Like you all, I’m a singer. And it hurts my heart not to be able to sing with my choir. But I’ve come to realize that singing isn’t the only way my voice can be powerful. So I thought I’d share some ideas you can use too, to let your voice be heard:
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Speak up for your community. This pandemic has thrown a lot of big issues into focus for many of us. Maybe there are things that you’ve never had to think about before, and now you want to make sure that people never forget them when this time of social distancing is over. There are issues that your leaders- your school administrator, your school board, your local and state representatives – should hear directly from you. Report back on what it’s been like to learn from home. Tell them about your access to technology, and that of your classmates. Ask about how they will handle your favorite elements of school next year, whether that be music class, PE, or social studies. Describe the green spaces near your home to your local representatives, or express how hard it may be for you to find green spaces that are safe to recreate in. What have you realized is important to you? Tell someone about it. Fight for it. I bet you’ll find other people who are passionate about the same stuff along the way.
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Articulate your goals. What’s your big dream? Think about it, write it down, and connect with someone who can help you make it happen. We don’t do anything truly on our own in life, so take this time to reach out to someone who can help lay a pathway towards your ultimate goal. Do some research and find the person out there that’s working on the thing you want to do someday too. See if they’ll answer some questions about how they started their own journey. Do you want to paint giant murals on the sides of buildings? Become an internationally touring opera singer? Study forest ecosystems? There are folks out there who want to help you do big things, and are happy to answer your questions. All you need do is ask. If you want help finding someone to talk to about your goals, let me know and I’ll try and connect you.
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Express your gratitude. I’m sure you know that a lot of people are working really hard right now. There are probably even people in your own family who are much busier than normal. Say thank you whenever you can. Make a card, or send a letter, or write an email. Whether it’s to your teacher who’s taken some extra time to walk you through a math lesson, or to the person making deliveries to your home, or to a healthcare worker, or to your mom- say thanks! It really does help.