“What is learned here, leaves here. What said here, stays here.”

Throughout orientation, our orientation counselors constantly reminded us of this lesson. We were to apply what we had learned in the 4 days of orientation to the outside world, while maintaining a sense of trust with our peers. The Villanova Class of 2021 was blessed to have Steve Gross, a motivational speaker from Life is Good®, come talk to us about what is means to be optimistic. Throughout his speech, he taught us six fundamental points on how to truly stay optimistic in this world of turmoil.

My sister died by suicide in January of 2016. My life was completely shattered and not many of my friends stayed around to pick up the pieces. I had to fend for myself in a time when I didn’t even know how I would possibly live another day. I persisted though. I carried myself through each day. But, I wasn’t living life. I was wasting days sitting around not interacting and not eating food. That’s when I got to Villanova. I learned more about myself and about life in a week here than I did in 18 years at home. It’s the change that moved me. I knew I couldn’t just sit around, glum all day. Steve’s speech jump started my new outlook on life.

Steve taught us that we have to take risks in life. Tell your boss that she isn’t paying you fairly. Tell your professor if they are going over the slides too fast. There wouldn’t be much excitement in life if everyone always played it safe. Sometimes, those risks are going to come with a few negative effects though. When that happens, Steve told us that we have to remember why we took the risk in the first place. That way our thoughts on the actual situation will turn positive. His words brought me to tears when he told us that forgiveness is a key ingredient to an optimistic life. Those who don't know how to forgive, may not ever know the true meaning of happiness. And finally, he told us to look to children for pure happiness. They should be our real role models in life. They can turn any bad situation into a great one.

I truly believe that Steve Gross changed my life forever. I hope someday those of you who need his words like I did, will be able to hear them.