jesus was publicly executed through crucifixion to wipe away all of our worst sins. This means that I should approach any relationship -- whether it is with classmates at Stateville Correctional Center or at North Park -- with the same grace and love that I would want regardless of my worst mistake. This means that no one else should have to pay the ultimate consequence of death because it has already been overcome. This means we are to call out the truth in grace and love every time our surroundings glorify death to convince us that it is a just consequence. We should not walk over the countless untold stories of violence towards black, brown, and indigenous bodies where death manifests as lynchings, police brutality, biased sentencing, disparate access to health care and housing access, and more. We are to expose systems that oppress anyone in the family of Christ because that is exactly what Jesus did. What would it look like if we -- North Park students, faculty, staff, and administration -- were to live out Jesus’ charge in a demarginalizing, decentralizing way? Would the places we sit at ARA look different? Would chapel demographics change? Would different voices be called upon in classrooms? Would we prioritize different items on our agenda? Would we truly reflect the diverse community North Park so quickly advertises? Could we finally work together to expose these systems and dismantle them, knowing we are serving a countercultural Jesus?
ethnicity, gender, sexual identity, class, and more -- makes a difference in their lived experiences in society. Because my life is affirmed and benefits off of these racially and gender-biased institutions, I am continuing to learn to keep my privilege in check and work to dismantle it in all discussions and environments. When I do not keep my privilege in check within the context of Christianity and faith, I quickly become misinformed about the very work of Jesus and who it affected most. This is not just dangerous but deadly. People’s lives are at risk of not being recognized and affirmed when I do not comprehensively understand how I am called to live here on this Earth mirroring the life of Christ. Jesus interacted with women such as Mary and Martha in a dignified, countercultural way that exposed the established system of patriarchy. Jesus met with religious outcasts, such as the Samaritan woman, in an inclusive, countercultural way that exposed the perpetual system of religious hierarchy. Jesus ate with political oppressors, such as Zaccheaus, in an accepting, countercultural way that challenged the preconceived notions of the Roman government.
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ARTS & CULTURE
SPRING 2019 ISSUE
VISTA MAGAZINE
PLUGGING into
PODCASTS by Belinda Banh If I Were You (Headgum) This is the only comedy advice podcast show out there! Formerly known as the dynamic duo from College Humor, hosts Jake Hurwitz and Amir Blumenfeld answer listeners’ questions every Monday in an hour-long episode. Insane names are used to preserve the listeners’ anonymity, as songs submitted by listeners are used to introduce and end each episode. You can get a spoof of “Go the Distance” from Disney’s Hercules one day and be surprised with a wild rendition of “Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance the next – either way, you will not be disappointed. Advice can go anywhere from how to politely tell a guy his breath smells like shit to how to gently confront your roommate who is having sex too loudly next door. Different segments include “Unsolicited Advice,” “Speed Round,” and “the Gameboy.” By the end of an episode, you will have caught on to a handful of inside jokes only mutual listeners would understand.
Radiolab (WNYC Studios) Probably the most interesting and awesome podcast to have ever existed: This podcast hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Kulwich investigates specifics you’ve always wondered about...or didn’t know you wondered about? Through sounds and stories, skepticism and heavy research is thrown onto one big idea. One episode called “Unraveling Bolero” opens with a story of a biologist obsessively painting bright strawberries over and over again. This obsession soon blossomed into her listening to a composition by Ravel called “Bolero,” a repetitive piece of music. Throughout the episode, you will find out how their obsession and creativity would be the beginning of a deadly disease. Another episode called “Fronads” discusses the first ovary transplant...which was in a woman’s arm?! Be prepared to be mind-blown with recordings, interviews, and all things that have never crossed your mind before. Meticulous research goes into each episode, usually released on Wednesdays and Fridays. After listening to this podcast, you will be that friend who is always full of fun facts.
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ARTS & CULTURE
Podcasts...sounds like an anticipated hobby to pick up when you’re 40 and married with a family, right? Not true! I didn’t think I would ever get into podcasts since you’re literally just listening to people talk (and we already have friends for that, don’t we?), but I’ve found that it’s a great way to learn something new and to keep your mind engaged while you are multitasking! Whether you’re on a road trip or you’ve run out of songs to jam to, podcasts will hit the spot! To get you started, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite podcasts. Once you find one that you find interesting, it will be hard to stop listening!
TED Radio Hour (NPR) We’ve all been there...catching ourselves 12 YouTube videos deep into Ted Talks. With this podcast, you can now indulge in all the Ted Talks we know you’ve always dreamt of. Hosted by Guy Raz, this podcast explores all that makes us human through narratives told from around the country. Each hour-long episode focuses on one topic and will leave you with both new information and new questions every Friday. An episode called “Anthropocene” explains the impact we humans have on Earth and what that means for our planet and our species. Other episodes include “Why We Hate,” “The Act of Listening,” “Comfort Zone,” and “Everything is Connected” just to name a few. Whether you are seeking to better understand yourself in the world or the world within yourself, you are sure to find an episode in this podcast that will quench your curiosity.
The Moth Grab your favorite blanket and gather ‘round the fire for this soul-tickling podcast! The Moth presents true stories worldwide told live to a room full of strangers. Each hour-long episode tells three stories that will leave you grinning to yourself, laughing out loud, tearing up, or reminiscing about a story of your own. This feel-good, humbling podcast will meet you wherever you are in life and offer you a warm embrace. Tune in to become an audience member every Tuesday and Friday to view life experiences through different lenses; each story told with a hand on the heart. You can even catch live recordings of The Moth right here in Chicago!
Couples Therapy with Candice and Casey Vlogger and content creator Casey Neistat is best known for his videos on YouTube. Casey became a father at age 17 and dropped out of high school. Now 37, Casey founded his second company and just welcomed his third kid into the world! He hosts this podcast show with his wife Candice Pool, founder of the jewelry company Billy! With their busy lives in New York City, they use this time together every Friday as a therapy session, where they discuss aspects of their marriage, friendship, and parenting. With several ups and downs, the couple displays raw dilemmas as they try to search for a solution. Indirectly become a third wheel as you get in between their arguments about Casey’s traveling and love for running, while melting into their humorous and heartfelt conversations about their two-year-old daughter, Frannie. Whether you’re in a long-term relationship or single and not ready to mingle, this podcast will shed some light on relationship dynamics. More importantly, it will emphasize the relationship necessary to have with yourself.
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ARTS & CULTURE
VISTA MAGAZINE
Winfield by Jesse Johnson The death of winter is awarded with abundant rains only to nurture flowers that grow content smiles on people feeling the warmth of a new spring. The soft winds soothe an open mind under a tree given by the sun above. “Shh” she whispered “Just listen” As night falls, the crickets whistle and the stars shine. The grass is greener Flowers can finally breathe “Thank you LORD” she whispered.
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SPRING 2019 ISSUE
VISTA MAGAZINE
RELIGION & FAITH
WHERE TO START by Mara Franzen Like many of you, I was sorely disappointed by the dialogue surrounding human sexuality last year. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, I think the majority of students found the discussion to be unhelpful, and noneducational, so once again, we are forced to educate ourselves. Luckily, I have some suggestions of where to start to dive into the topic of Christianity and what it has to say about the LQBTQIA+ community. Here’s what I can give you: two books, and a few websites, but hey, it’s a start.
God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships
Bible Gender Sexuality by James Brownson
by Matthew Vines
An incredibly well-written, and well-thoughtout argument about the ways in which the Bible actually deals with same-sex relationships. A great read for those trying to wrap their heads around the topic, and especially for anyone out there who is a queer Christian; this book helped me immensely.
Though the talk was disappointing, the book is not. A bit longer than the book above, but it is still incredibly useful to those who are beginning the journey to understanding the arguments that exist surrounding queerness in the church.
Websites: Queer Grace - http://queergrace.com/ Their Mission statement is as follows “Queer Grace is a curated encyclopedia of information and ideas around the life of LGBTQ people in the Christian faith. We hope to offer a safe space full of resources for all those navigating their journey in the church.” Though I have not personally explored their page to any notable length, there are many interesting articles and resources they have to offer.
The Reformation Project - https://www.reformationproject.org/ This organization was started by Matthew Vines. They host an annual conference and have a Chicago chapter and plenty of resources on their website. I was fortunate to attend the 2017 conference in Chicago, and it was an incredibly spiritual experience that I’m honored to have attended.
Church Clarity - https://www.churchclarity.org/ In general, this is a great website for finding a church that will fit your desires. This website also gives insight into how affirming a church is, so you can tell if “all are welcome here” actually means “all are welcome here.”
I know it’s not an extensive list, friends, but it’s a start. I wish you all the best in your journey. Stay strong. God Bless. Mara’s piece follows ongoing discussion about the aforementioned discussion last year on human sexuality. More details and discussion about the event can be found on our website at www.vistamag.org/commentary/the-dialogue-that-never-happened
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VISTA MAGAZINE
SPRING 2019 ISSUE
Enneagram Type Four: The Romantic by Justin Polsley
During my sophomore year, I was surrounded by conflict, and it seemed as if the world was against me. There was constant dissidence with my closest friends, roommates, and girlfriend at the time. One thing after the next, and it seemed that no one could understand how my life at the time was engulfed by difficult situations and strained relationships. However, of all those circumstances, I was the common denominator. I, alone, was the source of this conflict, but I was unaware of this rationale. Similarly, I think this issue can be true for many people. It may not be the issue of conflict, but it may be an addiction or passiveaggressive tendencies. Either way, everyone has some form of issue that they are initially unaware of. I use the word issue to keep it broad, but the idea is we all have some sort of dysfunction that we may or may not be aware of. Another way of looking at it, we all have something to work through in our life because of past pains and hurt. I was not able to fully self-reflect on who I was until I took the Enneagram test. This test is one of the many personality tests that you can take online, but this one is famous for being incredibly accurate. I remember taking the test only because everyone else was, and they loved it. Evidentially, my friends were two’s, seven’s, and eight’s and they loved what the test had to say about them and how awesome they were. A two is known as the Helper, who is caring and interpersonal, the seven is known as the Enthusiast who is spontaneous and funloving, and the Challenger, known as the eight, is the willful and powerful type. The personality types that my friends represented were nothing short of empowering. On the contrary, my personality type is the four, the Romantic who is sensitive and withdrawn. Yikes. To make it even worse, the “Famous People Who Were Fours” section had an abundance of people listed who had horrible lives or killed themselves. However, the first part of self-reflection is seeing qualities that we try so hard not to acknowledge. Change, or healing our dysfunction, cannot
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happen until we fully see we are broken. In Luke 22, it tells the narrative of Peter denying Jesus three times as Jesus told Peter that he would. After the third time, Jesus and Peter made eye contact, and Peter wept bitterly. This was Peter’s turning point because he finally came faceto-face with his past and negative tendencies he tried so hard to run from. After this moment, the Peter we know was vastly different. This was someone who was still learning but much bolder and stronger in who he was. Every type has some messed up stuff, but none are as bad as a four. Fours, when they are unhealthy, are manipulative and unstable. (I can already see people who knew me in my freshman year who are nodding their heads in agreement.) I can be happy one second and completely sad the next. Or I can be completely in-between those emotions, but everyone would think I’m depressed. Authors who have written about the Enneagram write that the feelings of fours are like an allencompassing vortex. If people get too close, they could get sucked into the drama that we create. And did I mention that fours will create drama, so that they can feel intense emotions? The attractiveness of the test certainly faded away as I learned more about myself. The challenge is to know what to do after I was educated. I had to learn to appreciate my emotional diversity. I can bring passion to any team that I am in. I am like a living Rom-Com. I have an enormous capacity for empathy. Now the question for many is, “What is so important about the Enneagram?” The answer: Nothing. The Enneagram is just a means to understand who you are. What is important is knowing more about who you are and what makes you-you. Pastor Judy, the campus pastor of NPU until last year, told me often that I need to learn how my actions are led by my past pains. She would share a scripture about the word “iniquity” and how this word actually means “crooked.” This could be compared to a tree that is growing on the side of a cliff, bent and warped because of its environment. We all have some kind of warping to us, but the good news is there are steps to take to learn how to heal from them. One step in the right direction is to take the Enneagram. I like to think that crooked trees can eventually grow straight.
SPRING 2019 ISSUE
Anti-Vaxxing
VISTA MAGAZINE
COMMENTARY
by Jacob Whitfield
Perhaps the most bipartisan issue in politics today is the matter of freedom. Very few people today support a restriction in freedoms. Freedom is, however, at the center of most policy debates today, and each side of the debate has their own ideas of freedom. In fact, many use freedom as the support for their argument, such as the freedom to bear arms, or the freedom to smoke marijuana. Those that would oppose measures such as these very rarely frame their arguments as a restriction of freedom. It’s hard to win a debate by arguing that people deserve less freedom, but sometimes less freedom is a good policy. The World Health Organization added the anti-vaxxing movement to its annual list of the Greatest Health Threats. They warn that the growing skepticism around the usefulness of vaccines “threatens to reverse progress made in tackling vaccine-preventable diseases.” The current measles outbreak in Washington and Oregon, in which 37 of the 44 people who contracted the disease were not vaccinated, further emphasizes this real and growing danger. While this is most evidently a public health crisis, the foundation of this crisis is morality. The antivaxxing movement is built on prideful arrogance, selfish individualism, and ignorant skepticism, all of which are the consequences of an immoral use of one’s own freedom. All three characteristics are extremely prevalent in American society and manifest themselves perfectly in the anti-vaxxing movement. For all the good freedom gives humanity, its vices are not insignificant. The very best of freedom fosters new ideas and self-expression. It fuels the development of human society and innovation. It allows humans to capitalize on the very nature of creators. The benefits of freedom, however, are completely dependent on the very humans that have it. A good and moral society will use freedom for the very best purposes. Perfectly good and moral societies are non-existent though, and those flaws in society will corrupt freedom. Anti-intellectualism and extreme
individualism are the two major flaws that are corrupting freedom in the United States today. Giving birth to a child does not make one the most qualified person to raise that child. Parents are not the most informed, educated, and rational decision-makers for the well-being of their child. It requires arrogance to think otherwise. Parents do know the specific needs of their children the best, but not always how to fulfill them. There has been a consistent trend in American society to reject intellectualism and that has manifested itself in many areas. The most dangerous is the rejection of scholarship on health. The anti-vaxxing movement is a fad. The American struggle for individuality is constantly searching for ways to be different to prove that they aren’t part of the blind masses. We want to be free from rules and authority. Individualism also corrupts civic duty. There is no need to help society, only help ourselves and our most immediate family members. Herd immunity doesn’t matter; it’s not a direct risk to their own kids, so why should they care about the others? Individualism tells us that every man is for himself. The anti-vaxxing movement is Social Darwinism -- let the best immune system win. The argument laid out in this piece isn’t to convince anti-vaxxers that they’re wrong about vaccines. This argument is for those that are convinced that there is a correlation between the increase use of vaccines and the decrease in deaths by the diseases that the vaccines were created to eradicate. It is an attempt to reframe the debate. Pro-vaxxers cannot convince their opponents using facts because the counterarguments are disproven theories and shallow emotionalisms. Their theories can’t be disproven because they don’t care about proof. Pro-vaxxers must understand this as the moral and philosophical problem that it is.
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ARTS ARTS &&CULTURE CULTURE
VISTA MAGAZINE
THE
LAMP LADY OF
CAROLINE HALL by Nancy Gorman
SPRING FALL2019 2018ISSUE ISSUE
The illuminated camp counselor’s face as he warns you of spirits in your cabin, the aching anxiety of desperately wishing a horror movie character would not go into the basement, even the unbeknownst glance you share with a friend when the floorboards of your new apartment creak just a fraction too long. Mention of the paranormal is guaranteed to garner a reaction. Regardless of where we come from, or the stories we’ve heard, nearly everyone has their own experience with what we call “ghosts.” For the most part, it isn’t positive. Yet, while we all recognize the strange nuances that mark paranormal activities around us, or at least the ones we see in the movies, spirits are often seen as a problem that other people have to deal with. Even people who actually believe in the unhindered undead do so from afar, supporting others’ ghost stories but attempting to keep their distance as much as they can. Besides, have you ever heard of a story of a friendly ghost, sparing Casper? The immediate human response to these phenomena is to deny, hate, fear, or ignore. While most attempt to distance themselves from these ghostly happenings, those who live under specific conditions are almost certainly going to encounter something from beyond. If one wishes to avoid spirits, it’s best to live under the following conditions: avoid living in densely populated or urban areas, avoid places with mass historical relevance, and avoid places where frequent change is bound to occur. Unfortunately for those reading this, North Park is the exact opposite of what I’ve just listed, making it one of the most haunted areas in all of Chicago. Caroline Hall is one of the sites of the most paranormal activities on North Park’s campus. Erected in the 1920s, Caroline Hall was once the girls’ dormitory. It was named for Caroline Sahlstrom, the first female faculty at North Park and the first Dean of Women. Caroline Sahlstrom was not only the first woman, but she was beloved by her students, leading her to be a clear choice when christening the first girls’ dormitory. During its first year, eleven women lived on campus, ten students and their Dean, Miss Helen Sohlberg. Miss Sohlberg was also an incredibly influential woman on campus. She served as the second Dean of Women at North Park in 1923, and for that reason, she was extremely involved with North Park’s affairs. Miss Sohlberg lived in Caroline Hall with ten female students and was an RA, RD, and nurse all packaged together. During her time on campus, she would ensure that the ladies in her building would stick to a regimented schedule to maintain a solid academic lifestyle. While each girl had plenty of free time, Miss Sohlberg would ensure that each one began studying at 8pm before ensuring that all lights were out at 10:30pm. She was dubbed the “lady with the lamp” because she would go door to door with a lamp, ensuring that every girl had found her way to bed when it was time.
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photos by Ethan Oliver
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Today, almost a hundred years later, it appears that Miss Sohlberg has not retired from her duties. There are a multitude of reports that Miss Sohlberg is still in Caroline Hall. Mild reports come in the form of whispers, giggles, and footsteps, often attributed to the ten original female students of Caroline Dormitory. Many also claim to hear loud knocking on the walls, almost as if Miss Sohlberg herself is attempting to get into a girl’s room. The most haunting of experiences, however, is those who claim to have actually seen Miss Sohlberg. It is said that if one is found in Caroline Hall after 10:30pm, then Miss Sohlberg will actually appear, equipped with her nightgown and lamp to demand quiet in the dormitory. It is for this reason that most faculty avoid Caroline Hall once the sun sets, for fear of being driven mad by Miss Sohlberg’s incessant rules. At this time, it’s my duty to tell you that this story is not real. There are no documented reports of paranormal activities in Caroline Hall. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that there are no ghosts in that building at all. At the same time, the stories of these women at North Park are not lies. These “ghosts” were real, living people who worked and thrived on North Park’s campus. To most people, their stories are lost to history, often unacknowledged regardless of the impact that they made on campus today. They are often nothing more than a sign outside of a lecture hall, despite deserving much more recognition.
ARTS ARTS&&CULTURE CULTURE
People love the paranormal. They love not only the mystery of people who are unable to pass into the afterlife, but they also love hearing the stories of what made them unable to pass. Any individual episode of Ghost Adventures or Buzzfeed Unsolved will include extensive research as to why that spirit is unable to cross over, whether it be unfinished business or unruly conditions. And people love it; they love knowing the history that leads to what we know as the paranormal, but only if it includes strange sounds or feelings in the current day. For some odd reason though, regular history is not treated with the same strange infatuation, despite the fact that telling someone’s story brings them to life in a much less scary way than seances do. It isn’t hard to see the lingering effects of these stories, but because they don’t involve spectral appearances, they aren’t taken as seriously. This is a real shame. So yes, there are ghosts on campus. But they are not poltergeists, and they will not be sucked into a vacuum by Bill Murray (or Melissa McCarthy). Instead, they are stories, reminders and history of what made North Park the school it is today.
A special thank you to Andy Meyer at Brandel Library for help accessing North Park Archives. A wide range of North Park history is available online under the Archives tab of Brandel Library.
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FINDING RESTORATION IN
CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPO-PLASIA by J.D. Tuell
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photo by Ethan Oliver
SPRING 2019 ISSUE
VISTA MAGAZINE
RELIGION & FAITH
Growing up in a family that brought me closer to Christ
relationship with Jesus. There is a risk in every good decision, for that risk is the opposite of the unknown. I by doing life with each other, there were still many have learned to live a life that is capable of choosing the conflicts, yet still ways to overcome the weight of hard unknown because there is freedom in making that choice. trials. As the youngest child, I learned what it is like to live I have chosen the risk of playing sports with low energy, a life that is dominated by older siblings in my family. The and God has shown more than ever in that risk that He is health issues I struggle with led me to an understanding faithful. I have taken the risk of a college education when that God is a healer and explained what it means to be a my memory is compromised because of my health risks part of the family of God. and God has been my reminder of my capability in that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. God is the healer and the best friend that I, Justin Daniel The last risk I have chosen is to abide in Jesus regardless Tuell, could ever hope for. My life began as a miracle. of my circumstances around me. I make it a discipline to Being born with Congenital read the Bible and journal every Adrenal Hypo-Plasia, also night. I desire to live out John 15 known as Addison’s Disease, where it says that I must abide in I have lived a life where my I have learned to live a life Christ and Christ will then abide body has never worked with in me. To abide is to stick with functioning adrenaline. As I that is capable of choosing Jesus regardless of my disease, grew older, I began to recognize my seizures, my struggle of that I could have my own the unknown because there is school, and no testosterone. To personal relationship with Jesus, freedom in making that choice. abide is to maneuver through a pietist approach to knowing life, fully trusting in God. God. I accepted it because I am the youngest child who desired This is my story. This is one to live an independent life with example of how God moves and God regardless of my family’s works in people. What risks are beliefs. The reality of my disease is that God saved my you taking? What ways are you going to be strong and life, literally from death, for I was once dead as a 7-day-old courageous? I encourage you to take a step trusting and baby with no working adrenal glands. This life did not just having faith in Jesus that you will be taken into a place have a miraculous start from birth but continued to make of healing. Abide in Christ every day and be transformed me into the man I am today. in the spirit so that you may live a free life in Christ. You are at your fullest potential when you allow God to be in Joshua 1:9 is my life verse which declares to “Be strong and every aspect of your life. Whether that be in school, in courageous for the Lord, My God is with you wherever work, in athletics, in your family, your friends, and your you go.” This verse has brought me through seizures and own relationship with God. Take the risk of being in the low adrenaline and lack of testosterone. This verse has Kingdom of God. And while you step into the unknown, brought me through lack of energy that school brings but be strong and courageous, for God has promised you a life most importantly, it has taught me how to love people worthy of living. Joshua was promised land, but he had to really well. Taking healthy risks in life is an important part face giants and be in a lifetime of battling the enemy so of living an intentional life with Jesus. that God could have land for the Israelites. It took years. But the battle was worth it for they had God on their side, One healthy risk that I have learned to take is the risk of and God fought their battles for them. They risked their relationships. I have learned that through the strength of future but trusted in God. Are you willing to take that risk? Jesus it is okay to step outside the human comfort zone to know another person, so they may have their own
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RELIGION & FAITH
VISTA MAGAZINE
SPRING 2019 ISSUE
Who Is My Neighbor? by Brandon Davis “On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ ‘What is written in the Law?’ he replied. ‘How do you read it?’ He answered, ‘‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ‘You have answered correctly,’ Jesus replied. ‘Do this and you will live.’ But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’”
Jesus goes on to tell the parable of the good Samaritan, which can be summarized as: A man going from Jerusalem to Jericho was robbed and left for dead. A priest and a Levite pass the man and both continue walking on the other side of the road. A Samaritan stops and helps the man by bandaging his wounds, taking him to an inn, and paying for his stay there.
The expert’s answer to Jesus’ question comes from Leviticus 19:18 which states, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself….” What is interesting to note is the difference in meanings of the word “neighbor” as written in Levitical Law and stated by the expert. The expert regarded this word as to mean someone who is nearby, literally a neighbor. In Levitical Law, this word in Hebrew is “re.a,” which could also mean: friend, companion, or another, weaker, person. It is valid to assume that the “expert” in the law knew this distinction and that is why he wished to justify himself by asking his second question.
The man that was left for dead was most likely a Jewish man, which is significant because Samaritans and Jews did not associate with each other. The Samaritans were half-Jew and half-Gentile, which means they sometimes practiced idol worship, or that of different gods, and they lived in such a way that the Jews did not want any part of them. Yet, the man could not rely on his actual “neighbors,” who were the priest and the Levite man because they couldn’t enter the temple if they were unclean in any way, which restricts them from touching the man who was on the brink of death. The Samaritan saw this man that was desperate, and in need of a friend that was strong enough to help him, so he did. He gave the innkeeper a substantial amount of money (2 denarii), and even said he would come back and pay any extra expenses if needed.
It is not by accident that the man’s name is unknown; just as it is assumed that it is not by accident that the thorn in Paul’s side remains a mystery. It allows the reader to insert himself into the picture. Any Christ follower can attest to the fact that the justification of sin is a normal process when trying to deal with the reality of imperfection; because sin is just that, imperfection, or missing the bullseye, which is righteousness in God’s eyes. The expert knew his sin and thought that there must be a gray area somewhere in the Law when it comes to loving other people, especially those people that were outside of the Jewish race. Jesus might have been the wrong person to ask if he was seeking justification because Jesus was on a mission to find the broken and the outcast and break down the barriers and restrictions of the old Law in order to establish a new Kingdom built on new grace.
Jesus wanted this man, and all of us, to realize what loving God is really about: loving people. Not just the people that look like us, or act like us, or think like us, but the person that is so, completely opposite and less fortunate. It is only by the grace of God and the Holy Spirit overflowing out of us that we could even have enough compassion to help a person like that. There is no gray area when it comes to the love of God, so there shouldn’t be a gray area when it comes to His children loving each other. If we are to be like God, we should be able to see each other the way God sees us, which is through the lens of Jesus Christ who covered all sins and made us perfect in God’s eyes. So, who is my neighbor? My neighbor is anyone in need that I can show compassion towards and help, not out of self-righteousness, but out of the outpouring of love and forgiveness shown to me first by God Himself.
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SPRING 2019 ISSUE
VISTA MAGAZINE
COMMENTARY
Put a Little Hope in Political Justice Faith in Justice should not be Political, but Spiritual by Jacob Whitfield Life on Earth is unsettling. We’re either taught, or we learn, that it’s simply “unfair.” Fairness and Justice are directly related. True justice is fair. Fairness is justice. Justice is, simply, getting what you deserve. In a sense, those that do good receive benefits, and those that do bad receive punishment. This is often not the case in life. Individuals, and groups of people, have suffered as a result of others. Those that have caused the suffering benefited from it, sometimes with no punishment. Or, in the very least, if they aren’t rewarded, they still aren’t punished. This manifests itself too well in government. Those that possess power are often the purveyors of injustice and use their power to further the injustice. If this government is our sole source of hope, we will always be disappointed and lack any reason to hope at all. Beliefs should be built on rationality but also a desire for inner peace and contentment. Perhaps your belief isn’t the truth, but it still makes life better. You should choose beliefs that make life more bearable, not just ones that give life sense. More often than not, it seems as though government policy fails to be just. It is too cruel to believe that the entire story of the human experience is this injust. When an individual has been harmed, they deserve justice. Rarely, on Earth, do they receive it. Are the recipients of this injustice just supposed to live with it with no hope?
I choose to have faith in, and hope for, justice. I’m not able to articulate exactly what the justice will look like, but there are several assumptions I make to explain the hope. The first is a basis for right and wrong. There are universal truths in which all human beings can be measured against. Murder and rape are wrong in every context. Murders and rapists deserve punishment, because what they did was wrong. How do we know something is wrong? It inflicts harm on another person. Something is wrong when it inflicts damage on another person. Secondly, built on the foundation of the universal truths of good and evil, those that inflict harm and those that promote peace will have just rewards for their actions, apart from the life on this Earth. I have a hope that there is a God that loves justice. There is a being, God, that desires what is good, and justice is good. I can’t say my position is more rational than others, but it brings me the most peace. I can live in peace based on what I believe, but my beliefs do not change the truth. I am not so much interested in the truth as I am for contentment and peace. While I do believe in the signs that a God exists, it’s not that position I will defend. My position is that there is a moral good, a moral good that leads to happiness, peace, and justice. We should strive to bring these qualities in the way we are governed, but those efforts will always fall short. I do not know when this good will manifest, but my belief in it brings me peace and comfort and hope. I would have none of the three without it.
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RELIGION&&FAITH FAITH RELIGION
VISTAMAGAZINE MAGAZINE VISTA
WINTER2019 2019ISSUE ISSUE SPRING
“And He Me”Me And HeAnswered Answered by Abby Imperial
by Abby Imperial
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VISTA MAGAZINE
RELIGION & FAITH
It was late, and I was on the roof right outside my upstairs window. I liked going out there because no one ever found me, and I felt so much more connected to whatever is out there when sitting atop those black, asphalt shingles. I went out there because I had business with God—I was asking Him to show Himself to me.
On my closet floor, I don’t think God ever came and hugged me. It wasn’t until the next year that I actually learned what it meant to be loved by God—again, crying in my closet. But I was able to leave loneliness and tears with Him, and go to bed and fall asleep comforted—how? I don’t know.
So, as I stared up at the sky, because that’s where God is, I asked him to prove that He was listening, to make something happen. I wanted him to move the stars right before my eyes. I’d read in my Bible about how He had given signs to His prophets and had spoken out loud to His leaders. I was neither a prophet nor a leader, but I knew that I was His daughter, so would he not do the same for me?
Neither time did God do what I asked—even as honest and desperate as they were. I didn’t have some grand epiphany from the heavens or some supernatural, intimate show of love. But both times I know that I learned something about God.
I was 14, distressed and hiding in my closet. It’s funny how the emotions simmer nicely and calmly throughout the day, but once it becomes night they boil over in an alarmingly uncontrolled and heavy way. I had my Bible because I was needing to hear from God. And I asked Him, in that moment, if He would hug me. This was a repeated prayer, one that I had prayed a lot when I was younger, but that was my last time to ask.
I learned that He is intimate with me, in the way that He kindly listens and tenderly replaces my loneliness and hurt with peace.
I was desperate for a show of love, one that would make me feel significant and one that would satisfy my longing to know this God. Pastors and youth pastors said God loved me through, but it seemed he wasn’t able to say it Himself. So, I asked, “God, would you let me know that you’re listening? Would you just simply reach down and hug me? I know that would be easy for you. You’ve held up the seas and put a stop to storms with one word from your mouth, surely you can reach down and touch me. Just touch me.” On the roof, I waited and while I waited, I discovered a fear so intense I had to stop looking at the sky—what if God actually showed me Himself? I would have no reason to doubt or any excuse to sin again. The fear rose up into my throat, and I couldn’t stop crying, so I lowered myself and laid down on my roof, suddenly so aware of my unworthiness.
I learned that God is so much holier than me, so much bigger, awesome-er, so different from me.
Now, looking back, I realize that I don’t ask these things of God anymore. I mean, I ask Him to calm my quaking hands when I’m about to stand in front of my class; I thank Him for my food; I ask Him to give me strength for my busy days. But no longer do I ask Him to reveal Himself or to show me a sign—is that fear? I’m older now and reasonable, why would the God of the world show Himself to me, a five-foot three woman who’s terrified of public speaking and walking alone? But sometimes I wonder if I’m missing out on knowing my Creator. What if He did really want to show Himself to me, but I’m not listening, instead distracted by my requests that He help me to be on time, or help me remember what I studied, or help me say the right thing? I wonder what we lose by becoming reasonable adults, and by succeeding in our pursuits of liberty and happiness. Do I lose the chance to know my God? To speak with my God? And for Him to speak to me? “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
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COMMENTARY ARTS & CULTURE
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FALL 2019 2018 ISSUE SPRING
English Breakfast Tea by Haley Hack We go on with our day like we are two complete strangers -Parted ways Delete everything and all the memories -Proceed! Escape from reality And when the whiskey bottle is half empty That is when you know to get another one And go numb Abandon the Sun. Eventually you two will unmeet After all the awkward repeats “Good thing I don’t eat meats” He had a bittersweet taste And she bit right in What a dangerous move If only she could predict the silent weeps from the window seat At least she had her MOON.
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COMMENTARY
The Power of Artmaking by Rebekah Law
There is a frame in my parents bedroom that is home to my first painting. It has three golden handprints perfectly plotted in a circle with a Bible verse written around them. One of the handprints is mine and the other two are my sisters’. The memory of making it is as clear as day despite it occuring when I was about four. Orchestrated by my mom, the pristine nature of it would not suggest the help of a fouryear-old, and yet it was the beginning of my fascination with art. Since then, art has become a natural inclination, solace, and powerful tool of communication for me.
some things that at first felt trivial or like any other prompt for making art. Upon working through the prompts, however, some of them started to uncover the deeper reasons of making art. In that class, I started facing questions of my faith, grieved the loss of a family member who had died two years prior and learned to subdue my chronic nightmares and insomnia. I learned how to make art as a prayer, and the spiritual quality of art was illuminated. I started realizing why artmaking had become so difficult for me. It was because artmaking was opening a door to being able to process things in a spiritual manner.
Growing up using paint, colored pencils, pastels, crayons, charcoal, and cray-pas, I found myself more and more inclined to use art for more purposes than making something beautiful. Many artists will testify to art being a therapeutic practice, but I believe it to be much more than that. There is a deeper reason to make art, and its power reaches beyond that of cathartic therapy. In 2017, my art shifted drastically from being aesthetically pleasing to being ugly, dark, or sometimes scary. The process of my artmaking went from being a peaceful time of the day to being emotionally difficult, challenging, and exhausting. This was a curious change to me and launched a personal investigation into why art had become difficult and furthermore, why I continued to make it.
Once this process was brought to light, I reflected back on artwork I had made before that did not make sense to me. I started realizing that the artwork I had been making had been attempting to depict the spiritual elements of events, feelings, and places. My work was not representational because it did not lay out what the eye could have seen. Instead, my artwork was revealing my own spiritual experiences and conflicts with these spaces. Art as a spiritual practice is different than art as therapy or even art as a professional practice. The spirituality of art becomes an exercise of meditation. While some turn to yoga, journaling, nature, or prayer, art has become my meditative practice. It has become a physical record of my communication with God. Each piece of art I had made was an attempt at relaying the struggles I was having to God. My studio had become my prayer room. While this realization did not make the process any easier, suddenly, I had a reason to make more.
Some of the answers to my questions came in the late spring of 2018 during a class about spirituality and art. In it, the class was assigned
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ARTS & CULTURE
VISTA MAGAZINE
SPRING 2019 ISSUE
Spring Cleaning Your Life by Elayna Swickard In the petite Japanese body of the world renown organizing consultant, Marie Kondo, lies the most abundant amount of eminent joy. There is never a moment her sincere smile isn’t stretching from ear to ear. Marie Kondo has built her life around the decluttering of her environment and discovering a profound joy she wishes to share with the entire world. This lifestyle guru is the author of four books including the best-seller — The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. This book has been published in over 30 countries and recently made its way to Netflix this January. The hit show, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, emphasizes the idea of keeping only the items that spark joy and thanking and discarding the items that do not. Kondo implements a specific method of disposal and organization that effectively shows the person exactly how to consolidate while sparking joy. She calls it the KonMari Method. This system focuses on organizing by categories, instead of rooms. Starting with clothing, then on to books,
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papers, komono (miscellaneous items), and then sentimental items, the method ensures complete organization of all the belongings. Once you gather everything in that category, you can pile it up to see just how much of one category you have. The last few steps of the KonMari Method are to find the items that spark joy and discard the ones that do not. After thanking them for their service, let them go. Marie Kondo would not be included among Time’s “100 Most Influential People” simply by cleaning people’s homes and telling people to throw away their junk. Her influential role stems from the deeper meaning in her decluttering tactics. Her key idea in the books and her Netflix show is figuring out what you want to cherish and retain in your life, and what you need to get rid of that could be weighing you down. People from all around the world are drawn to this idea of introspective discovery. Not only is their house getting clean, but their personal life, relationships, and soul are free from clutter as well.
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There are just a few basic rules Marie Kondo follows. Rule number one — commit yourself to tidying up. She will tell you, it’s about choosing joy. This life-changing experience is all a choice. She will not make you throw away anything you don’t want to, and she cannot change your heart if you don’t let her. This way of organizing is a choice one has to commit to. The second rule is to imagine your ideal lifestyle. If we can’t picture what we want, it becomes harder to obtain. Then, rule three is to finish discarding first. Organizing is hard when there are still things in our possession (or our life) weighing us down and keeping us from our end goal. The next two rules are to tidy by the category rather than location and follow the right order. The process the KonMari Method is very specific and by missing the steps, you could miss the ultimate change of heart. The last rule is the most important, though. Rule number six is to ask yourself if it sparks joy. If there is no joy, there is no point. The KonMari Method would not be what it is, if it didn’t have a deeper meaning than the superficial tidy-up. However, most of all, if we don’t choose to enjoy ourselves through this process, we will not arrive at the end goal of a lighter spirit and mind (and closet).
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ARTS & CULTURE
The timely nature of the release of this Netflix original hit America just as we were wallowing in the negative temperatures and salt-stained boots. This year, try the KonMari Method to “tidy up your life” instead of letting yourself sink into the slump of life. The timely nature of the release of this Netflix original hit America just as we were wallowing in the negative temperatures and salt-stained boots. This year, try the KonMari Method to “tidy up your life” instead of letting yourself sink into the slump of life. Start with Marie Kondo’s recipe of organization. First, pull everything out of your “closet” (if this helps to literally do it, then do it). Evaluate everything. All of the emotions you forgot you buried deep in your soul after that one break-up, all the events you signed up to do, and all the people that need your constant attention. Figuratively, hold each one through this thinking process, “Does this bring me joy?” Think, “Does going every Tuesday night to my fitness class bring me joy?” If so, keep it. Think about every person that texts you asking to come over because they need to vent, or the friend that only asks to hang out when it’s convenient for them. All of these tiny and seemingly harmless articles in your life build up. They make up the giant pile that you don’t see until you gather it all together. Sort through these ideas and decide who or what is worth keeping and what does not spark any joy at all. Once we sift through what to keep and what to let go of, it’s time to actively and unapologetically live out the life we were all made to live — one filled with immense joy.
Once we sift through what to keep and what to let go of, it’s time to actively and unapologetically live out the life we were all made to live — one filled with immense joy.
When the polar vortex swept through Chicago and left a seemingly-permanent overcast sky in its trail in late January, students and workers of all ages would agree that Spring couldn’t come fast enough. The longest part of winter was upon us as we sat in our layers checking the weather app weeks ahead for the slightest glimmer of hope that the wind chill would maybe ( just maybe) have more than one digit. But as the ultraviolet rays from the sun become a bit stronger, we reach the perfect time to reevaluate what in our lives we need to shed…other than our puffy coat. In the heat of school exams, the school year coming to an end, and finding or maintaining jobs, we live too busy of lives to get bogged down by unnecessary stress and weight in our lives. If we are not careful, our bodies become numb to all of the stress. Unfortunately, that energy does not just disappear — it releases in more unmannerly and insensitive ways. This could mean losing your temper with a friend or significant other or picking up a harmful addiction. The importance of getting rid of things in our life that don’t spark joy is much more essential than most would believe. If we live with excess for too long, the effects will show, and they will not be pleasant. However, if we take the time and effort to tidy up our lives, our overall health and wellbeing will become infused with joy.
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Stress is a natural part of life, not to mention unavoidable. However, despite the negative connotation, not all stress is bad. The decision lies in our hands to choose whether or not a certain situation or emotion brings us positive joy or leaves us in a state of sullenness. Marie Kondo’s idea of keeping only the items that spark joy is the perfect way to go about spring cleaning this season. If a stressor is causing you too much worry and not benefiting you in any way, gently thank it for the growing experience, and brush it off and away from your life. As we evaluate our life in the upcoming season, take only what will spark joy with you. Don’t forget the last rule of the KonMari Method — ask yourself if it sparks joy. If something in your life is inhibiting growth or a reason to be happy, it’s not worth your time. Spring is a time of new and change. What better time to apply the KonMari Method to your life? As you pick up the broom to clean your apartment just in time for the open-window season, don’t forget to sweep out any unnecessary items in your inner life as well. Take advantage of this season’s spring cleaning to declutter your space, and most of all, declutter your soul.
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VISTA MAGAZINE
Snow-Capped Views by Kaylyn Sweitzer
And the sky was just waking up, as if Heaven was coming down. Fires danced across the horizon, like tribal celebrations declaring good vibes only. Light flushed the faded cheeks, warmly spreading, flooding, filling the world with a new light and mercy. A great deepening, new beginning. Say “so long” but not forever, for there is a deep lingering longing. Leaving snow-coated grounds for light-filled skills and horizons. After trekking, finally flying. Sun-kissed wings, angling westward. A soaring ocean, thousands of feet above where it usually rests. Caught in a current, being pulled closer to cruel reality, a rude awakening, deliverance. A stomach-plummeting drop, the hill of a roller coaster – White-faced. Disorientated. Lost.
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SPRING 2019 ISSUE
SPRING 2019 ISSUE
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ARTS & CULTURE
On the Gyro by Emmanuel Carillo We’ve all been there before: an acutely growing discomfort in the stomach, the desire for a brief escape, and only a fistful of ones to spend. To top it all off, it’s cold enough to freeze your eyes shut, so you’re definitely not going very far. Sure, you could pay a visit to The Clown and pretend that your sad grey sandwich fills that ever-growing void. Or you could walk the road less traveled, the path of sages and heroes, leading to a secret pleasure enjoyed only by those select decadents in the know. See, you’ve been good all week, and you deserve to let your hair down, to let go of the reins for a few minutes while dopamine floods your system. You are going to put on your coat, your hat, your gloves, take a deep breath, and walk outside to get a gyro. In your heart you always knew that this is what you’ve been waiting for. You may be asking, “But, why a gyro? Surely any fast food will satisfy my hunger!” Dear reader, let me break down why this is the only option: you get thinly sliced mystery meat rubbed with spices and cooked to perfection alongside lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, all coated with tzatziki sauce and stacked into a warm pita for your convenience. Pure unadulterated bliss.
You also get a side of fresh-out-of-the-oil fries and a cold carbonated beverage (I recommend going for anything off-brand or fruit flavored). And yes, this is the sort of vice you’ve been warned about your whole life by repressed adults. Let go of your shame and bite into this overflowing culinary masterpiece. This is certainly a selfish act, perhaps even morally reprehensible, but not even the premonition of hellfire should detract you from enjoying this moment. See, you’re contributing to the American Myth by eating that gyro. You are fulfilling a civic duty to the people who founded this country as a land of individuals who aren’t afraid to stick it to The Man. You’d never catch George Washington dunking his McNuggets into his McBuffalo Sauce. Those wooden teeth would only ever clamp down on something noble and independent, something like a gyro from a family-owned establishment. That’s because eating a gyro is ultimately what it means to be an American. It is our inalienable right to choose the divine over the mundane, the unique over the mass produced, true joy over simulated happiness. I urge you, dear reader, to exercise your freedoms and get yourself a gyro as soon as possible.
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SPRING 2019 ISSUE
Getting Fit Together by Nicole Anderson
Personally, I hate to work out. I hate being in a gym because I have no idea what to do, which machines to use, or what muscles to work. Unfortunately, I am a broke college student who can’t hire a personal trainer to help me answer those questions, so instead I headed to one of the many free group fitness classes offered at Helwig Recreation Center in the hopes of finding some instruction there. Boy, was it fun. From Yogilates to Zumba to self-defense, group fitness is a great way to get in shape. My personal favorite class is Yogilates. The class is Monday nights from 7-8 in one of the upstairs classrooms. Grab a yoga mat and pilates ring and get ready for the hardest, most satisfying workout you’ve ever had. For thirty minutes, you work muscles you didn’t know you had. As the instructor always says, “I’m here to push you as far as you can go, but you are in control and can ignore me if you want.” She kindly yells at you to keep your legs straight or to not let your head touch the mat. While she will always push you, she understands that some people are beginners and some are weekly participates and she also wants you to do what is best for your body. The pilates half is brutal, but if you don’t push yourself, you will never reach your full potential.
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Finally, the yoga half arrives. You are tired and ready to relax a little, and the calming, slow moving yoga is perfect. The stretches are not too difficult, even for a very inflexible girl like me. You can feel your body thanking you when you’re done. Ending with a couple minutes of meditation -- which I know sounds scary, but it’s really a great time to just sit in silence after all that hard work -- you know you are about to have the best night of sleep ever. Yogilates is super intimidating, but I never really worked out before, and I go with a girl who works out everyday, and we both are able to do it and feel the pain afterwards. No one is too good for the class or too bad. Bored on a Wednesday night? Head over to Helwig and catch the self-defense class. With just a couple participants, this class is a great safe environment to learn how to be safe in the world. The instructor started the class teaching and practicing the simple, yet effective, striking routine: eyes, kick, palm, slap, elbow, knee. After a review of the basics and grounding those into your head, he switches to a new, specific technique to help add variety and still teach us how to protect ourselves.
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One week he went over what to do if you’re held at gunpoint or knifepoint. At the very end, he went over what to do if someone grabs your hair. It was like no other self-defense class I had taken before, yet it was easy to follow, and I feel much more sure of myself if I, God forbid, ever get into a horrible situation. I will definitely add this into my weekly routine; not only was it very educational, but it was also very therapeutic -- learn how to be safe, while also letting some of that stress and anger out on a punching pad. Don’t like traditional workouts and don’t need to learn how to protect yourself? Join me and my friends at Zumba on Thursday nights, 5:156:15. It’s a fast-paced workout to loud music, which makes it feel like an extreme dance party. Ten minutes in and you will be sweating so much you’ll need a water break. As someone who loves to dance, this class is a great way for me to dance while being intentional to work many different muscles.
Zumba is a great little break from studying; I have had many writing epiphanies while cha-chaing all over the mezzanine of Helwig. Zumba is especially enjoyable when doing it with friends; no one is perfect and being with people you can joke around with adds a little extra fun. But do not underestimate this class; you will leave tired and feel it the next day, or two. Helwig offers so many free, fun, fitness classes. All you need to do is find one, or two, or three, that fit into your schedule and go. If there are any materials needed, they will be provided for you. Just bring yourself and a water bottle and you’re good to go. I was not able to go to all the classes, but I was able to find the ones which worked for me, and I actually look forward to going to the gym. Whether it is morning or night, Helwig has a class for you.
Helwig Schedule Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
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24
ARTS & CULTURE
SPRING 2019 ISSUE
VISTA MAGAZINE
Excerpts from a Series of the Broken Hearted by Hannah Thomas
by Hannah Thomas I chose these two poems from my working manuscript of “A Series of the Broken Hearted” because they are two of the most complete poems thus far that best fit the premise. Everyone has been a form of brokenhearted at least once in their lives, and it sucks. Every broken heart is unique, but the mindsets that go through everyone’s minds are similar. The feelings of longing or sadness and the eventual feeling of acceptance. I wanted to convey these feelings in the following pieces to help show the people trying to heal from a broken heart that they are not alone.
To love the unlovable makes me think of me but it made her think of me, too To love the unlovable is like giving a tight hug while no one hugs back what used to be me To love the unlovable is like kissing with no sparks i guess that’s why he thinks of me To love the unlovable is like missing someone who hasn’t thought twice about me clearly that’s them on a bad day To love the unlovable is like having sex with yourself thanks to depression that’s you before me To love the unlovable is to impossibly love me
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People say just let go no talking silence just be People say there’s someone else I ask three times no no no people aren’t you and me People say let it be it’ll be Fine. it will work out but what if
VIS
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All written content of this magazine may not be reproduced, duplicated, republished, or featured without prior consent from the publishing editors. Social media photos and some images resourced through free licensing agreements. All rights reserved. 2018. Print layout & design by Caroline Patterson Cover photos by Ethan Oliver