Positivity with JT

2/9/2022

Voted one of the Cape’s topmost change makers of 2022 by the Cape Cod Times, Jonathan (JT) Thompson has been spreading his message of “one community, one family” across the region. During the pandemic, when everyone could benefit from an infusion of joy, JT created daily uplifting videos to make folks smile, laugh, and dance while affirming the power of a positive mindset. The videos went viral. Building on that internet success, JT has become a motivational speaker and community activist promoting the power of positivity.

Thompson spoke at All-School meeting today in what felt like a pep rally for the soul and fired up students and faculty to orient themselves toward well-being and happiness. “We all have the power to have a good day,” asserted Thompson, “and we are in control of what kind of day we want to have.” According to Thompson, the first step on the road to positivity is to set the intention and keep course-correcting as needed to return to a positive mindset. When life disappoints, he advised taking time out to talk about it and forgive self and others so that the negativity doesn’t take root. He said, “Feel the hurt, let it out, make amends, and reset!”

Living life with a positive mindset allows one to walk more confidently and lightly through life’s disappointments and recover from setbacks more quickly while increasing one’s capacity for gratitude, explained Thompson. Throughout the presentation, Thompson affirmed that each of us has a special gift to share with the world—that thing that we are uniquely good at and that brings us joy. He asked students to share what they’re good at and what they want to do with their lives. The range of answers included being a professional musician, aerospace engineer, child psychologist, and the President of the United States, which received a round of applause. His question generated excitement around all of life’s possibilities and led to a spontaneous student performance which closed the meeting. After sharing that he’d like to be a professional singer and performer, Tom Tortora ’26 was invited to join Thompson on stage to sing a few bars of one of his favorite tunes. In synchronicity with the theme of the assembly, Tortora chose to sing, “You Will Be Found” from the Broadway musical, Dear Evan Hansen: So let the sun come streaming in 'Cause you'll reach up and you'll rise again Lift your head and look around You will be found You will be found You will be found You will be found You will be found As the students dispersed to go back to class, a senior remarked to himself on the stairs, “That made me feel so good about myself.” Click here to watch Tortora's spontaneous performance. Cover photo by Susan Moffat.