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When the news is all doom and gloom – as it has been since the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic – it may feel hard to stay positive and resilient. But embracing a positive outlook and a resilient and flexible mindset are the exact characteristics that will get us through the hardship that, by now, may feel a little more familiar, but still harbours a lot of uncertainty about the future. Negativity and self-pity are easy emotions to fall victim to, but they are unproductive.
The changing of the seasons has a wonderful way of inspiring a new outlook on life. Now that spring has sprung and new growth and abundant nature are all around us – so too here on the ICA campus grounds and culinary gardens – somehow it releases some of that negativity and in a way inspires us to look around and notice once again all that we can be grateful for.
Now is the time to focus on moving forward, staying ahead and making the most of whatever challenges we might be facing. The best advice for maintaining an optimistic and confident attitude is to practice constant gratitude. Always remember your own “why” in whatever quest you are facing. Check in, dig deep and rest assured that success and joy will follow!
Throughout the pandemic, the entire hospitality industry was hit really hard, but we have seen incredible growth and innovation from all corners of the industry. The ICA would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all our industry partners who were willing when at all possible, to support our students with placements and continued mentorship. Where placements were impossible to attain, our relationship with partners still remains strong and we trust that normalcy will return in due course so that those partners can continue the incredible work they have done in the past and will do in future, helping to shape the next generation of world-class, ICA-trained chefs.
Robert H. Schuller famously said: “Tough times never last, but tough people do”.
In the weeks and months to come, it is becoming increasingly important that we remind ourselves to take a deep breath, look up, notice opportunities around us – which are still plentiful, practice daily gratitude and take the necessary steps to ensure our own growth and success, even if those steps feel hard and difficult. Let’s not take the easy way out. As in the ICA Pâtisserie kitchen, so in life: Patience, perseverance and persistence will lead to perfection.
