Time waits for no human. Living in the future can bring up feelings of anxiety and living in the past can bring up feelings of depression or guilt. So why do so many feel like living in the present is unbearable? In fact, 1 in 5 Americans struggle with mental health, according to navhope.org.
Last weekend, the WVU family lost a member. It’s hard to reach out to others when you feel like you’re drowning, but remembering we’re all human is important.
In a time during COVID-19, going to college has been a bigger challenge anyone could have anticipated. Feeling isolated and alone, those Zoom classes aren’t exactly as inclusive or engaging as some would hope. So, how do we reach out to each other?
I want everyone to know one act of kindness sparks another. It may be hard to come out of a shell society has put you in. Even if things are opening up, we’ve been quarantined for so long it’s hard to feel things are “normal” again, or even hard to meet and talk to new people when the last year has been structured around social distancing. But social distancing doesn’t have to mean social exclusivity.
This week, I hope we can stretch an arm out to someone. If you’ve never introduced yourself to your neighbor, say hello. In the wake of recent events, I think it is a good time to talk about the importance of being kind. It can make a difference you will never see.
A couple weeks ago, I was having a terrible time. The Panda Express in the Mountainlair has just opened, so I decided to put on some real-people clothes and go out. Mind you, I waited in line for an hour, but was determined to get some orange chicken.
The lady who helped me check out started a small conversation with me. It was so nice. The only people I had talked to recently were my parents. She made my entire day, complimenting me on my aesthetic and relating me to Ms. Frizzle from “The Magic School Bus.” In less than 5 minutes, I was feeling more joy than I had felt that entire month. It made me feel so good just to be noticed.
When you think about how much you’re struggling, remember there is always someone around the corner looking for a friend, someone to make a difference just like you. Open the door for someone you see coming in behind you. Pay for someone’s meal. If you see someone wearing something cute, say something. It’s easy to drown in your own headspace. So it’s important to realize people need people.
As WVU mourns, remember that we’re all here for each other, to impact each other’s lives in a positive and kind manner. Being there for each other could make a difference you never realized. Be the Panda Express employee you were meant to be. She made my day, and I only hope to make a difference in others’ days as well.
