U.T. Spirit

UT Austin was established in 1883, however it was not until 1916 did Stephen Pinckney "collected $1.00 each from 124 alumni and purchased a Longhorn steer"(pg.157) that would become UT's live mascot.


I find it strange how U.T. Austin's original mascot was a pit bulldog named "Pig" somehow evolved into this Mighty Longhorn. Nevertheless, Bevo the Longhorn is believed to have some sort of majestic power to control the hearts and minds of opposing players and will the Horns to victory. He is the good luck charm as well as the "protective spirit" of the university. I am one small part of this behemoth identity, but no matter where I go this identity I will take with me.

This Summer my family took a trip to Yellowstone National Park, and on one of the hiking trails I encountered UT Austin Alumni wearing their burnt orange baseball caps with pride. Although they were strangers, seeing that familiar longhorn icon made them automatically family. It was really wonderful to walk by and give them a Hook'em, knowing that they would understand it.

Reading about all the previous Bevos is really mind-boggling knowing that the legend and of Bevo still lives on, and that there have been so many other Longhorns that were in the same position as I am now, Freshman. All who have graduated and moved on with there lives, but burnt orange in their blood remains. Afterall, "a thing of beauty will never pass into nothingness" (pg. 167) and I believe that getting an education at such a great and close-knit community is a beautiful thing.

Cited: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bevo_(mascot)

Power Animal.

As someone who has been on the search for the essence of herself, I find myself very spiritually connected with nature as well as animals. I feel that we can find pieces of all the power animals within our nature. For example, this is why every human has both testosterone as well as estrogen, to maintain equilibrium. That is just a thought I came across while just beginning to read about "The Spiritual and Magical Roles of Nature" where the writer says that, "the natural and the supernatural merged and blended." (Pg.111)



When reading along, I reflected on the personal growth I have witnessed in myself. Our spiritual energies are constantly changing just like how we change clothes. This led me to believe that in our day to day interactions with others and encounters with situations, our power animals are a reflection on the energies at that present moment. However, this is just my belief.

The most important idea that I felt had power was when one of the example's power animal Owl reappeared to him and replied to him that "I can not stay while the heart is closed."(pg.116) It reminded me of a recent poem that I wrote about our thoughts and images in our mind. If we strive too hard to attain or become one with the power animal it will not be available for us. Therefore, what should happen is natural reflection of ourselves, and constant awareness of our actions and thoughts and "all the while keeping your mind open to whatever animals might choose to visit you on this journey" (Pg.122) While in my meditation/breathing exercises, I accept whatever thoughts might try to bring chaos to my mind, but realize that there is no need for attachment to the thoughts.

I guess sometimes you just have to be patient until you know which power animal will be right for you! Timing is everything.