Day 2: Self Discovery by Amanda Carlile


Today was a very busy, full of many fun and exciting activities. We got to use thermal cameras to spot the different temperatures of organisms in the tide pools. We also went out to Coconut Island, where we created a mini research project, went snorkeling, and identified different types of fish in the water. We were also lucky enough to go to the University of Hawaii Hilo and meet a professor who showed us the amazing tools he uses in the field. Even though the day was super packed, it was so much fun, and I took away so many things from our different activities. 



The main events that stood out and had an impact on me were the discussions and activities we did in the beginning and end of the day. They both taught me about self-discovery in different ways. During our discussion about the earth systems and how they affect each other in the morning, Susan, our instructor, read John Muir's quote that “when one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” This one phrase got me thinking about how this isn’t just true in nature and the systems affecting each other and in my daily life. I realized that every action or decision I make affects me and someone else. Even if we only do one action, it can affect multiple other people or things in the world without us even knowing. This one discussion about earth systems and how things are connected opened my eyes and made me think about my life and how one simple thing can affect so many people. 


The other thing that taught me about self-discovery was the activity at the end of the day, where the whole group took personality and leadership quizzes. I ended up learning that my leadership style is the color red. This means that I am organized, and responsible, value stability and dependability, have a strong sense of right and wrong, and respect authority. This activity really got me thinking about my true personality and what I truly value. Not only did I learn about who I am as a person, but also how people could perceive me and how I can change how others think about me. I remembered the quote from the morning about how one action can affect so many other things, and I thought about how if I only show more of my red leadership side and express those traits, it affects the way other people think of me. If I only show one side of myself, then other people may not be able to see the real me, and a way I can change that is by showing the side of me that people may not see as often. I also found out what other people’s leadership colors were, and it made me get closer or discover more about people I just met. I connected with many people in my color group and my research group by talking about different traits we have in common or how we want people to view us. I could also open up to my research group and talk about our personal lives, like our proudest moments, hometowns, and favorite subjects. It made me feel a lot more comfortable with the people I am working with, and it was really great getting to know more about the people I will be spending a lot of time with. Today was a great day that allowed me to open up and learn more about my true identity and values.



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