A lot can happen in a year. This set duration often occurs faster than is realized. Even so, sometimes in the moment the speed seems to match that of a snail. Along with the each passing of 365 days comes memories which are collected and experiences that shape. These memories and experiences, both good and bad, shape each individual into who they are in the present, after the year has passed. This past week marks a year of my participation on the University of Portland Odyssey team. Looking back on this year I see my memories and lessons that I have gathered from being an Odyssey Creator.

The moments that I remember the most over this year are not the panicked nights frantically trying to come up with a story or request for an extension, but the power that writing has in general. What is meant by this is that having people read my article is really humbling. It is the type of thing that makes you feel grateful that another human took the time to read words that most times exceed the minimum word count of 500 words. The words that I have to share can make an impact, even if it is only to a single reader. I don't write to get the most reads, I write to spread ideas, and hope that my work can offer people what they need in that particular moment in time.

Words hold power and being apart of this opportunity to have some of the many words that I possess published, is such an awesome realization. Beyond that though, being apart of Odyssey has made me realize that writing is apart of who I am. It is something that I like doing to spread perspective, but also a tool that I use to challenge myself.

Odyssey spreads the ideas of millennials, but if you are doing it right it holds such potential to challenge each individual on a core level. This is all cool and dandy, but what do you get for busting your butt every week to create a new article? That is where being apart of odyssey is not for everyone. It is not paid, it is all volunteer, and we write to have fun. Yes, I know that as a college student we generally have a lot of other writing to do, so why would you want to add more of that type of suffering to your work load? Good point, but sometimes to be the best version of ourselves we have to push ourselves past our limits and capacities.

Odyssey does that for me. It keeps me accountable, and while I have the option to stop creating I don't want to. At the end of the day odyssey gives me a canvas to use my words to affect the way that I see the world, and hopefully how other people see it as well.

Over this year I have written countless articles and have posted them all on social media at least once. I have tagged friends and family and have probably annoyed a lot of people. From my stash, here are three of the most read articles that I have written:

1. 6 Sterotypes of University of Portland Visitors

Motivation: This article was very fun to write. My motive of writing this article steamed from the mass of people who I would see on my way to class, in the library, and well everywhere I was on campus excluding the bathroom.

Take away: By writing this article, the love and acceptance that I have gotten from UP was re ignite and refreshed. So much so I realized the desire to want other students to come to the bluff to continue their education. It made me prouder than ever to be a Pilot and prouder than ever to call the Bluff my home!

2. 10 Side Effects of Being a Faith and Formation Ambassador

Motivation: This past school year I had the privilege of being on of the resident Faith and Formation Ambassadors of Kenna hall. In the transition time between our role ending and the preparatory phase for the next group of FFAs, I was inspired by my experience to equipped the next generation of FFAs with knowledge that I was not aware of when I was going in.

Take away: The number of readers that this article has drawn really surprised me. I was not expecting for people to want to read about Faith and Formation Ambassador side effects. Not that that article want worthwhile, but that FFA is the type of thing that isn't super applicable beyond what it is.

3. What January 16th Means to Me

Motivation: My father passed away nine years ago marked by last Tuesday. January 16th was his birthday, and this year that hit me particularity hard. Writing this article was in gears to help me process my loss more, and hopefully show other people who have lossed loved ones that they are not along.

Take away: From writing this article, I saw the true support that the internet can facilitate. Not only did it make me feel loved, but the responses to this article showed me that others were able to feel supported in their hurt as well. It is articles of this nature that show me the true power that words have to spread good to a hurting world.

There are a lot more articles that I have created that are dear to my heart, but these are three of the most recent from the beginning of 2017. A year of my odyssey creating shenanigans might have passed, but I am not topping there. For there are more articles to be written, more ideas to be explored and more deadline to fret over. All-in-all, Odyssey is a true blessing and I am blessed to be apart of such a wonderful team. I have no regrets of my participation here, and reflection on this past year of creation proves that. I am excited for the future of my articles and I hope that you will stop by and read a few from time to time!