Lenten season: a time for reflection

for each day and apply it to my life. This year, I decided to compliment people in my life every day. Not that I don’t compliment my friends or family, but I want to get into the habit of showing my appreciation for them.

often tip-toe around words and try to put the facts nicely as to not offend anyone, but I am beginning to wonder whether posing questions and stating facts is more effective when put honestly and candidly as Harvard University’s president did a few weeks ago.

Recently, I experienced first hand the short leash that is choking and limiting how free my free speech really is. There are so many things I have wanted to say regarding Coach Dzik and his unfair firing, and until now I could not even say that I felt it unfair. Journalists are supposed to be unbiased and neutral in every situation. But I am only human and I have an opinion and

I feel my speech is anything but free at times.

I am astonished that writers and reporters are being coerced to give up their most valuable right. College thrives on opinionated people! Even more discouraging are the journalists that function as Resident Assistants. They are forced to keep their opinion to themselves as a means to hold on to their job!

This is a country that is founded on freedom and the power to speak. Why then has speech never felt so restricted in our country?

With the huge appeal of online blogs and journals, it is apparent that millions of readers want to know their favorite reporter’s opinion on issues because online blogs have a greater circulation than all the major newspapers combined! Americans love to read get “inside scoop” on current events and an insider’s view on the news, but reporters are forced to be unbiased. Even in the privacy of their own home, where reporters and journalists willingly give up all privacy, they are still being reprimanded and even fired for voicing their opinions. Writers are losing the freedom in free speech.

If sensitive topics cannot be touched, how then does a journalist take back the freedom in speech?

For many of us, the season of Lent is upon us.We have always been told that we should give up something for 40 days. For many years I have given up many different foods and bad habits. However, after Lent is over we often go back to the bad habits. For the past couple of years I have tried to approach Lent in a different way.

Instead of giving up certain foods or bad habits, I am going to do something beneficial each day differently. Last year, one of my friends gave me an inspirational book. The book contained motivational quotes about life. This friend wanted me to read a quote

I understand this may not be the approach for some people. I am trying to tell people that they don’t have to give up something.

This season is meant to help us become better people. We can become better people by doing good deeds. They can do something for themselves or others that they normally don’t do. For example, my friend is trying to get involved with more community service.

If you still prefer giving up something, by all means do. However, doing something good for you and others is still rewarding.