Dominos

Let’s talk about dominos. Have you ever seen one of those satisfying videos of a long chain of toppling dominos? Then the camera zooms out, and once all the dominos have fallen, it reveals a giant piece of artwork or portrait on the floor. The Domino Effect is when you make a change, activating a chain reaction that causes a shift in related behaviors or actions. This effect occurs because everything we do, our habits and patterns, are so interconnected. A shift in one area of our life can often lead to drastic results in others. One small action can lead to a huge change. With the fall of every domino, you just keep building up the momentum. The reason I am writing about this is to highlight how it only took a gentle push of that first domino to get the whole chain of dominos to start falling. And with that push, the entire chain continues forward.

There’s a fear that surrounds change, especially the first step. With most everything that we aim to accomplish, that first step always seems to be the hardest - but that could be because there’s no momentum. Fear can be paralyzing, but it can also be used as fuel; fuel that can contribute to the momentum to drive you forward.

Stacey Abrams is an individual who I think embodies this chain reaction of Dominos. She reminded me that yes, anxiety and fear are real, oppression and marginalization are still present in our world, failure will be encountered and there are going to be bad days. You cannot win this battle unless you acknowledge this reality; however, you must not succumb to it. Abrams' powerful story is an example of this resilience. Although she was not elected governor of Georgia, which was a pivotal goal that she had, she did not give up. She did not succumb to this defeat and since then, she has risen. She recently wrote a book called ‘Be Bold’, where she explains how “failure is not fatal”, and that no matter what life throws your way, it is vital to stand tall, remain bold and learn from your mistakes. She highlights the challenges of attempting to reach new goals despite being afraid. She tells readers to watch what actually causes their fear and attempt to understand why and where these feelings are coming from. There is power in understanding.

We are told to refrain from wanting more, to limit our ambitions, and to sublimate our wants and needs. But, fear should not determine our capacity or our ability to push that first domino over. We ALL have the capability, no matter what our own minds or others say.

Personally, a significant lesson I have gained from Stacey Abrams is centered around asking yourself specific questions about everything you do. When charting individual goals, she implores the necessity of dreaming big and internalizing your right to achieve greatness and happiness. She provides several beneficial tools that can be used to figure out your passions and refine your goals, including asking yourself these 3 questions.

1. What do I want?

2. Why do I want it?

3. How do I get it?

Look at your life right now. You have made choices. You have made choices every day. Whether these choices were done consciously or subconsciously, whether they brought happiness or regret, you have knocked over small or large groups of dominos that created the beautiful masterpiece that is you today.. Reflect on how much you have encountered already, take hold of your fears and anxieties, and let it fuel you. Ask yourself these questions, believe in your capabilities, and keep nudging over those Dominos.

by Anna Phillips '23 (Blog Subcommittee Member)