Young NM Powrd Donna Hughes Gore

Depending on your age, you may or may not have heard the saying,'a penny for your thoughts.' Basically, it's a statement that's asking a question, "what are you thinking about?" We have so many thoughts during the average day, most of the time we barely recognize what is going on and rarely do we slow down or stop for self-reflection. But have you ever asked that question of yourself - a penny for your own thoughts? Have you ever taken time to not only evaluate your thoughts, but attempt to become the master of your thought life? Well, getting ahold of your thoughts takes practice - but it's essential for happy and healthy living.

I'm no Jennifer Hudson, but I can hold a tune. When my mother would hear me sing as a child, she was sure I shouldn't quit my day job. But whether through nature or nurture, I, alas found my voice. However, finding your voice in life can be even more challenging. And when it comes to caring for ourselves, sometimes our inner voices can seem really small, like a whisper, or even silent. But part of the self-care journey involves advocating for yourself. There will be bumps, tears, and slip ups along the way; but that's ok, just stay on the path - you'll be singing in no time!

Whatever the reasons, sometimes we may not always take the best care of ourselves. But life can be hard, really hard sometimes, even as a young person. You may have heard the saying, "age ain't nothing but a number." Well, stress has all our numbers! In this life, we all go through ups and downs. Right now, you might feel like stress is knocking on your door or trying to tear your house down! On the other hand, maybe you are skipping over rainbows. Whatever your current situation, learning how to prioritize your well-being (in good and bad times) is essential to your health and happiness! And that means taking care of Y-O-U!

During these past few years I often think back to how it was in 2018 - yes, even before 2019, the year some of us heard something about some disease that was affecting people somewhere in another part of the world. 2018 seems like such a long time ago. Even 2020 seems like the distant past. Yet here we are in 2022, and COVID is still upon us and anxiety is still in the air, causing stress for so many, including the youth. Yes, these are unprecedented times (something you've probably heard over and over). But if there's one good thing that this pandemic has brought to the forefront it is the attention to mental health; and that taking steps to care for our mental health is crucial and necessary for everyone, young people included.

Schools are spaces where learning takes place - hopefully. Teachers provide instruction and care to their students, and students engage in the process of learning by listening, studying, and participating. And parents and administrators give support to students through reinforcement and providing structure. Then there is another part of what goes on in schools that involves the many inherent relationships that are a part of the school dynamic. Specifically, when it comes to student peer relationships, they can often be challenging to navigate on a good day. But when you add in the effects of a pandemic, a certain level of drama is to be expected. Maybe you've asked the question, "what's with all the drama?" Well, if you can relate, just know you are not alone.

When we think of people who are making an impact in the world our minds often go to those we may see on TV, in the news - like a LeBron James or a Greta Thunberg. And while they, and many other visible individuals are doing great work, there are unseen change makers that go about their lives everyday making a difference in profound ways in their circles of influence. Are you one of those people making an impact? If not, get ready!