There have been many times over the years when I have had to work incredibly hard to keep my faith and believe in better things yet to come. Honestly, it has not always been easy. Faith is not always our natural state of mind. It takes great courage and constant focus to trust in the bigger picture of all things. Interestingly enough, it has not even been our global landscape or worldly pandemic that has challenged me to stay focused on my own experiences and knowing. It has been the little day-to-day more personal challenges that really have the potential to bring me to my knees, want to throw in the towel, and completely give up not only on my own journey but the potential of a more peaceful global existence forever etched within my mind.

That was yesterday (okay, it was about an hour ago). But my newfound faith came from observing the school year as it begins to unfold. In fact, I literally and unexpectedly sobbed out loud this morning while thinking about all the brave students, teachers, and parents both young and old, forging forward. It was in that moment that I realized if a grade one student could dig deep and learn to adapt and embrace the changes before them, then damn it, so could I. In fact, believing in our individual and collective potential to transform into the next stage of our evolution is paramount. And yes, we are ready.

There are certainly many changes out there this fall. For some, the new school year means learning at home and bravely taking on their own education. For others it means putting on a brave face, even if it is behind a mask, to courageously walk back into hallways and classrooms eager but anxious to be back.

The world right now may feel the uncertainty and fear that comes with this global year of transformation, but to me I see the next generation of change makers, leaders, educators, innovators, forward thinkers, higher conscious advocates, humanitarians, and strong members of our communities heroically stepping up to the plate to both prepare themselves and this world for better things yet to come.

This season of change will most certainly go down in the history books of all time. Feel the fear, acknowledge the uncertainty, but do please also see the higher truth of our current situation. We are not enduring our personal challenges or a global pandemic. We are meeting them head on and rising above them not just to survive but to find new pathways, understandings, and plans of action towards an expanded global awareness.

I salute all teachers, students, and parents who are courageously breaking trail. Thank you for not only providing newfound faith towards my own journey, but more importantly for nurturing and stimulating the hearts and minds of our next generation of global change makers. We see and believe in you.

All my love,

Lauren Heistad