The O-town Scene - Oneonta, NY
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/23074
Brian R. Haak The Personal Statement Every law school application requires a personal statement. It allows you to ex- plain why you want to go to law school and, more important- ly, why the law school should let you in. There are three reasons a person attends law school: (1) make money; (2) change the world; or (3) they simply don’t know what else to do. However, all the advice is that you not write about how you want to change the world after law school, and the other two don’t look good on paper. I hated the personal state- ment. I found it intimidating. First because, despite present evidence to the contrary, I do not like writing about myself. However, the larger reason was I wanted to go to law school to change the world. When you are born gay, there is always part of you that wants to change the world. The world, when I applied in early 1999, was vastly different from today. LGBT people could be fired from their jobs simply for being LGBT. Lesbians and gay men could not marry their partners or inherit from their partners under intes- tacy laws. Families could deny LGBT partners access to hospital rooms or any role in planning funerals. Hate crimes and rape shield laws did not apply when the victims were LGBT. LGBT couples could protect themselves only through complex legal planning. They needed to make sure they had wills to ensure they could pass their property to their partners when they died, a health care proxy to ensure their partners could make medical decisions, and durable powers of attorneys to ensure their partners could make other financial and life decisions. I wanted to help plan and draft the documents they needed to change their worlds. But I also wanted to go to law school to change the larger world. Being involved in gov- ernment and politics since high school, I wanted to combine that experience with the knowledge gained in law school to change the laws we live under. Thankful- ly, other people felt the same way and lawyers have played large roles in some states recognize same-sex marriages, extending hospital visitation and health care protections to same-sex couples, and adopting anti-discrimination laws at state and local levels. Are we done? No. There is more to do. My personal state- ment, our personal statement, is a work in progress. Brian R. Haak is a graduate of Albany Law School and a lawyer with the New York state Assembly. Originally from Montgomery County, he now lives in Latham. Keep Up Now! Get a healthier mind “We are light whose frequency is timeless; whose source is boundless and are ourselves open channels of creative force from which we shine.” – Rob Ludwig Did you vow to get in shape this New Year? Promise to eat better, work out and exercise? Herein lies the problem; you still think you’re a body. In truth, the body is simply the vehicle you use while you’re having this human experience. The real solution lies in your mind. Apply everything you resolve to do for your body, to your mind. Choose to “think” healthier, surround your- self with positive vibrations and feed your mind the nourishment it needs to grow healthy, strong and clear; you’ll manifest a healthier life and your body will conform. Resolution No. 1: Don’t allow junk to enter your mind This includes TV shows, movies, music and radio programs promoting fear _ including the news. These entertain- ment venues feed fear and weaken your right mind. Your mind is power- ful beyond measure and designed for greatness. Don’t allow it to be diluted and undermined. Surround yourself with nature; go for a walk or listen to inspirational music. Watch only those programs that empower and inspire you. Allow your brain to reconnect to the Source, become confident, creative and manifest genius. Resolution No. 2: Take charge and watch out for fear thoughts _ anger, jealousy, resentment, guilt, anxiety _ these are all red flags. Be vigilant to choose love instead of fear. Our minds con- stantly wander, usually into the gutter. Put your “right” mind in command and stop the nega- tive chatter in your head. Resolution No. 3: Get yourself into a routine that encourages you to nourish your mind with healthy thoughts. Sur- round yourself with positive people, and join a meditation or study group. Visit a bookstore; they’re loaded with great books and CDs to motivate and inspire. Peruse the aisles until the right one finds you. There is a brilliant light that is you; acknowledge it in an instant, and you will realize your power. You are not a body; it is merely your vehicle. Nourish your soul. Manifest your reality, con- sciously, with every choice you make. Take responsibility for your experience. If you choose fear, know you have an opportunity to choose again. Remem- ber, you can begin your life experience again at every moment; “now” is the only moment. “Carpe Momento!” “Keep up Now! with the stream of higher consciousness and stay con- nected to the Source.” _Terry Ludwig Terry Ludwig’s brother, Rob, passed away in 2004 after battling AIDS. Before he passed, he shared his mes- sage. “Keep Up Now!” is the result of that communication. She can be reached at keepupnow@gmail.com. Jan. 13, 2011 O-Town Scene 27 the Diversity Scene Jan. 13-19