Magis

By Dr. Jonathan Lawrence, Contributing Writer

With midterms approaching, are you feeling stressed? Do you have so many things to do that the thought of adding anything else causes you to stress even more? You may even have tried to prioritize your to–do list so that you can do the most important things first, but what do you do when they all seem important?

The Jesuit concept of “Magis” or “More” may offer some guidance. Father John Bucki, SJ, who was the director of Campus Ministry when I came to Canisius, used to stretch out his arms wide and shout “Magis” when he welcomed new students to campus. He would then explain that even though talking about “more,” it could also add to our stress, feeling like we’re never enough or that we need to compare ourselves to others. If you listen to commercials and celebrities, we always need more — more money, more possessions, more status and success, more everything — and if we don’t have those things, there’s something wrong with us.

Magis takes the idea of more in another direction, trying to do our best, seeking to improve, looking for what is good and helpful to others, not just ourselves. These efforts could still lead to success and some of the other tangible markers of success, but they are a side effect of our efforts, not the most important goal.

Similarly, as you prepare for midterms, it is natural to be concerned about grades. Earning good grades got you into college, and you need to maintain your grades to stay in college and to pursue further studies after graduation. Even so, we are more than just our grades, and I know that in the long run, the ideas I learned in my classes have meant so much more to me than the grades I earned along the way — especially the bad grades.

A few years before I came to Canisius, I attended a summer conference for professors at a campground in Michigan. The camp slogan was “My Own Self, At My Very Best, All the Time.” I didn’t know much about the Jesuits at that time, but now it reminds me of what I’ve learned about Magis — focusing on our own actions, not those of others and seeking to do our best. The last part, “All the Time,” is a reminder that our continuing efforts are important. We may have some setbacks on the way, but we will have more future chances to adapt and improve.

Good luck in finals and keep seeking the Magis!