September, 2011 - University of the Incarnate Word

OPINIONpage 7September 2011www.uiwlogos.orgGaby’s garageTake action in thepresent for your futureIndicator lights show trouble aheadBy Gaby GonzalesLOGOS STAFFWRITERWhen you are out on the road and an indicator light on the dashboard appears,do you ever wonder why?A lot of people ignore those lights in hopes it will eventually disappear, orothers rush their vehicles over to an auto shop and overspend. To avoid such actions,you should be aware of the meanings of every light on your dashboard. Howdo you do that? The best way would be to look in your owner’s manual because itincludes a list of all the indicator lights that would appear on your dashboard.For example, if a light appears portraying a symbol such as a circle with anexclamation mark in the center, this means your tire pressure levels are unbalanced.You should then take out your tire pressure gauge and measure the PSI(pounds per square inch) in each tire. The maximum and minimum amount ofair will be measured in PSI and will be printed directly on the tire.Another common example is the appearance of an oil can. One can assumeits meaning is for an immediate oil change. If you are slow at making it to anauto shop, be sure there is oil in the engine. How do you do that?Open your hood and you will see a dipstick next to the engine. Pull the dipstickout, cleanly wipe it with a towel, and place it back in. Once more, remove thedipstick and notice the measurement of oil. Most likely the oil will be runninglow. Be sure to run to your nearest automotive store to purchase the amount ofquarts of oil you need to fill up to the max line on the dipstick. After completingthese steps, be sure to take your vehicle to an automotive shop as soon as possiblefor an oil change. For more information on how to change the oil in your caryourself, view my column at www.uiwlogos.org.These are just two examples of the common lights that could appear whileyou are driving, but there are many more. Remember, if a light appears on yourdashboard and you’re unsure of its meaning, take a look at your owner’s manualfor clarification.E-mail Gonzales at gagonza1@student.uiwtx.eduBy Sarah HudsonLOGOS STAFFWRITERSomething marvelous about the presentis that each decision we make in thatmoment, in an instant, creates our pastand affects our future.Unfortunately, we don’t always havecontrol over certain decisions and thingsmay happen to us. Sometimes, theseexperiences are so significant they notonly become our past, but they continueto be our future. Some events are so traumatizingthey consume our past, presentand future. Do these events determinehow we live our lives? Do the thingsthat happen to us make us who we areand who we are to become? Do we evenhave a choice?In one of my classes where we discussedchild psychology, I was introducedto Erikson’s eight stages of psychosocialdevelopment, also known as “The EightStages of Man.” We started out discussinghow from birth to 18 months, humansbattle with the issue of trust. From18 months to age 3, humans battle withthe topic of shame and doubt, and need tobe encouraged and positively supported.From ages 3 to 6, humans struggle withinitiative and start to thrive for a senseof independence which leads to moreof a desire for decision-making. Fromages 6 to 12, humans then struggle withinferiority as they enter the academicworld, needing reassurance they arecapable of success. During adolescence,peer relationships are key factors, as issuesof identity and role confusion come intoplay. However, when I reached the categoryof young adulthood where love andrelationships are imperative, I couldn’thelp but wonder: “What would happenif one reached one stage without havinggraduated from another?”As we discussed the stages in class, Isoon realized why we make the decisionswe do when it comes to our relationships.We base our decisions on what has beendone to us in the past. For example,should someone be neglected as a childduring the first stage of their life, theymay have issues with accepting love fromothers. If someone is always discouragedwhen it comes to performing skills eitherat home or at school, they may have issueswith believing in themselves directly affectingtheir self-worth. On the positiveside, should one grow up experiencinglove and safety, they may approach relationshipsknowing they are capable ofdeserving something marvelous.In this class, we also discussed studiesmade by various psychologists. Welearned the human brain is so powerfuland so complex it rarely forgets experiences.Although we may not rememberwhat happens to us, the emotions we feltduring those events are still lingering inour brains. That is why we sometimesmake the decisions we do.With all the compassion in my heartI must admit I feel deeply for those whohave experienced negativity in their lives.Whether it has to do with neglect, anyform of abuse, or low self-esteem, I canunderstand why those issues may affecthow you live your life today. However, donot let that negativity hinder you frombecoming who you want to become.Something I learned about the humanbrain long ago is it has the power tomake choices. Despite our past, we havethe God-given ability to make choicesand think for ourselves. We cannot letour past determine our present and ourfuture. We have the power now to affecttoday and tomorrow.If you find yourself struggling, whetherit be in abusive relationships or findingsomeone to make you whole, stop andask yourself, “Is this what I want?” “Isthis who I am?” YOU have the powerto make that decision for yourself. Giveyour brain some credit! Give yourself achance! I encourage you to try and lookat your past and see if there is anythingyou would like to improve, regardless ifyou’re experiencing difficulties in any relationships.Do you find yourself needingmore reassurance? Do you find yourselfstruggling with power in relationships?If so, you should see what you can do tochange it. You may not be able to changeyour past but you can certainly shape yourfuture. You’re in control, and relying onyour past as an excuse for negativity justisn’t going to cut it.Each decision we make in the momentwill directly and indirectly affectour future. Don’t let your past determinewho you are or who you are going to be.You have been given a gift of free will.Don’t let that go to waste. You determinewho you are. Don’t let anyone take thataway.E-mail Hudson at shudson@student.uiwtx.eduLOGOS STAFFEditor: April Lynn NewellAssistant Editor: Teresa VelascoNews/Feature Editor: Paola CardenasSports Editor: Jane Clare VosteenOpinions Editor/Business Manager: BiancaGuzmanPhoto Editor: JoAnn JonesCampus Editor: Kara EpsteinWeb Editor: Gayle BustamanteCartoonists: Felicia Eischens and Logan RagerGraphic Artist: Joscelyne PonderContributing Writers: Destine’e Flores, GabyGonzales, Sana Harhara, Sarah Hudson, SpencerLadd, Adrian Leal, Alfred MacDonald,Shayvonna Malcolm, Gaby Medina, UrshilaOrosco, Ashley Perez, Ashley Ramirez, JenaRakowitz, Danielle Reyna, Aisha Rodriguez,Clarissa Rodriguez, Sarah Ruan, LaurenSilva, Dana Sotoodeh, Katrina Torres, MarcTrevino, Secilie Villarreal, Jazzmine Walkerand Phil YoungbloodPhotographers: Aaron Brooker, Joe Concepcion,Kevin Duong, Alycia Hester, AdrianLeal, Jared Ozuna, Eric Patrick, Fred Pompa,,Joscelyne Ponder, Ashley Ramirez, Jena Rakowitz,Aisha Rodriguez, Desiree Sanchez,Chris Sullaway and Emilia SilvaAdviser: Michael MercerSigned editorials in The Logos are the expressopinions of the writer, and not necessarily that of thisnewspaper, its staff or administration.The Logos office is in AD 211. Phone: (210) 829-3964; Fax: (210) 283-5005. The adviser may be reachedat (210) 829-6069 or mercer@uiwtx.edu. The editor maybe reached at The Logos or via e-mail at adowning@student.uiwtx.eduThe postal address is 4301 Broadway, CPO 494,San Antonio, Texas 78209. The web page URL is http://www.uiw.edu/logos. E-mail us at logos@uiwtx.edu.The Logos is a member of the Associated CollegiatePress and Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.