We’ve been home now for over a month. School from home has become the new normal as we try to protect ourselves from the virus. Some students even remark that they’ve lost their sense of time, even what day it is. Easter came and went, and mass could not even be attended in person. It’s easy to sink into a pessimist mindset and focus on what is going wrong in the world, but I challenge you to do as other Patriots have done, and “See the Good” in this situation.

Think back to when school was in session. The first word that comes to mind is “busy.” As high schoolers, we’re given the opportunity to try multiple activities, sports, and clubs while simultaneously balancing a challenging list of courses to narrow down what we would like to pursue in the future. Some students spend more than ten hours at school each day during certain seasons and then more time at home doing homework. That’s a lot. Yet now that we are quarantined in our homes, we can use this time to slow things down and focus on the big picture.

My family loves to keep busy. It wasn’t until this coronavirus broke that I realized how rare it is for each member of the family to be available at the same time. We had always done things in twos or threes rather than all six of us. Because everyone is home with little to do other than school work, we have been brought together. We listen to each other more; we ask more questions to learn more about each other, and we even go on runs together. These little things have made me even more thankful for my family and our safety as we follow the orders from Governor Hogan.

Now is the time to pick up the book you’ve been meaning to read, or to pick up the guitar you’ve been meaning to learn. It’s the perfect time to start a project at home that one normally wouldn’t have the time to do during school. This mandatory break can be refreshing and productive if done correctly.

In quote from a previous Patriot article, JC History Teacher and Head Baseball Coach Mr. Darrion Siler advised students to wake up early, meditate, and create a routine. By waking up early and establishing a routine, a sense of normalcy is created and one can then be productive. According to Forbes Magazine, consistent practice of meditation can actually “change the brain in seven ways,” including the ability to potentially reduce anxiety.

Treat this break as a time to focus on yourself, family, and friends. Try something new and put this time to good use.

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