The New Normal

It’s August now. Which means back to — back to school, back to work, and back to life. Well, kind of.

We are going back, but to what exactly? We all have a “new normal” we are going back to. It is so interesting to see everyone, including myself, change to these new routines. We all have a new normal, essentially, and now we are all adjusting to all the changes.

To be honest, I am still a little sad about the new normal that we have. I miss being able to hug my friends and go inside restaurants without a mask. Though it is very hard not to be able to live my life as normal. I understand the importance of our new normal. That being said, there are many things that I have had to incorporate into my life as I get “back” to the “new normal.”

College — it’s one of the most important times for you to discover yourself. I am very excited to begin this new chapter in my life, but at the same time I am hesitant to throw myself into the experience. Everything is now so up in the air. No one really knows what is going to happen.

It’s the first time a college year will start under the “new normal,” and I am clueless about how it’s really going to work. It is scary, but I don’t want to miss out on starting the next part of my life.

So I will follow precautions and hope for the best. Because no matter what anyone says, it important that we continue to live our lives the best we can, while being as safe as possible.

Letter From The Editor | These Boots Are Made For Walkin’

“These boots are made for walkin’” Lee Hazlewood, as recorded by Nancy Sinatra I try not to offend anyone. Doesn’t make me feel good, and I’m certain it doesn’t make the other person feel good, so I see no value in it. But Ladonna is, for some reason, offended by my little black boots. The feeling is not mutual — they have never offered any opinion of Ladonna whatsoever. But she has had it in for my boots for well over a year. Ladonna: You need some new boots. me: Why? These are fine. Ladonna: Because you should have several pairs of nice boots. me: I only have one pair

Be Conscientious

“Infuse your life with action. Don’t wait for it to happen. Make it happen. Make your own future. Make your own hope. Make your own love. And whatever your beliefs, honor your creator, not by passively waiting for grace to come down from upon high, but by doing what you can to make grace happen … yourself, right now, right down here on Earth.” ~ Bradley Whitford April is the “Action” Issue. It is a little bittersweet for many, as we normally celebrate sports and sporting events in the spring. The weather is warmer, the flowers are in bloom — beauty is unfolding itself everywhere we turn. The outdoors beckons

Make Your Own Luck

Learn to B-Positive Have you ever wondered whether some folks are just flat-out lucky? Perhaps there are some who are wired differently? Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t — you’re right.” The following is a great example of this quote. One of my Sunday school buds told our class a story I will never forget. As a 17-year-old, Nicky entered Boot Camp. He said that he was petrified and had a sinking feeling of failure. He dropped to his knees and prayed, “Lord, I need help. Please send me a sign to help me survive Basic Training.” With bowed head, Nicky’s eyes

More Power To Your Elbows

It’s more British than American. And it likely originated as a toast. The phrase “more power to your elbows” meant you lifted your comrades up to continued good fortune, with many more celebrations to come (so their elbows would therefore be bent in many more celebratory toasts). But now, “more power to your elbows” is most often just said in recognition of a thing well done, with hope for even more successes. A sort of quirky wish for “good luck.” I am quite smitten with the phrase. But when it comes to traditions of good luck, I suspect most of us are more familiar with the “bending of our elbows”