Principal Matthew Patterson on choosing to see the positives in life, including with his students

For Matthew Patterson, he had to learn to choose to see the positive from early in life. At the tender age of 10, he had the misfortune of discovering his father’s body after a successful suicide attempt. Shortly after that tragic loss, he remembers knowing he had to choose to see the positive and seek joy in a life that can be downright dark and discouraging. Now decades later, as a teacher turned principal, he strives to instill the same sense of optimism, resilience, and service in his students. He joins this episode of Relentlessly Resilient to share his story. 

Even though we live in challenging times, we can become Relentlessly Resilient as we lean on and learn from one another’s experiences. Hosts Jennie Taylor and Michelle Scharf are no strangers to overcoming adversity; Michelle lost her husband to cancer, while Jennie’s husband, Major Brent Taylor, was killed in the service of our country. Their stories bond them together, and now listeners can join them weekly as they visit with others enduring challenges and who teach us how they are exercising resiliency, finding value in their grief, and purpose in moving forward. 

Listen to the Relentlessly Resilient Podcast regularly on your favorite platform, at kslpodcasts.com, kslnewsradio.com, or on the KSL NewsRadio App. Join the Resilience conversation on Facebook at @RelentlesslyResilient and Instagram @RelentlesslyResilientPodcast. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.