Endure Series 3/5: Gratitude Goes a Long Way

3.) Be Thankful!

Here our teammate Josh discusses how he stays thankful and hopeful for the future!

The old saying goes “If you love something, set it free.” Sometimes, however, what you love is taken from you. When Gene Block announced in a campus-wide that spring quarter 2020 was going to be online, I, like many, reacted with a mixture of anger, sadness, and resignation. However, absolutely everyone was uncertain about the future. We had all been hearing about the spread of COVID-19 in other countries, but never expected it to reach us. Just like that, most of us decided to return home, leaving behind crowded classrooms, dirty dorms, and plenty of memories.

In this current reality, we know that most of us won't see our friends in-person for at least another four months. We won't be able to feel that feeling of walking to the dining halls for a while. We won't be harassed by Andre (that guy on Bruin Walk) for a while. Who knows when we'll be able to sit comfortably in a lecture hall again without worrying about who's coughing next to us. It may be hard to look back, but right now, it's all we have.

Explicitly being thankful for the special people in your life is usually reserved for Thanksgiving, but now would also be a good time. Reach out to those who made your moments at UCLA special, whether they be classmates, roommates, friends, or maybe even a professor or two.

 Photo: Marching Band Picture Day!

We will all see each other again, eventually. Until then, be thankful for what you had, and what you will have in the future.