THE BURMAN
CHRONICLE
ISSUE 01 VOLUME 67
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22 .09.19
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Table of Content 02
Editor’s Note Jasmine Pickett
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Connections: Jazzlee Matira
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Poetry Hannah Amankwah
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Connections Takudzwa Nengomasha
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Poetry Noreen Moise
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Connections Byrna Figursky
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Poetry Monique Abrahams
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Connections Brenda Ngetich
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Connections Kenneth Appiah Kubi
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“As the world becomes a more digital place, we cannot forget about the human connection.� -Adam Neumann
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Jasmine Pickett 1 Connection final.indd 2
Editor In Chief
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EDITOR’S
NOTE
Change is always occurring. Would you like to know one of the constants in our ever-changing lives? Connection. Specifically with other people around us, but it can also be the connection that we have with music, art, words, God, or the universe. Connection is created through various things. It can be easily broken, or easily forged, but it’s always there. A constant when we need one. A solid rock to hold on to during a storm. I’m told that connection has started to disappear in our society, that because there’s less face to face contact, connection is vanishing before our eyes. I don’t think that’s true. It’s just that connection has started to adapt to newer generations. Generations that are more comfortable in front of a computer or a phone, rather than talking in person with another human being. That’s okay. This generation is different from the last one, and it’s finding new ways of connection. We now have the ability to see and talk to someone that lives in a different country, a different time zone, city, state. We have access to fast communication such as text messages and emails. We can connect to others by just posting photos of what we’ve been doing, or what we’ve been eating, or just pictures of random things. A lot of people don’t understand it. They think that we’re pulling away and putting distance between ourselves and others. Connection is being broken, they say. The way we connect with others might have changed, but the meaning of connection hasn’t. Connection, at its core, is getting to know the stories of others. It’s learning that we’re not as alone as we feel we are. Everyone has their own story. Writers, artists, musicians, scientists, social workers. The girl that sits next to you in class, taking meticulous notes and doodling plants around the margins of her notebook. The boy that always smiles at you when you pass each other in the hallway leaving your 8 am class. Your professors, your family, your friends, they all want to find their own meaningful connection. So, here I am, trying in my own way, to enable all of us on this campus to connect and to share our stories.
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What seems true across cultures is that social connections are key to well-being. Our interests, hobbies, beliefs, values, and so much more are important in finding that connection with other people. Personally, my main source of connection is through social media. It is no secret that the online world is growing rapidly and this helps me in connecting to my loved ones outside of campus. But even more than the technology and the instant replies, having meaningful and sincere conversations have helped me in creating deeper relationships with my colleagues, friends, and family. In many cases, people are afraid to communicate how they feel; that is where music, art, and science play their part. In the words of Tim McIlrath, an American musician, “Music speaks to people at a level that is much more universal and can [...] trigger things in the listener in ways that other forms of communication can’t.” In our generation, there are endless ways to connect with people, but aside from social media, here are five ways you can start your connections. Initially, set aside your own agenda and make the other person feel comfortable. Second, ask curious questions that can help them open up to you. Next, you have to lean in to the conversation and be engaged. Fourth, make a memorable moment: it could be a shared laugh, a moment of grief, or a deep sense of community with the other person. Lastly, keep the connection alive. Making an intentional decision is key. From greeting them when you see them, to exchanging encouraging texts, to reconnecting with them. If you want to do something, you will make a way for it to happen, and if you don’t then you’ll make excuses. Making a genuine connection is key in building a strong and growing relationship.
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The Oxford dictionary defines “connection” as “a relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with something else.” Similarly, Romans 1:12 says, “that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.” (NASB) To be encouraged and empowered by those around us so that our faith may grow stronger. Even in the beginning, God saw that all of His creations were good, but in Genesis 2:18, “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone.’” And so, God created Eve. We were made to be with one another, strengthened and supported by each other.
In a new year at Burman University, may each one find the means to step out of their shell and connect to others in a new way.
BY: JAZZLEE MATIRA
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“We are like islands in the sea, separate on the surface but connected in the deep.� -William James
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Connection Do we have a connection? I don’t think we do You’re trying to portray that love and affection But it’s just not simply coming through I see the shallowness in your eyes When you ask me “ How are you?” So I just respond “I’m good” Even though I’m hurting Because I don’t think that I can trust you Do we have a connection? I can’t hear your voice I know that you give me your love and protection And all I do is rejoice I’m doing everything right But why can’t I hear you Yeah I might hold a little spite But all of my friends do it too I finally sat down with People and God To figure out why we didn’t have a connection The people apologized and said that they were going in the wrong direction God said to me that My character needed to change its complexion
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The people realized that they weren’t being authentic and real and in order for them to better their connection they needed to open up and learn to heal God told me that I wasn’t being authentic and real and that I needed to start being vulnerable with Him If I wanted our relationship to be ideal In conclusion, to better your connection With others and with God Authenticity is key Just be real, spend time with each other And build that unity God wants us to connect with Him Just as much as he wants us to connect with others We should love, support, and lift up Every one of our sisters and our brothers. By Hannah Amankwah
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“Connection. Contact. We long for that, all of our lives, no matter who we are. I understood that, gazing at the stars that night. I understood it more terribly when I first arrived here.”
Coming to university, I thought that I’d have life all figured out. Picking the right major, right classes, and all that fun cool stuff. I never actually thought about what might go wrong in my university life. Having statistics class stress me all throughout first semester helped me connect with so many people. The reality of a similar struggle helped me find people that were in the same boat as me and it developed a support system. The strongest of connections are made in the hardest of situations. When I was so tired of the Lacombe weather, that was when I found my truest friends. Connections to me are about understanding each other, being your brother or sister’s keeper. It’s about being the friend that you’d want someone to be to you at your lowest. Close your eyes for a second, and think about all the small yet meaningful things that the people closest to you have done for you. To the unaffected eye, an event as small as your friend getting you food would be borderline meaningless, but the connection that has been made makes it priceless. When life deals you the hardest of hands, and everything that could go wrong does go wrong, the connections matter the most.
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Things do fall apart sometimes - late assignments, anxiety and depression may set in, loneliness, being home sick, and sleep deprivation. All these things can make you feel like failure is exactly what you’re destined for, but as soon as that thought comes to you, something great and unexpected happens. Your RA walks into the room with the funniest story to tell, or just lends an ear when you need it the most (by the way, shout out to all the fire RAs, you guys are phenomenal). Experiences like this have shown me that God does know the plans He has for you, regardless of what goes wrong or right, He knows. God places people that change our perceptions of ourselves, when we trust that He has a plan. There are people on this campus that have shown me that God cares when I was at my lowest, faith burning out and all. One thing I have learnt is that taking a break from the stress is the best thing I’ve ever heard of. Catch up on Stranger Things, sleep all day, listen to a podcast. I’ve taken a long time to realize that the best connection someone can have is with your own sanity. If listening to music all day long is your slice of heaven, then do it. Protect your mind and watch how much you grow and connect positively with others. BY: Takudzwa Nengomasha
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“
ge a u l s g n too ift a L a sh e, is at ap at th s sh l th it too es ant a ap St sh .” - e us tor Li
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That connection We connected That one time When we first met At that time It all seemed perfect One step at a time And then it flopped It was about time Much “I can’t hear you” Miscommunication Miscommunication birth Misunderstandings Misunderstandings turned into Chaos Then we lost it The connection They say a relationship without a connection Is like a phone without wifi You play games with it And I played games with Him I played games with God They say you treat and connect with people The way you treat and connect with God Think about it You fail your friend and want to walk away Thinking they want nothing to do with you You do the same to God You fail your friend and try to overcompensate To gain their love and respect back You do the same to God However He told me how it all worked How He will forgive me Every time How He loves me All the time
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How if I accepted the Truth in my life The connection would be restored I sat with this for some time Then it all made sense At the right time Jesus became the bridge Between me and God So we reconnected At a later time We restored it The lost connection And strangely It stuck Because there was something different Connecting us Not fear, Not worry, Not expectations, Nor assumptions But Jesus, Himself Truth, Himself Love, Himself And that restored connection Aids me with my connection with others To see them as He sees me To love them as He loves me And time and time again After failing and retrying I will finally know how to truly succeed In reconnecting you and me by; Noreen
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“In reading great literature I become a thousand men,” -C.S. Lewis
“I believe art is a connection, like passing on a flame.” -Wangechi Mutu
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“So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” - Romans 12:5 In Chinese mythology, connection is conveyed through the legend of the “Red Thread of Fate.” This myth depicts how the gods would tie an invisible red string around the little fingers of two people who were destined to be together. It is said that the string may stretch and even tangle as one goes through the twists and turns of life, but it will never break. There is another prominent symbol of Chinese culture that demonstrates how deeply rooted connection is through society, that being the Yin Yang. Looking deeper into the visual portrayal of the Yin Yang, one can see the two different sections of black and white, showing the differences of the two halves in opposition of shades, while also portraying their interdependence and connection, forming one in a circle. The Bible calls us as Christians to demonstrate this sense of connection by living in harmony with our neighbors and the Spirit. John fifteen tells the story of “The Vine and the Branches,” in which Jesus explains to his disciples how He is the true vine, and God is the gardener. The gardener cuts off the branches which bear no fruit, and prunes those that do so that they will continue to bear more fruit. Later Jesus goes on to say, “No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.” While it is imperative that we remain connected to “the true vine,” we must also remain connected as the body of Christ with a shared faith, so that we may all help hold one another accountable in bearing fruit for the Gardener. Going forward into this school year, everyone will flourish in different subjects and areas, and hopefully continue to use the skills God has blessed them with to the benefit of everyone within this diverse community. It is vital that through these differences, we strive to grow our connections with fellow classmates, community, and the Lord under the unifying nature of His love for us. By: Byrna Figursky
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“We get to choose who we let into our weird little world.”
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We all want to be needed. By: Monique Abrahams A desire to be a part, small or large. There is something about being connected that fills our heart, But being connected to others can only take you so far. No, I don’t mean to isolate or be alone. We can only connect so deep, If we haven’t answered the question “do I love me?” Yes, connection to others is powerful and strong And can influence us for the better, But no amount of others and things can make you love you. You are the strongest connection you have And for most, the strongest critic. Our judgements cause our own havoc. We connect to others in hopes that it will mute our own fears, But just because we throw it under the cover doesn’t mean it’s disappeared. I’m not trying to discourage or be bleak. This is just the reality of so many I see, including me, But if we were to change how we view ourselves, confront our fears and the things we hide, We will see ourselves more clearly, a benefit to ourselves and to others. It’s a hard process to do. Many would rather connect to others then confront Because the most difficult person to connect with is YOU. So what’s my point you might ask? Well it’s just to remind you. To remind you that loving yourself should not come last To not give up on ourselves so fast And maybe our reality will someday be when we say “yes I do love me.”
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Finessing with Connecting Third year Behavioural Science Major
By: Brenda Ngetich
I came to Burman for the degree, not to be connected to a net work. Seeking out help wasn’t my thing. I would avoid others to make sure I didn’t have to rely on them. Basically the “no man is an island” thing, but I was set on testing it out for myself. It is so tempting to walk this life alone, especially at this point in life where independence has begun to bloom. Now you’re out of the house, with new responsibilities and obligations to be taken care of, and expectations dangling over your head. It’s a lot of pressure, almost burdensome. Friends nearby know exactly what school life is like and may experience the same events as well. Instead of leaning on them, we make excuses like “why would I ask for help if I know they’re suffering just like me? I don’t want to make them suffer even more.” Whether this is true or not, it still doesn’t fix our problems. I made so many mistakes in my first year; buying my textbooks at full price, going over on my meal plan, skipping out on Sabbath potlucks, etc. It’s not that I completely ruined my university experience by solely relying on myself. I was making a lot of progress, progress that I never thought I would achieve.
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skipping out on Sabbath potlucks, etc. It’s not that I completely ruined my university experience by solely relying on myself. I was making a lot of progress, progress that I never thought I would achieve. However, I began to realize that though my progress may have seemed exceptional, others had been able to finish the same tasks in a shorter time with less stress and at less cost. Here are just some of the university hacks I learned here: Carpooling with friends to get groceries, emailing Burman students for textbooks and appliances, finding friends that are willing to give out their card for meals at the end of the year (since their meal plan won’t carry over to the next year). Ask for notes from teachers or past students, meal prep with friends so you split the work, always take free food home from events, get free bread on Tuesdays from the Ad building, go to the food drive in Lacombe, monopolize on potlucks, and so much more. Relying on God and His people means you can move past where you could be to where you should and are called to be. These groups of people should desire to breathe life into you and make your glow ups and low points their business. God and your core group of people are not out to reduce or hinder your progress. They want you to grow, regardless of whether you utilize the net work or not. I am still making first-year mistakes even in my third year but I am learning how to trust and rely on my connections as net works of strength, not weakness. I came to Burman which means I’m connected to a net work that will help me to not only get my degree but to grow throughout the experience.
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“The need for connection and community is primal, as fundamental as the need for air, water, and food.” -Dean Ornish
Kenneth Appiah Kubi Religious Studies PPT, 3rd Year A connection is an interdependent link between two or more people. It’s the bond that grows among people after a period, sometimes a short time depending on how fast the communication flows. A relationship without consistent communication can’t sustain the stability of a connection. The sharing of emotions through words and actions will define the strength and ends of the relationship. Hence, let’s keep a persistent lifestyle linking with others through communication What connects us as human beings is the reality of our distinct self and the descriptive emotions we possess. Through our emotions, we bond with others by expressing them through words or actions. We also connect on the bases of the ideal plan to close the darn of life, learn and earn the ambitions we perceive. I connect with people who practically express their real self; which means, being authentic and showing who you are. No faking! Some people somehow seek attention just for their inner self-love and not for the vision of sharing what they have. If I come across such people, it diminishes my positive intentions and the plan for connecting positively. Also, I study people before I can connect with them. Some people are overprotective just because of their past experiences. However, your previous experience doesn’t have to detain you from making a change in life. If you don’t learn, you don’t earn; which mean without lost you can’t redirect your lifestyle.
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I will say with an absolute concern that in the absurdity of life, Connection is essential for surviving. No one can live alone their entire life, because, without the presence of others in your life, it becomes hard for you to recognize your mistakes, how to correct them and become the better version of you. I have gained more knowledge about myself either spiritually, mentally, physically, socially and academically since my time in Burman U just for the merit of Connection. Nevertheless, with all my life experience, I can only better connect with others and God by keeping a constant life plan through consistent communication. I have learnt that you can only hold a strong bond with others when you maintain and keep a strong thread of love between the relationship. It means that we should have more selfless character and less selfish attitude. Also, through prayers, we stay connected with Our Father in Heaven, and through socialization, we keep our bond with others. On the other hand, I also connect with others through music. It’s funny how I’m not a good singer, but I love to see people singing, which draws me closer to others. Life is too short to be alone. Let’s live to achieve LLC; LAUGH, LOVE and CONNECT.
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WOULD YOU LIKE TO WRITE FOR THE CHRONICLE? PLEASE E-MAIL US AT SACHRONICLES@BURMAN.CA
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