Written by: Eli Coker
At the beginning of Frozen 2, Anna gives Olaf these words of wisdom, “Some things never change.”
So why do things feel so different right now?
Every day our world changes–scientists make discoveries, babies enter the world, trees lose their leaves. We expect the little changes that come with everyday life, but all of a sudden, big changes seem to interrupt everything.
As Olaf says, “Everything has done nothing but change.”
Now, we do school at home, activities at home, eat at home, parents work at home– everything happens at home. We hear new terms like “virtual class” and “social distancing.” Change prevails, and Anna’s words, “Some things never change,” feel far from the truth.
In a time where we feel confused and likely a little bored, let’s look at some things in our lives that have not changed.
Most importantly, our families love us very much and want us to stay safe, healthy, and happy. It may feel frustrating to not see our friends at school, or go out to eat at our favorite restaurant, but our parents show their love by protecting us and keeping us safe. It may feel annoying to do schoolwork when you want to play with toys or watch a movie, but our parents keep us healthy by making sure we keep our brains active. Sometimes siblings or parents get frustrated when they stay in the house together for a long time, and that can make us nervous or upset. Stay patient and know that our families love us. That does not change.
The ability to choose our words and actions remains our own. When cooped up with the same people for long periods, our tempers shorten. We have the power to choose kindness and understanding. We can share our toys with our sibling that feels sad or bored. We can follow directions from our parents to show how much we trust them. We can reach out to others who need a smile. We have the power to brighten someone else’s day. We choose how our thoughts translate to words and actions. When we feel scared or bored, sometimes we act out. We have the power to instead decide to voice our feelings and ask for help. We always have the power to choose kind words and actions.
As our world continues to change, we can find peace in the constants and take the opportunity to grow and find out more about ourselves.