Welcome to August, everyone! I can’t believe we’re already approaching back-to-school season, sports are returning, and lifted restrictions are enabling us to have a more normalized routine – as long as we social distance, sanitize, and use our masks. Who would have thought this is right where we would be at the end of the summer.

I was talking to a friend the other day and told her, “At least throughout this quarantine, we were given the time to learn ourselves better and figure out what we really want and need out of life.” She agreed and stated that it will help us succeed later on; we will be even more prepared to take on life’s curveballs after the trying year of 2020. The continuing COVID-19 pandemic has humbled me in ways my “old” life could never attempt to do. After reflecting on all of the hardships during the past few months, I’ve started to view each sour experience as a necessary lesson that will eventually serve a useful purpose in the future. By using this year as motivation, we can come out stronger on the other end.

Don’t get me wrong, it gets difficult some days … or most days. We’re locked in a point of constant reflection. Questions, ones you might ask or get asked often, start to feel like we have deja vu. “How are you doing?” “Have you gotten accustomed to this new era we’re living in?” “What do you miss about our ‘old’ lives?” Any answer at this point sounds like a broken record, and it’s a battle between staying positive or remaining negative.

Luckily, there are more things we can look forward to. For those of you who follow astrology, Mars is entering the sign of Aries, meaning new beginnings are amongst us, and from what I’ve seen so far, it’s proven to be true already! We can get excited again to watch a baseball or basketball game, eat food from our favorite restaurants (even if it’s takeout), or start the school year in whichever way your family decides. We’re easing into this unusual norm with fresh insight and a new outlook, which could prove to be very valuable.

To all the students, I wish you all the best in the new school year (and yes, that includes all the parents assisting with distance learning!). May we all stay safe and healthy as we get back on our feet month by month.