It’s been a rough week.
The spring semester is beginning to wrap up and most of us have exams and projects to focus on, but our thoughts and hearts are in Boston, in West, Texas, and in Cambridge, Mass. This week brought words to our headlines and images to our screens that we all dread: death tolls, active shooters, blood spilled on American streets and shaky videos of explosions, replaying over and over. This week made many of us question, once again, who could have the desire to kill so many — who could harbor that kind of hatred. This week shook our confidence and tested our resolve, and for some reason, that stubborn sun just kept hiding behind rainclouds, too.
This week was difficult, in many ways. But this weekend is an opportunity to take some time and appreciate what we have.
Friday is a big day for MU. Tap Day, which will be held at 2 p.m. in Jesse Hall, is a chance to celebrate some of our university’s greatest treasures and brightest stars. We urge you to join us there and watch MU’s six secret societies reveal their new initiates. It’s a fun and meaningful tradition, more than 85 years old and a fantastic expression of the sense of community on this campus. So come out and watch. Take this weekend to find yourself some spirit.
Spend your weekend doing something you enjoy, with people you enjoy spending time with. It will be easy to let yourself continue to drown in the constant feeds of news — the search for suspects in Boston, the search for bodies in West, the search for sanity in Washington. But all of us deserve a break from the bad news, the despair and the anger. Take this weekend to find yourself some peace.
Put down the phone, turn off the TV and shut the laptop. Resist the temptation to surround yourself with graphic images and videos from this week’s tragedies. Focus on what’s around you, what brings you joy and contentment. For some, it is family and friends; for some it is faith; for others, it is simple solitude. Enjoy the sunshine. (We hope there will be sunshine.) Take this weekend to find yourself some happiness.
Remember that in the midst of all the chaos and pain that flashed across our screens this week, resilience, bravery and selflessness were ever-present as well. Strive to emulate that in your attitude — consider donating to the Red Cross to help those in such desperate need. Acknowledge that many around you may seem ignorant, but don’t let that blunt your spirit or deter your resolve. Don’t let emotions get the best of you. If you’re angry, find a way to channel it and let it out. If you are sad, don’t be ashamed to seek help. If you are scared or fearful, remember the basic human resilience that has brought us through so much. Take this weekend to find yourself some courage.
There have been worse weeks before and there will be worse weeks in the future. We at The Maneater know that we are surrounded by an incredible community of people. This week has reminded us the importance of spirit, peace, happiness and courage. We’ll be spending time this weekend in pursuit of these things, and we suggest you try to do the same.
