One of the lessons I’ve picked up in my twenty-one years is that you can’t make everyone happy. What you can do, though, is stay true to yourself and focus on making a positive difference. Too often it feels like our culture leans toward division and quick criticism, where people are quicker to tear something down than to build something up. But I’ve also learned that life feels a lot lighter when you choose to look for the good. Positivity doesn’t mean ignoring problems — it means recognizing progress, celebrating small wins, and being willing to encourage the people around you. And here in our own community, I’ve been reminded lately that there’s still so much good happening if you take the time to look around.

Walking around town the past two weekends, I’ve noticed some incredible things. The Toledo Bandstand is getting redone — how exciting is that? The hard work of many individuals is coming together to create long-lasting change that benefits everyone. Watching the roof go up on that structure has been such a cool reminder of what’s possible when people roll up their sleeves.

Then you look across the street and see the future Frosted Bliss Bakery. While it isn’t open yet, just seeing action in our downtown area is energizing. It’s a sign of growth, of possibility, of people believing in the future of our town.

And that’s not all. I think about the dedicated members of our community who fundraised enough money for the Safe Routes to School project. In not very long at all, we’ll be getting sidewalks connecting our schools and a traffic light to protect our children. There’s nothing greater than that kind of progress.

As someone studying to be an educator, I’ve also been inspired at our Friday night football games. The team has been playing incredibly well, participation is high, and the stands are filling with more supporters than we’ve seen in a long time. That kind of encouragement means the world to kids, whether they’re on the field or cheering in the crowd.

And of course, my eyes are always drawn to the marching band. I don’t know every student personally, but the ones I’ve gotten to talk to have blown me away with their dedication, work ethic, and character. Watching them perform is not just fun — it’s a reminder of the incredible young adults shaping our future.

The point I’m trying to make is this: it’s easy to criticize, detract, and fill stories with our own assumptions. But kindness, curiosity, and patience will always lead us farther. I choose to uplift and contribute in whichever way I can — whether that’s reporting the facts, volunteering with the marching band, or simply showing up and supporting local events. That’s what I’ll keep doing.

Unapologetically, I’m just Jonathan.