Not a Punishment, Just a Pause by Romy Nunez, Class of 2020

This is how I see COVID-19: not a virus but a lesson, not a holdback but a pause to catch up. And not "the worst thing that has happened to me," but instead as an eye-opener. As humans, we tend to live life in a hurry and lose sense of the most essential pieces of this big puzzle we call life. The business of working on ourselves--growth. Tell me, when was the last time you truly had time for yourself? I bet you can't think of a precise moment, right? Many are saying that this virus has ruined our lives because we can't go outside and socialize. Yes, of course, this caught us off guard. But we cannot look at this whole thing as a "punishment." You have to change your mindset. The inability to go outside is an opportunity to catch up on sleep, discover a new hobby, or do any of those million things you were always too busy to start. For example, what if you took this time to learn a language that has always appealed to you. 

Have you taken time to read about what's going on with this home of ours since we've been away, and by our home, I mean this planet? Earth has been reported as cleaner and more hospitable to animals since factories are closed and fewer people are out to litter. Animals have been spotted thriving in surprising areas. These living creatures are less afraid to exist and roam since humans are not taking up all the space. Earth and animals are finally taking a well-deserved break from all the toxicity that we impose on them. So we should take a break, just the same. This virus has been a lesson to all humans in other ways as well. Before this, most of us wouldn't worry about being sick around others or prioritizing our hygiene-- washing our hands for at least 20 seconds, taking care of the world we live in not only for ourselves but for those around us. These lessons may seem small but are pretty important. Make no mistake, COVID-19 has not been easy. That's not what I am saying. But it has definitely brought more than just "punishment" to humans. The more we listen to scientists and doctors, the faster we will understand what we're dealing with and get back to something like before. My advice: when you notice yourself being negative on a loop and not seeing anything else, make yourself see the goodness. They say God gives His toughest battles to the strongest soldiers. He won't let His children fall. Stay strong, positive, and healthy. Together we will rise from this.