Manifestation: A Symptom of Affliction
“I think when we were coming up with a theme at the the beginning of the semester, we really wanted something that was going to be able to fully embody all that we experienced over the summer and quarantine. So, we came up with Manifestation: A Symptom of Affliction. The notion of experiencing something difficult together, having to isolate to evaluate what it means for ourselves, and discussing these things with the people around us, allows us to go back to our relationships as better humans because of this inward discovery. After experiencing these things, we come to a point of awakening—and that can be really beautiful.”
— ANNIE ORTEGA, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
INSIDE THE ISSUE
PHASE 1 : EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY
Manifestation is the journey of identifying dysfunctional patterns, experiencing inward discovery, developing understanding of others and ultimately reaching your full potential. We believe experiencing difficulty is the first step in personal growth.
PHASE 2 : INTROSPECTION
After experiencing affliction, we turn inward. Phase 2, Introspection, embodies the discovery and pursuit of the shadows that hide deep within our psyche. In this phase of manifesting our greatest potential, we must tend to the emotional wounds carved by past experiences, traumas and relationships. We look to these shadows and bravely shine a light on past pains in the name of self-discovery and growth. Only then, may we embark on a path towards healing.
PHASE 3 : FINDING BALANCE
Once we look in, we are able to flourish from the inside-out. Phase 3 explores the complex beauty of finding balance within ourselves, others and our world. In this phase, we don’t find perfection. Instead, we embrace our humanness. We value people. We strive to manifest our greatest potential, but we give ourselves grace when we endure organic adversity. This balance is an accumulation of internal and external processing, both of which fuse together to fuel us toward our own utopia, empathize with others and collectively transform the world around us.
PHASE 4 : AWAKENING
A celebration of freedom, expression and growth, Phase 4 relishes in our ability to not only survive, but to also flourish at the hand of conflict, inner turmoil and external adaptation. Throughout the process of manifestation, we are forced to confront our shadows—shedding false beliefs about our capabilities and reevaluating the truths we’ve projected onto the world around us. Trudging through the trenches of our deepest insecurities, memories and desires, we come out on the other side of this difficulty with a newfound appreciation for our inner potential and hope for the future. No longer are we bystanders of a reality happening to us, but we emerge as the active creators of a reality working for us. In this final phase of manifestation, we experience an Awakening.
Strike Out,
Writer: Hallie Wright
Photographers : Anna Carrington, Johann Vazquez, Johann Vazquez
Videographers: Megan Osario Moran, Thomas Le, Ryan Rivas
Gainesville