"We must fight and win!"
What we must do is remember what's good and go back to the basics of building ourselves and each other up to become impeccable human beings. It's hard, no doubt, but in Japanese there's a saying that I remembered today when listening to a speech for one-year-from-now Junior High graduates from their career counselor teacher, 「大ピンチは大チャンス」 or "When there's a crisis, there's a big opportunity." In Japan, these last year JHS students have to choose, apply for and get interviewed for and tested into various high schools, public and private. They are facing a double challenge because they also have to deal with the travesty that is a COVID-19 reality.
At this time, Mr. Jinnai said to them, loosely paraphrased into English, "Your study period for the high school exams has already started. Study now! This is your moment. Make the most of it. You can stay home on non-school days because of the coronavirus (there is an alternating schedule of school attendance), so study for the tests or review for subjects that you struggle with. You can use this time to prepare for your future!"
Mr. Jinnai has my deepest respect as a realist and an optimist in these delicate times. I believe his message applies to all of us as well. We can do what we can to make our world, our small circles, safe, complete and invigorating. We can feed off of each other's energy to build our best selves. The bodies we were born with are just shells. Now is the time to truly, wholeheartedly build up our spirits! My spirit is intact! It is non-negotiable. And I want to make sure that the same is true for all of my family, my fellow teachers, my students and my community. Simple put, WE WILL WIN!
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