Humans of Harker: Positivity from within

Nastya Sushkova links her optimism to spiritual thinking

%E2%80%9CEveryone+has+goodness+in+them+and+happiness+inside+them+but+sometimes+people+don%E2%80%99t+really+see+it%2C+or+the+current+stress+and+load+of+things+that+are+bothering+them+is+kind+of+blocking+them+from+accessing+that+happiness.+I+think+it%E2%80%99s+important+for+people+to+realize+in+the+midst+of+all+this+craziness+there+is+a+way+for+people+to+be+happy%2C+and+once+you+are+happy%2C+you%E2%80%99re+going+to+be+more+productive+and+more+motivated%2C+Nastya+Sushkova+%2812%29+said.

Shreya Srinivasan

“Everyone has goodness in them and happiness inside them but sometimes people don’t really see it, or the current stress and load of things that are bothering them is kind of blocking them from accessing that happiness. I think it’s important for people to realize in the midst of all this craziness there is a way for people to be happy, and once you are happy, you’re going to be more productive and more motivated,” Nastya Sushkova (12) said.

Sounds of uncontrollable laughter fill the air as Anastasiya “Nastya” Sushkova (12) chats with her friends while walking to her next class, using hand gestures to further give meaning to her stories. Her gentle eyes sparkle in the sunlight as she listens and smiles to the words of those with her.

When asked to describe the senior’s personality, close friends of Nastya use empathetic, understanding, and dependable among others. All share a common theme of kindheartedness.

“I’ve been able to share some of my most difficult challenges and spend some of my most difficult moments with her because I feel so comfortable with her,” close friend Enya Lu (12) said. “There were a lot of things I didn’t feel comfortable sharing with anyone but her because she never judges, just listens and provides a safe space for you.”

Despite facing a difficult second semester in her junior year, Nastya has worked to constantly find ways to gather positive energy within herself and others. Her use of dream journals and lucid dreaming helped her overcome her previous state of mind and have a more optimistic mindset.

“It’s made me more aware of myself and how I interact with other people, especially my friends since those are the people that I interact with the most,” Nastya said. “Because of that, it’s definitely made me a better person sort of reflecting about life and about myself.”

Through spiritual thinking, Nastya has not only begun to take new risks, such as a backpacking trip that she embarked on this summer, but also has found subtle ways to introduce joy into others’ lives.

“I try to spread positivity to other people as much too because random acts of kindness to strangers might make someone’s day, like just by smiling at them,” Nastya said. “I’ve seen it happen firsthand with myself too like someone just randomly smiles at me and it feels amazing.”

Ihita Mandal (12), Nastya’s close friend, recognizes the steps that she has taken to make others’ days brighter or make them smile and support other people. Nastya’s ability to bring energy and humor to conversations helps strengthen her friendships.

“She can tell right away if I have something bothering me and is willing to hear anyone out with their troubles and help them out no matter how busy or troubled she is herself,” Ihita said. “She can be so funny and passionate when she talks about the things she loves and I always feel better after talking with her for just a few minutes.”

Another one of Nastya’s friends since freshman year, Nemo Yang (12), noticed the development of her genuity and kindness, seeing the effort that Nastya put in to bring optimism into others lives.

“Nastya is probably the nicest person I know,” Nemo said. “She just really likes to help people, and she likes to see her friends to be happy. When there’s a disagreement between me or someone she knows, she always steps in and helps to solve the situation.”

Nastya’s reason for taking the time to make even one person’s day comes from her desire to help others find the positivity that she was able to. She believes that by spreading this energy, it will impact others significantly in the future.

“Everyone has goodness in them and happiness inside them but sometimes people don’t really see it, or the current stress and load of things that are bothering them is kind of blocking them from accessing that happiness,” Nastya said. “I think it’s important for people to realize in the midst of all this craziness there is a way for people to be happy, and once you are happy, you’re going to be more productive and more motivated.”