These last few weeks have been a whirlwind. As you prepared for the final semester before graduation, you had dreams and plans shattered in a moment. To go on a senior trip. To enjoy the last moments with classmates and teammates. To shoot that last basket or score the most goals on your last home game. To walk across the stage knowing you gave your last semester everything you had. This virus was not a part of that plan and this cancellation is not a vacation. It is a lot of "lasts" that slipped out of your hands. It is time lost with those who you have always seen in class and will not get to say goodbye. You may be anxious your senior season got cancelled never to be rescheduled. Your not sure if you will walk across the stage and get that degree you worked so hard for. It's okay. It's reality and it sucks. But the choice is yours: will you react in FEAR or respond in FAITH? This may be the first time you go deeper spiritually. This may be the first time you reach out to those people on your heart that you passed in the hallway. The chaos reveals your roots. In Jeremiah 17:8it says, "They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
See, the roots were planted before the tree. Where the roots were planted determined where the tree grew. If your roots are in the truth, your tree will grow with peace and love. If your roots are in fear and disbelief, your tree will grow panic and worry. Maybe its time to re-examine your roots.
In this time of uncertainty, here are some tips to my fellow seniors:
-Allow yourself to FEEL. Emotions make you human and confusion is okay.
-Those friendships are NOT canceled, check in with those people online who may need it. Side note: the strongest people you know still need a word of encouragement.
-Do NOT be moved by what you see.
-CARVE out time for other activities: that book that has been sitting on the shelf, pick it up. Pick up your Bible. Write. Color. Exercise at home.
-Take time to BREATHE.
-Continue to FIGHT for your dreams and PRAY for one another.
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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
StableDiffusion
Run Around Clanging Pots and Pans in Everyone's Face
StableDiffusionThis tradition is meant to drive away bad spirits of the past, but honestly, it's more like a free concert...your friends should really be paying you for your services if you decide to do this on New Year's Eve.
Eat the Last Few Pigs in a Blanket
StableDiffusionIt's been sitting there since what, 8:00? You snooze you lose, and besides, no one's paying attention to you anyway.
Pop Twelve White Grapes
StableDiffusionIf you were in Spain, everyone would be doing just this. One grape for every month of the year. It's supposed to be lucky and stuff.
Burn Something
Photo by Ian Schneider on UnsplashIt's really not that odd-- families in Ecuador burn scarecrows every year on New Year's Eve. It's a symbol of diminishing the negativity of last year. Perhaps preform this one outside though, just to be safe of course.
Smash Things Against a Wall
Photo by Lidye on UnsplashWe can thank the Irish for this bright idea, they use bread specifically though. Who knows why this is a tradition, but it certainly seems like it could be incredibly soothing, don't you think?
Spontaneously Begin an Irish Jig
Photo by Melissa Askew on UnsplashThis isn't lucky or symbolic of anything, but it'll give you something to do at the stroke of midnight and you'll look god damn cool doing it.
Call Your Mother
rotary telephone
Photo by Vinicius "amnx" Amano on UnsplashWell, she did give birth to you. Midnight on New Year's Eve seems as good a time as any to thank her.
Throw a Coffee Table Out a Window
Photo by Kinga Howard on UnsplashAccording to South African tradition, it doesn't necessarily have to be a coffee table. It could be a futon, an ottoman, an armoire, really any piece of furniture that's old. It's for luck of course.
Sing "Auld Lang Syne" at the Top of Your Lungs
Photo by Chang Duong on UnsplashChannel your inner Beyonce, or Mariah, or whoever your Pop Star Diva Queen is and belt that tune. It'll be fantastic mood music.
Do Some Squats
Photo by Meghan Holmes on UnsplashMay as well start the New Year off by working on your inevitable resolution to drop some pounds. Why waste a single moment, you're likely forget the resolution by February anyway.
Swan Dive into a Nearly Freezing Body of Water
Photo by Brayden Prato on UnsplashAnother foreign tradition, this one is practiced by Germans. The kick of it is, you've got to do it while holding a lit torch. Again, who knows why this is a tradition, but its certainly sounds like a fun little challenge to ring in the New Year.
Take a Shot
Photo by Duri from Mocup on UnsplashAnd by shot, naturally I mean a snapshot. Perhaps a group photo, a selfie, or even an unfortunate snipe of your best friend. You'll feel loads better knowing you'll have something to always remember the first moments of 2025 by.
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