As we are bombarded with motivational speeches and activities, we don’t remember that many down the line
A full day of a literal emotional roller-coaster, a full day of confronting your own fears, and a full day with a full blast of encouragement and enlightenment. Right now, for most Challenge Day participants, including me, it feels like a rush of mixed, unexplainable emotion. But it is my second time going through Challenge Day and I can’t help but wonder why I forgot how it felt.
How many students remember last year’s motivational speaker, Keith Hawkins? We remember his jokes about butt lock and his wise cracks about freaking, but it wouldn’t be a bad bet to say not many remember his message. How many students remember “Every 15 Minutes?“ We remember the clear message, but the number of MVHS students who choose to abuse alcohol probably has not decreased significantly. How many motivational speakers and activities have come to our school truly affected the masses in the long-term?
Many adults throw things our way to help fix or change our lives, but look at how stubborn our generation is— we don’t remember them. It’s shameful that if asked one month after my first Challenge Day, I wouldn’t be able to recall the promises I made to myself that day, even the heartfelt one of being the change that stopped any form of oppression on this campus. People do forget, and this is not Challenge Day’s or Keith Hawkin’s or any other motivational speaker‘s fault.
Part of the reason why people forget the way they were moved during the experience is because time somehow conceals short-term emotions. A month after my first Challenge Day, I couldn’t remember how it made me bawl like a baby or how I had made the promise to this strange, compelling plan to spread love, compassion, and respect all across campus.
And now after the second time, I am, of course, reminded. But a month down the road, will I still remember to spread love, compassion, and respect all across campus?
Unfortunately, probably not.
Not because it was unsuccessful in the short term, but because for some reason, people are forgetful in the long term, by nature. Even though students commit to one whole day to absorb all the amazing and inspirational “Be the Change” beliefs, the emotions of that day will rarely exist a hundred days down the road.
It’s ridiculous to ask for this emotional reminder every month, so what possible solution could be provided to settle the problem of our forgotten personal commitment driven by a change of emotion?
Perhaps it’s simply a matter of not just acting, but acting immediately.
Perhaps it’s a matter of creating habits in ourselves now, rather than later.
Perhaps it’s a matter of not allowing time to conceal those short-term emotions.
I’m no expert, but maybe if we don’t hold off on letting the message affect our lives now, we won’t forget.
Easier said than done.
