The future could be phenomenal. It could also be a complete failure. This is our decision; your decision. Will we work together to relieve pollution, global warming, and how judgmental we as people can be to other citizens in society? Or will we keep the world how it is, or possibly make it worse?
Illustrations by Roxie Nichols
Because currently, the CO2 levels are way too high. Sea levels are rising, and while that may benefit some species, it makes it nearly impossible for some other species to survive; I mean, consider how the polar bears are doing.
Let’s think about the positives of the future. If we can think about what we do before we act – like don’t throw that Mt. Dew plastic bottle into the garbage – and instead recycle, compost, and persist, the future could look bright. If we accept each other and cooperate, we could live in harmony, in a beautiful world that’s good for all human beings. We could make sure that we aren’t driving everywhere. We could walk, bike… possibly even roller skate, for Pete’s sake, to places that we can get to without a car.
Lots of companies are making electric cars now, too, which are much better for the CO2 levels. Our air could be so much cleaner. Hopefully other companies go along with this brilliant idea and lower the price of these vehicles so people can afford them. I for sure do not want to grow up and live in a world that isn’t healthy or sustainable to be living in. I pray that we are able to shape this world into a better place before it turns out to be too late.
If we don’t work together to build a better world, a better life for us and our future generations, this globe and future we have carefully put together, piece by piece, could dissolve into a trillion pieces. Literally and figuratively. These gas levels, global warming, sea levels, and anything you could think of will tear our civilization as we know it apart, and eventually, it won’t look good for us and devastating things could happen to animals, plants, and our environment.
This future we have could be phenomenal. It could also be a complete failure. This is our decision. So, make it a good one.
Gabbi TerBeest
Gabbi TerBeest is a sixth grader at Decorah Middle School (Spring 2025). She’s passionate about many things, including food, (especially tacos,) reading, music… and writing!
Editor’s Note: Wanting to give the next generation an opportunity to share their voices, we have expanded the Future Focused section of Inspire(d) to include new writers! Partnering with Dana Hogan, the Extended Learning Program teacher at Decorah Middle School, we offered up a variety of prompts like, “What are your predictions for the future?” “What do you wish adults understood about you?” and also shared the Spring 2025 issue’s theme of tackling challenges and facing fears. Students submitted work, did edits, and three were chosen for this print issue of Inspire(d). Check them all out here!Here’s to Listening to the Next Generation!
What do you wish adults would understand about you?
Anya Volkmann to Adults:
I want adults to understand that dad jokes aren’t as funny as they think Using our Gen Z language isn’t cool That when they say words like rizz and pookie They aren’t being funny
I wish adults understood that when we stay in our rooms all day It’s not because we are staying away from them Not because we are mad I mean sometimes it is But sometimes we just need quiet
Illustration by Roxie Nichols
I wish adults understood that school is crazy It’s stressful Sometimes we want to just go home and take a nap But we have after-school activities
I wish adults understood that for some of us, sports are a world And for some, they aren’t even something we do But we get teased for how we play How we do It’s not fair
But in the end, life isn’t fair. And there are so many things I wish adults knew But there are so many things adults actually do know, too In fact, the adults in my life have taught me most of what I know today Like the golden rule How I should act Treat others Have a positive attitude Be myself And so much more So in the end, Thank you adults for everything you taught me
Anya Volkmann
Anya Volkmann is a seventh grader at Decorah Middle School. She loves riding horses, playing basketball, playing soccer, and hanging out with her friends. She loves to stay busy with her little free time.
Editor’s Note: Wanting to give the next generation an opportunity to share their voices, we have expanded the Future Focused section of Inspire(d) to include new writers! Partnering with Dana Hogan, the Extended Learning Program teacher at Decorah Middle School, we offered up a variety of prompts like, “What are your predictions for the future?” “What do you wish adults understood about you?” and also shared the Spring 2025 issue’s theme of tackling challenges and facing fears. Students submitted work, did edits, and three were chosen for this print issue of Inspire(d). Check them all out here!Here’s to Listening to the Next Generation!
Spring brings a promise of nature awakening. Migrating birds reappear, bees start buzzing their wings, and germinating seeds begin to stir.
And as the days grow warmer and longer, some humans become more energized too. The prospect of blue skies and blooming flowers brightens our moods. The heightened energy generates excitement, and we start to plan for positive change.
Yet for others, the new energy can feel jarring. Life ramps up, as does a sense of overwhelm. Change can signal fear, especially if we have a habit of expecting the worst. Even if we chastise ourselves for letting our worries or fears overcome us, we can’t seem to escape the pattern of doom-and-gloom.
If the latter sounds like you, you’re not alone. The good news? Your mindset is never set in stone. Even if you don’t believe it (yet), there are better days ahead.
The Worst (and Best) Case Scenario
You can take solace in the fact that there’s a very good reason your mind gravitates toward negativity: Your brain is not designed to make you happy. Your brain is designed to keep you alive. It is primed to scan the environment for danger… and when danger is not immediately present, it tends to create it.
Many people live with worry on constant circulation. Our brains ruminate because we want to feel in control. Worriers often believe that rehearsing for the worst (sometimes most unlikely) scenario can help us better prepare for it. However, that is often not the case.
Worry chases you down a dark alley of repetitive thinking and fear. That “worst-case-scenario” keeps you trapped there, over something that will likely never come to pass.
Here’s how you get out: Ask yourself, “And then what?” What happens if your worst-case-scenario comes to fruition? Let your brain find a solution. Maybe more than one. Continue asking yourself, “And then what?” until you feel a sense of completion.
Once you’ve finished working through your worry, the job is not done. Now, you need to ask yourself another very important question: “What’s the best that could happen?”
That worst-case-scenario shouldn’t get to live rent free in your head. Make room for a best-case-scenario and see what happens when you decide you deserve the best possible outcome.
Self-Fulfilling Prophecies
Do you tend to think humans are altruistic and compassionate by nature? If so, when you look around, you’ll likely find examples of humans going the extra mile to care for one another. Think the opposite? You’ll find plenty of folks who seem to show the worst of humanity.
This phenomenon is often referred to in psychology as “confirmation bias.” Whatever you expect to happen will likely happen. Our minds are conditioned to look for experiences that confirm our beliefs about others and the world.
The good news is that a confirmation bias is not fixed. We can work to train our brains to become more optimistic using a positive psychology idea called “learned optimism,” developed by American psychologist Martin Seligman, PhD.
Start by identifying times when confirmation bias is causing you to see the worst in a situation. Once identified, you can try putting positive thinking strategies in place. Mindfulness, gratitude, and positive self-talk are all tools that can help shift your mindset toward greater optimism.
Think about the last time you felt optimistic or connected to others. What was your mindset during that time? What allowed you to see the best in the situation? Try to replicate that mindset by practicing what you did at that time. If you aren’t sure, implement one of the positive thinking strategies from the list above, or create your own.
It’s important to remember that learning to be more optimistic requires insight and repetition. At the outset, it will require effort. Over time and with practice, though, your brain can learn to automatically adopt a more positive mindset.
Embrace ‘What Is’ (Especially if it Scares You)
We only truly have control over (some) things in the present moment. Instead of “what if?” we want to land on “what is.”
Practice by noticing what is true for you right now. First, recognize what you cannot control: Other people’s actions, feelings, and decisions; the weather; the past. Let those things go. Next, acknowledge what is within your control: Your reactions, choices, mindset, and future. These are ripe with potential for growth and change.
Acknowledging “what is” can require facing hard truths. Sometimes, we fixate on the past or the future because we don’t want to face our current reality. We may avoid the present for a myriad of reasons: finances, health, relationships, career aspirations, or anything else that we are afraid to confront.
Fear is an emotion that instinctually propels us into action. Our bodies are designed to fight or flee in response to fear. When we run away, though, we are powerless to change our reality. We must face our fears. Avoiding them can cause a mental paralysis that keeps us perpetually in an uncomfortable situation.
Taking action releases the emotional charge of fear. Action might look like initiating a conversation, making an apology, admitting that something is not working, asking for help, or making a change.
You likely already know “what is” true for you. So now you need to make the next right decision. One next right decision at a time can move you from the paralysis of living in “what if” into the action of facing “what is.”
When you feel your fears, and take action anyway, you reclaim power over your life and the present moment.
The Power of the Mind
It’s important to note that while this may all seem simple in theory, it’s quite difficult in practice. We can expect roadblocks whenever we attempt to re-route brain circuits designed for detecting danger.
Instead of attempting to work against deeply ingrained mental patterns, we can learn to work with them. Worry and fear are natural emotions and they each have a place in our lives.
However, we do not want worry and fear to have total control. We need strategies to interrupt these cycles and bring us back into “what is.” This is a delicate balance that may require the help of a medical or mental health professional.
If you find yourself stuck in patterns of worry or fear, give yourself grace. Remember that you’re doing exactly what your brain is asking of you – surviving. Keep trying to make the next right decision when you can, and remember to pause and occasionally ask yourself: “What’s the best that could happen?”
Olivia Lynn Schnur is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, EMDR Certified Therapist, Reiki Master, and Certified Yoga Teacher. She writes about mental health and wellness with the goal of educating, inspiring, and uplifting others. To learn more, or to book a yoga session, visit oliviaschnur.com.
