Airman Uses Positive Attitude to Help Overcome Adversity

Photo By 1st Lt. Christi Richter | SrA Tyrell Shaw poses for a portrait on January 11, 2019, at the 179th Airlift Wing in Mansfield, Ohio. Shaw works in food services and is a first-term Airman. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christi Richter)  

MANSFIELD, OH, UNITED STATES

01.13.2019

Story by Airman 1st Class Christi Richter 

179th Cyberspace Wing

Winston Churchill once said; “Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.” For Senior Airman Tyrell Shaw, his attitude, or rather, positivity, has made a world of difference in both his personal life and Air Force career.
Shaw works in services at the 179th Airlift Wing in Mansfield, Ohio. He grew up in Mansfield and attended Mansfield Senior High. He was inspired to join the Air National Guard after his younger sister joined:
“My younger sister made me want to join the military,” said Shaw. “She’s younger and a higher rank than me. Seeing her elevate to where she is now and how good she's doing in life made me want the same thing. I thought, let me do it too, and we can shine together.”
Shaw is an African American man and has faced adversity throughout his life surrounding his race.
“I’ve overcome adversity,” said Shaw. “Being an African American is tough. It really doesn't show, I don't like to wear it on my sleeve, but its tough. Growing up African American, it’s always a thing where we have to be better. Not better because we choose to be, better because we have to be. In this world, we are only looked at to go a certain height.”
He continues, however, to put forward a positive attitude and overcome his obstacles.
“Don’t focus on the negative,” said Shaw. “Growing up, when I was younger, everything was negative. I’ve gone through struggles, struggles are a part of life, they’re going to happen. Being African American, those struggles are going to come, whether you like them or not. But you’ve gotta be bigger than those struggles. You’ve gotta be great.”
Shaw continues to look towards the positive, and to find new ways to better himself:
“You have to show that we can do something,” said Shaw. “Get out of here and do something with your life. I want to be better than I was last year. I’m always trying to be better, and having people who care about me like my friends and family, and my family here, it always helps. That’s the best part about every new year, you make something different of yourself.”
Shaw plans on continuing his Air Force career and hopes to inspire others in the process.
“I'm here to stay,” said Shaw. “I plan on reenlisting. At first, I thought I wouldn't but the longer I've been here the more I've realized there are people here who make it worth staying. I like being a role model for other people, other kids in the city that don’t really have role models to look up to. I find that comforting. I like being here.”
Airman Shaw is a great example of how a good attitude and perspective can take you a long way. He continues to look to the bright side and focus on the future, and his attitude has made all the difference.

• Date Taken: 01.13.2019
• Date Posted: 02.01.2019 16:08
• Story ID: 307711
• Location: MANSFIELD, OH, US