This past Sunday I had the wonderfully amazing opportunity to attend what we called Catholic College Student Discussion Day (or something along those lines, pardon my if I'm wrong, it's been a long day). Students from Marist, CIA, Vassar, and New Paltz all gathered together for discussion, games, reflection, the sacrament of reconcliation, adoration, dinner and mass. It was a truly lovely day.

When I left and arrived home at around 8pm I was in one of the best moods ever. I was relaxed and at peace with the world. The discussions we had with our visitors were so open and honest, they were incredible, and the overall theme of the day (renewal) left me with a positive outlook on life.

We discussed and shared many great things, many of which I would stuggle to relate or put into words to share with you. However, three things stood out to me that I would like to share with you:

1. We were created in God's image doesn't mean God has two eyes, 10 fingers and a nose; it means that we were created with intellect and free-will. Our intellect allows us to strive for the truth, and out free-will makes us try and find goodness.

2. The ultimate freedom is love. Even when you are locked in a cell, stripped of choices, or made to do unfathomable things, you have the freedom to refuse to hate. That is powerful.

3. As Catholics we have 3 tasks: Sobriety, Chastity, and Excellence. As college students, that may not be what we want to hear, but they are important goals. The first two are self-explanatory and also well-known. The third jumped out at me as a lofty goal. Sometimes I am content with being mediocre, and not striving to be the best I can be. I realize that is a waste of my God-given talent and I should not do that.