2020 has been an incredibly challenging year. Even amid these moments of change, disruption, and tragedy, we have an obligation to find perspective and search for the silver lining. This is critical if we are to guide our the generation to do the same.
At Catholic Memorial School, I have started each day by asking a few students to share one thing that they have learned from this pandemic. I record their answers on notecards that I carry with me. A few of their responses are below and read:
“I have learned to be an optimist. Even when things looked dark, the sun always rose, and I could always find a small blessing in my day.”
“I have learned to embrace and see the beauty of nature. My mom and I started going for walks during the pandemic at night. Since the world has slowed down, I learned to see how beautiful the night sky can be.”
“I remembered that fairness mattered. I learned to be a better older brother, to have patience, and to recognize that my family was so special to me.”
“I missed school and often took for granted this opportunity. I now know how hard my parents work to send me to school and how much I value this experience.”
“I learned that it can be hard focusing on a computer screen and how much better it is actually talking with a teacher. I have really come to value my relationships with the faculty.”
“Brotherhood matters to me. I love seeing my friends and just having small in-person interactions-- my jokes aren’t as funny on Zoom.”
“I learned to trust that God would provide for my family. It has been a really hard time for us, but it is getting better.”
These student reflections demonstrate keen insights, growth, and great promise for our collective future. No one would have guessed the speed required to adapt to this pandemic, and it will take time to uncover the full extent of its impacts on all of us. The distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine provides great hope and promise. How we proceed in this brave, new world will truly define us and this generation of students.
I have great faith in today’s youth and the positive impact that they will have on our world. Today’s students can learn much about themselves from these moments; however, they need dedicated time for conversation and reflection to gain perspective. They can also inspire us and help us to see the path ahead. This happens to me daily.
The students I work with express common themes of hope, resiliency, empathy, and compassion. Being intentional in helping this generation to embrace the right values and cultivate key virtues will be critical in guiding our collective future. The time our school devotes to reflection has been critical in helping our students make meaning from this pandemic.
During this holiday season, we all need to find time to reflect, gain perspective, and reprioritize our lives. While we all desire normalcy, we need to consider how to reprioritize our lives to best create our next, normal. There are many blessings and lessons that surround us, it is now more important, than ever before, that we pause and reflect upon them. Taking time to be present can help us to build a better post-COVID-19 world.
Dr. Peter F. Folan is the President of Catholic Memorial School in West Roxbury, MA