As the coronavirus continues to affect everyone’s lives around the world, it also continues to alter plans in my life as well. Not only did it end my study abroad experience much earlier than expected, I also had set plans for a summer internship to help me gain new experiences in a field I have interest in developing a career in. Unfortunately, this past week my internship had been suspended for the summer and was no longer taking place. Initially it didn’t seem true. I could not believe that coronavirus was having such a great effect on the world that certain things and so much was being impacted. Our parents tell us to a make plans for your future, get involved, volunteer, and participate in internships for experience. I mapped it out as much as I could and everything began to fall into place. At almost in an instant, it all felt as if everything was swept out from under me. Through all of these events I have learned many things, but one that has stuck with me the most is to live in the moment because what has happened in the past is unchangeable and what is set to happen in the future is unpredictable. The world is changing and lives are lost, so we must hold onto the present and treat it as the gift it is.
Living in the moment is easier said than done. Depending on what you are doing at the moment, it can either remind you of something of the past, or it will bring ideas to your mind about the future. Enjoying that moment that you are currently living in can sometimes be one of the hardest things to do. For example, when experiencing the new area and regions I was continually reminded of places I have visited while at home. Only after a while did I remind myself I should fully take in the beauty of the new places I was visiting. I could remember after making my first trip to Paris, for a majority of the trip my friends and I had begun planning future places to visit when we had such a beautiful place in front of us that we were in. Beautiful moments can go by so quickly and we make plans to create more memories. Our current situation reinforces the importance of family, friends, being in the moment, and being flexible to roll with the changes of life.
From the beginning of the program all the way to this moment I have had life changing and once in a lifetime experiences. Both positive and negative, but experiences that I will remember forever. Through these times there are many new things for people to experience and learn. I think that people should look at the positives of the situation we are all in and continue to make the best of the moment.
Isaiah's Travels 