Look at it This Way

As we inch closer to May and with the declaration that schools may be out for the year, many seniors are facing the reality that they will miss many traditional senior rites of passage like proms, dances, graduation ceremonies and graduation parties. Seniors, I have great compassion for you. You’ve worked to get to this point only to have a virus cheat you out of the grand prize. No matter how you slice it, that stinks. At the same time, I hope to encourage you to use this disappointing loss as part of potentially lifechanging lessons.

First, life ain’t fair. Seniors, you all got a raw deal. You did. As you pack up for college, entrepreneurship, the military or your parent’s basement, buckle up: There’s much more of this coming. I wish I could tell you your bosses will all be great, your businesses will never hit a rough patch or all your relationships are going to be golden. What I will tell you is you will encounter troubles in life that aren’t your fault, but they are still your problems. Coping skills, perspective and Blue Bell ice cream go a long way here. Be careful with that Blue Bell ice cream. That didn’t work out that well for me.

Next. The disappointment you feel is largely felt by us westerners. There are students in other parts of the world that don’t do proms, parties and all the senior festivities. They are most fortunate for an opportunity to pursue education and graduate. They don’t have many of the creature comforts we take for granted like running water, supermarkets, cell phones and jeans that are ripped on purpose. Find something for which you are grateful.

Remembering how blessed we are might lessen the sting of no senior activities.

Finally, a great antidote to disappointment is to do something kind for someone else. Is there something you can do to make someone else smile? A handwritten letter to a relative? A plan to donate the prom dress you never got to wear? A grocery run for an elderly or disabled neighbor or that mom with 3 kids under the age of 5? Social distancing limits a lot of what we can do, but we can knock on a neighbor’s door, stand back and check in on them.

Seniors, I am sorry you all got robbed of your senior activities. I trust all of you will get over the disappointment and proceed down your respective paths. You will hit bumps along the way. No worries, after this, you are ahead of the game.

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