By DMA Senior Dylan Delcollo

While the Optimistic Mindset class is coming to an end, I can say that I’ve enjoyed every moment of it. In the beginning of the school year, I didn’t know what to expect, but as I adapted to the unique format, I started to love this class. I even inspired some of my friends to transfer into the class because of how much I liked it. This class has inspired me in many different ways. The new ways of looking at things will stay with me throughout my entire life. 

The topic that interested me the most was meditation. Starting early in the course, we would take ten minutes every day before class to meditate. This really helped me realize how much the little things in life matter. I saw how peaceful meditating was. It calmed me down from being stressed out about school work or things going on at home. I still try to meditate every day because it helps me focus on the little things in my life. It also helps me put everything into perspective and to create space between all the things I have to get done. Instead of making a checklist in my head and stressing myself out with all the things I have to do, I can take a few minutes to meditate and focus on one thing at a time. Overall, I have been a happier person since meditation was introduced to me.

Another thing we did in this class was reflection papers. I honestly enjoy writing and reflection papers are a good way for me to reflect on what I am learning in class. I look at these papers as a diary to me. The papers really showed how writing helps me to talk about how I am feeling. I can express how I feel to Mr. Shelton openly and freely. It’s good because I can reflect and realize what I can be doing better in life, or what I am already doing and can keep doing. These papers show how Mr. Shelton makes me feel comfortable talking to him. I can say anything I am feeling, and in class he always checks up on us. If I am sleepy and down one day he will check up on me and make sure I am feeling okay. Honestly, no teacher has ever done that for me and it is nice being able to feel comfortable talking about myself with my teacher.

Overall, this class was a class I never thought I would have taken in my high school years. I am so glad I got the opportunity to take this class with Mr. Shelton. He was always willing to spark up a conversation about anything anyone wanted to talk about. I will never forget this class and all it has taught me over the short period of time I was in it. I have a better perspective and understanding of things I never thought I would deeply understand. I am really thankful I got the privilege my last year at DMA to take a class like this. I encourage everyone who is thinking about taking Optimistic Mindset to do it. This class will help you in many different ways.