Portfolio Website: www.lmwetzel.com
Post 4 of 4 – Week 4, Month 12 – Professional Practice with Colleen Cleveland
Assignment: Embed your “About Me” video in your journal with the link to your portfolio website. Under your video, write at least three paragraphs reflecting on your experience in the MDMFA program. Highlight several key learning experiences that you gained, and how you plan to use them to advance your career goals.
1. "By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest." ~ Confucius
I’ve completed many reflection posts in the past year. However, I’ve never been as excited as I am now to be writing one. It’s over! It’s done! Woot Woot! Pop the cork and let’s drink! In all seriousness though, writing reflection posts has been one of the things I’ve enjoyed most as of late. In the beginning I regarded it as a silly exercise and a waste of my beans, but as months passed I slowly realized the value in reflecting what I had accomplished each week and really started to embrace the wonders of writing. It allows you to step outside of yourself and view life from another perspective (at least it did/does for me). You can make notes to yourself on what did or didn’t work for you at a particular point in time. You can use it as a form of therapy when the brick walls around you seem, well  ...  I think you get my point. Anyway, when all is said and done at Full Sail, reflection will be one of the exercises that I continue to complete in my life’s journey; not necessarily publicly, but will continue for my own personal satisfaction and growth.
2. “Self-worth comes from one thing - thinking that you are worth.” ~ Wayne Dyer
I’ve never been one to boast about my talents or to claw my way to the top of a corporation for the sake of having a fancy title next to my name. If anything, I’ve been the chameleon on the wall trying to blend into the background as much as possible; in fear of someone judging me – worrying that I wouldn’t stand up against my competition. However, if there’s one thing I’ve learned to value this past year, it’s ME. Why did it take me so long in life to embrace myself and what I have to offer, personally and professionally? That is an answer I will never know, but I do know that my time at Full Sail was just the beginning of my journey to greater things in this life. Those who are confident, advance.
3. “There is no end to education. It is not that you read a book, pass an examination, and finish with education. The whole of life, from the moment you are born to the moment you die, is a process of learning.” ~ Jiddu Krishnamurti
Despite it being the end of my Full Sail journey, my education is not complete by any stretch of the imagination. Having spent the past year of my life immersed in projects requiring me to learn new software and new approaches to my work, I’ve realized that there is still much to learn for me to be able to continue down the path I want in life. Most people consider an online education to be less demanding than physical attendance at a brick and mortar establishment. However, I know otherwise! It requires massive amounts of self-discipline, dedication, and a constant desire to succeed. I’ve watched several around me (without said attributes) flop and flounder, while others (with said attributes) have skyrocketed – filling their jars with awesomesauce! Continuing my pursuit of perfection via education will forever and always be a part of my journey moving forward.
















