Thankfulness. We celebrate a whole day by giving thanks but it’s easy to take advantage of things you see every day. Growing up, I struggled with being grateful and was the typical kid who was considered “spoiled.” I was spoiled with a loving family, an abundance of clothes, all of the sports-watching my little heart desired, a great school district, and a life that most students in my position have had.

I grew up tackling my heart condition, I have had 5 open-heart surgeries and am due for another very shortly. I am grateful now for the things that have happened in my life because, without it, I wouldn’t be me. Not to get too personal, but throughout my freshman and sophomore years, I struggled with self-doubt like crazy.

Freshman year was tough with COVID and still reeling with personal events, all of this bled over into every aspect of my life. I had a great and happy childhood, but for the first time in my life, I was in a dark place. I dealt with having no confidence in myself or my abilities, my ADHD felt like it was handicapping me in ways where I let my vices control me and I felt more than stuck.

I had great people around me all this time and they would see glimpses of where I could’ve been and honestly, it was what kept the motor running. I remember talking to my teachers as Freshman year waned down and finally realized my situation. I had some teachers that would tell me my grade and hearing that back hurt my heart. Failed Spanish, barely passed Biology, and Honors Communications was a class that I loved and I couldn’t even maintain a C-average. I understood that I needed to do the work, but I physically felt blocked from achieving anything because of what I had put myself into.

I had begun sophomore year on the right note, starting DECA with my sister and genuinely enjoying things again. I had begun writing for the newspaper here and there through Intro [to Journalism] but hung around the wrong crowd. Getting myself into trouble and holding myself back enough to fail Geometry, but it was clear that things were getting brighter. I still struggled with my vices, but I had newfound motivation due to what I felt was “on the horizon.”

I had begun getting back to the things I was enjoying, researching politics, watching baseball, playing video games, and creating memories with people who I genuinely cared about. I had to deal with a new challenge that would plague my junior year but would make me stronger on the other end, my mother had gotten a job in New York and would not be around for the school year. The depression had come back for a while and it lingered for a little longer this time.

I was balancing this, with rigorous coursework, while trying to keep my head straight and continue moving forward. I understand that I am generalizing this period, but, it really was tough. I was reminded around this time by my therapist that the toughest things were in the past. He would ask questions such as, “Who else has had 5-open heart surgeries?” He has been instrumental in my mental state these days. Vaughn (sorry for name-dropping), you are the man.

After the school year, my mom came back and now resides closer to Pittsburgh, and with me getting my license on June 20, 2023, the timing could not have been better. I started researching brain science and looking into the self-help world. I understand the negative connotation that comes with it, but it was not the Andrew Tate’s of the world, it was Dr. Andrew Huberman. Huberman’s podcast “Huberman Lab.” The podcast dives into the Stanford professor’s interviews with famous scientists and other professors who would routinely dive into topics such as the effects of processed food, different drug effects on the brain, and how to improve overall cognitive function. I heavily endorse his podcast as it forced me to do more than just use my brain, but change my habits for the better.

They say senior year is the best year and those who subscribe to that belief are correct. It isn’t, for me at least, for the usual reasons. I have never been a better student, friend, and face for our newspaper. I have begun to practice gratitude and it has served me so well. I have been seeing life with a glass half full and it truly does wonders. Not everybody shares my experiences and in today’s climate, it is terribly difficult to focus on the positives at times. Life is so wonderful, it truly is worth experiencing every day to the fullest. Eat healthy or whatever mom or dad cooks, go outside and feel the sun’s effects, exercise to some capacity, smile, laugh, cry, just be human. Don’t let people tell you otherwise and if they try, put your headphones or earbuds in and ignore them.

‘The world would be a much better place if people treated one another with decency and respect.’ – Dick Vitale