Last Monday, Jan. 22, was Blue Monday – the most depressing day of the entire year according to many psychologists. Researchers point to several factors as playing key roles in making this particular Monday the bluest of all, most notably winter weather, failed New Year’s resolutions and credit card debt.
Here at the University, we’re fighting our own share of depressive elements: tolerance for that arrogant professor, a growing pile of schoolwork or a messy roommate are all pushed to the limit in the monotonous vacuum that is winter term.
But I’m staying positive this winter. After all, Valentine’s Day is coming up, and I’m in love. Sure, the girl of my dreams lives 200 miles away, and she probably doesn’t love me back, and she could easily be making out with a man much older and better looking than myself at this very moment. But true love conquers all, right?
That may not have been the best example. Tattered love life aside, there are plenty of things to keep me thinking positively. I’m an ambitious, glass-half-full journalism major, and my hard work has paid off with this gig at the Emerald. Finally, my dream of telling people what I think will be realized. Thousands of people – students, adults and transients alike – will open their Emeralds and read what I have to say. My voice will be heard.
But will anyone really care? How many of you can remember what yesterday’s commentary was about? Will my words resonate with the same allure as a crisp, unsolved Sudoku, just begging to be solved mere pages away?
What should I expect, though? This is college, not The New York Times. I’ve got to pay my dues just like everyone else. Work hard today and reap the benefits tomorrow. That’s my philosophy, and it leads me to my next point of positivism: the future.
People often accuse younger generations of having lost touch with their values. They say that times have changed, and the “good ol’ days” are gone for good. These people are old and bitter because they’ll be dead soon. I for one embrace the challenges facing our ever-changing world. As an aspiring journalist, I look forward to the duties of giving the people their news and keeping the political system open and honest. Maybe I’ll uncover the next Watergate.
Although with corporate influence in government at an all-time high, and twenty-four hour news networks keeping us updated any time a Congressman sneezes, the market for scandals and scandal coverage seems cornered. This is all assuming, of course, that the terrorists haven’t killed freedom by then. And global warming hasn’t depleted the ozone layer. And globalization, combined with a massive influx of illegal immigrants, hasn’t triggered a working class revolt leading to class warfare and full-blown revolution, which by then will be pointless without an ozone layer or freedom.
But I digress. It’s my birthday next month. Birthdays are chock-full of positive feelings. I’ll be turning 20 years old – the big two-zero, all of my fingers and all of my toes. But what does that mean? My driver’s test was a long time ago, and the glamour of democracy, cigarettes and porn has worn thin. I can go to Iraq or Afghanistan, but I can’t buy a beer. Now that I think about it, being 20 is going to suck.
I hope we’ve all learned something here. Times might be tough, but staying positive can go a long way toward putting a skip back in your step. Whether it’s lost love, feelings of insignificance, concern for the future, or the woes being a minor during wartime, just keep looking on the sunny side. While you’re doing that, I’ll be looking into prescription antidepressants.
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