New Year, New You | THE VIRAL Journal, Part 37
By Josh Jennrich
In our current ‘covid’ times, I can totally grasp why so many folks I speak with are finding it challenging to stay optimistic and find a hopeful outlook in their every daily lives. People just seem to be a bit less patient, a bit less hopeful, and a bit less happy. What has happened to the good times and when will they be back?
I think we’re in a tough time where we can all relate to each other. it’s definitely harder to stay positive when we’re stuck in our homes, when some of our favorite local business are closed or being shut down, when we lose hours at the job that puts food on the table, when we’re behind another month on another bill, or when we’re sick of our glasses fogging up from wearing these silly masks we’re being told to wear. For many, this list may seem even more endless. As you read through this post today, my hope is to bring you a small amount of optimism and hope that one day very very soon, our lives will get back to having a bit of the normal that we remember and the normal that we loved and will never take for granted again! Right?!
It’s been a LONG summer this year for the school kids. It’s probably been a pretty unique and different feeling one at that. I admire the parents, the students, and the faculty for throwing together an abnormal ending to this last school year, but getting through it succinctly and formerly. Getting through it TOGETHER! Heading into this years new school year, it’s going to take a lot of that same patience and teamwork that got everyone through the ‘Covid Class of 2020.’
As a proud supporter of positivity, patience, and goodness in my own everyday life, I wanted to use this platform to send some of my optimism your way, and a few tips you can use in your own routine and pass along to your student as they head into a new school year.
Be patient. Whether it’s with your learning platform, your teacher, a ‘nerdy’ student asking questions or your family member teacher. Remember that you are all in this together and patience will get you further than stressing all year long.
Respect Our Elders. As a student, athlete, and human, I was always taught to respect anyone that was older than me, to always look them in the eyes, and hear what they have to say. Your elders have been around longer, are wider, and might have some good advice once you decide to listen.
Be Positive. School might be a bit different this year, and it may not be your favorite. Focus on what you can control. You can control keeping a positive attitude and focusing on your goals.
Love Thy Neighbor. Treat each and every human that you meet and confront the same exact way that you expect to be treated. This will get you a long way.
Be Kind. Try your best not to judge other students. If you see a student struggling, help them out. If you see a student without many friends, introduce yourself. Always support your teachers, fellow students, and community no matter what.
Be Your Best. Simply that. Stay focused on learning. Complete your assignments and study for your tests. Remember, knowledge is potential power and provides you value as you continue through school toward your eventual future. Every teacher appreciates the kid that does their absolute best whether they fail or succeed. It’s only failing if you choose not to learn from your mistakes.
All of the suggestions I listed above are actionable, they can be done by anyone, and they are all things that we can control. Just like anything we inspire to do in life, they take consistency and they take action in order to do and to do well. Lead by example and watch others follow!
For Goodness Sake,
Josh
>Share Josh’s state of mind? Be resolute in a BE YOUR BEST ShirtBOARD.
Our e-journal documents the COVID-19 pandemic from our viewpoint within our community. In the short-term, we hope it promotes connectivity and contrast within our shirtBOARD network. In the long-term, we hope it gives timely interpretations of the event to provide insight and understanding for future generations.
