A message from our Chancellor, Shirley Horn

I suggest that we begin to reframe COVID-19 from a crisis into an opportunity; consider that in a little while from now, we will say, “wow”- I am glad we came out of this. When we are thinking about opportunities versus crisis, we know we can ignite a spark within ourselves.

I urge all of you to think about COVID in this way: what has this situation done for us as people? It has taken many of us back to the basics- we have to look after ourselves. This is an exceptional opportunity for people to get closer to their families, and to pay attention to how they are living their lives. People need to focus on their personal well being and consider the impact this pandemic has had on those around them. We need to come together and do something spectacular to rise out of this.

Let’s take this opportunity to get in touch with ourselves, learn about ourselves, each other, our family, our country, and our world. I look forward to what will come from this. What will we do to change our habits? How can we help to clean up those places that are clogging our brains.

Survival is an attitude. How are you going to handle this? Will you let it overrun you? I say, turn the plate over. There is always another side – obstacles versus opportunities. Trust me, there will be many opportunities. That is my life in those few words. I can remember always doing that; turning the plate over and finding the opportunity. It’s a gift that I was given from the Creator. It makes me emotional thinking that as I think of the challenges that I have overcome; this ability to turn obstacles into opportunities is a great gift; a wonderful gift. We can all have this gift if we focus on moving forward in a positive direction. This is how we serve each other, how we serve humanity; looking for the gift of goodness […] the goodness that will last. The human race needs that. Every so often, through history, we live through crisis. We always manage to get through these; hopefully a richer mindset for the planet, for the community, for ourselves, for humanity […] that’s what I see.

To view video messages from our gramma’s and grampa’s, please view our Taking Care of Each other During COVID-19 playlist on Youtube.